Shawnee, OK — United Way of Eastern Frontier Country (UWEFC) has launched a new partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, making free books available to children under age 5 in Seminole, Wewoka, Holdenville, Wetumka, Davenport, and surrounding rural communities.
Families can enroll to receive age-appropriate books mailed monthly at no cost by visiting imaginationlibrary.com. The organization partnered with local libraries for Imagination Library Kickoff Parties at the Holdenville, Seminole, and Wewoka libraries, where children receive “The Little Engine That Could” as their welcome book.
The Wewoka Public Library hosted an in-person registration event on December 9, 2024, from 4:00–5:30 PM.
Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative provided matching grant funding through its Operation Round Up program. A spokesperson noted: “By rounding up their monthly electric bills, our participating members are making a meaningful impact on early childhood literacy.”
Executive Director Sandy Vanderburg stated: “Since launching the program in the last week of October, we’ve already had 254 children register! Our goal is to enroll every child possible in our service area.”
UWEFC serves Pottawatomie, Seminole, Hughes, and Lincoln counties through 21 partner agencies as an independent 501(c)(3) organization.