Tara Britton, Southeastern Indiana YMCA Chief Executive Officer. (WRBI Photo)
(Sunman, IN) – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Ripley County received the President’s Award at the Ripley County Community Foundation’s Annual Dinner held Tuesday night at the Sunman American Legion.
The local initiative is a partnership between the Batesville Memorial Public Library, the Osgood/Milan Public Library and Tyson Library and the Southeastern Indiana YMCA.
Imagination Library gifts free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five on a monthly basis, regardless of family income, with a goal of fostering a love of reading at a young age.
Gov. Eric Holcomb signed legislation last year to expand the program to every zip code in the state.
Since Imagination Library was launched in Ripley County on October 1, 2023, more than 700 children have been impacted; 4,300 books have mailed to Ripley County homes, and over 640 kids are enrolled in the program.
The event highlighted the organization’s 2023 accomplishments, celebrated retiring Board of Director members Nancy Durham and Jim Black for their contributions and dedication to the Foundation, and recognized nearly 60 scholarships awarded to 37 students at Ripley County high schools.
In addition, Lilly Endowment Community Scholar Madison Rahschulte received special recognition, and several scholarships were presented at the event to the following recipients.
- Corrine’s Believers Memorial Scholarship: Lexi Swango
- Riley Duerstock Nursing Scholarship: Daniela Blanco
- Marysue (Luhring) Knisley Nursing Schlolarship: Daniela Blanco
A total of 209 grants were awarded by the Foundation in 2023, with more than 29,000 directly impacted.
Genesis: Pathways to Success, an initiative of the Ripley County Community Foundation, plans to attain its own non-profit status in 2024. Both Durham and Black have volunteered to sit on the Genesis Board of Directors.
