Caring Hearts of West Central Iowa will be taking over sponsorship for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for Carroll and Greene Counties. The program offers children aged 0 to 5 years old a free book each month through the mail, promoting the importance of early literacy. Along with the Dollywood Foundation, the project is partially funded by the local libraries or other organizations to provide the service in specific areas. Originally sponsored through Our Community Health Foundation and Partnerships 4 Families, the organizations looked for a new financial supporter for the program following the pending retirements of Jo Rassumsun and Cindy Duhrkopf. Duhrkopf says, “We wanted to ensure that the program continued for the children enrolled and for the future. Caring Hearts didn’t hesitate when asked and was willing to take on both counties, as they now have offices in Carroll and Jefferson.” Caring Hearts has expanded its services from focusing on individuals with disabilities to establishing a crisis home, a backpack program, and other gap services in the communities it serves. Duhrkopf says, “Current children enrolled in the Imagination Library will not see a skip in their monthly book-gifting project. Funds previously raised for the project will be used to support continued enrollment. Future fundraising will be done by Caring Hearts.” Donors will now need to make donations to Caring Hearts of West Central Iowa. Further questions can be directed to Caring Hearts Executive Director Joellen Buerckley by emailing jbuerckley@caringheartswcia.org or calling 712-775-2726. Those wishing to sign their children up can do so using the link included below.
