Hendrick Health partners with United Way of Abilene on free book program

Hendrick Health has partnered with United Way of Abilene to participate in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program that encourages reading books to children. Along with other community partners, Hendrick is helping underwrite the program.

All children (ages newborn – 5) whose parents or guardians enroll them in the program will receive a free book in the mail each month until the child’s 5th birthday.

In addition to financial support, Hendrick Medical Center and Hendrick Medical Center South are providing enrollment information for the reading program to parents or guardians of infants born at the hospitals.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the community’s involvement in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” said Brad Benham, Esq., vice president for Hendrick Medical Center Foundation. “Reading to preschool children is so vital to their development and sets a strong foundation for their language skills. Plus, it’s just a great way to bond with children.”

Singer and songwriting legend Dolly Parton started the free book gifting program in 1995 in her home county in Tennessee. The program spread nationally and internationally and involves local community sponsors. Today, approximately one million quality books are mailed monthly to enrolled children.

Locally, families who reside in Taylor County, as well as select nearby counties, are eligible to participate in the free book program. For more information, visit the United Way of Abilene website unitedwayabilene.org.
 

PHOTO: Hendrick Health pediatric healthcare ambassadors Brother Bear and Sister Bear from The Berenstain Bears are joined by Hendrick Health and United Way of Abilene officials to mark the partnership supporting the local chapter of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.