April 2, 2018

Comments for a Cause – Stretching Imaginations

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April is here and it is time for Comments for a Cause. If you have followed It’s Just Life for any length of time you know how excited I get around the first of the month. I delayed the announcement a day because of Easter (nothing should compete with Easter) and am happy today we will share the latest cause.

In March I shared about Georgia Options, Inc. – a wonderful organization that supports people with disabilities to live in their own homes and to have typical life experiences. While I know not a lot of my readers are folks who would be able to use this type of facility due to the location I think we can all agree that it is a pretty great thing. As I see our sweet Carlton struggle more and more each day I wonder what a place like this would have done for him had it been available in Ohio.

A lot of wonderful people stopped by the blog during the month to offer their praise and support for Georgia Options, Inc. and I am thrilled to announce that Chris and I will be making a donation of $225 to this great organization to help their efforts continue.

Reading is such a huge part of my life and it was just a year ago that I was able to put up a Little Free Library as part of my birthday present . If you somehow managed to miss that you can read about it here. I love keeping an eye on it and seeing what folks like to read, the books that they leave behind and the community has truly embraced it. I am in the process of getting another one ready to place as well so you know it is something that is dear to my heart.

I have heard of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for years and have never taken the time to check out what she does. Well, she does a lot. She started the Imagination Library in 1995 and here are some of the milestones.

Program Milestones

In addition to the many awards the organization has received, several milestones have been celebrated throughout the years. With each goal achieved a new one takes its place, creating an ever growing and expanding organizational culture, much like that of Dolly’s always-keep-dreaming mindset.

1995 – Through The Dollywood Foundation, Dolly Parton Founded And Launched Her Imagination Library In Sevier County, Tennessee
2000 – Imagination Library Began A National Replication Effort
2002 – Native American Communities Added
2004 – Imagination Library Goes Statewide In Tennessee
2005 – International Book Committee Formed
2006 – Imagination Library Opens In Canada
2007 – Imagination Library Expands To United Kingdom
2010 – Dolly Presents 25 Millionth Imagination Library Book
2011 – Audio And Braille Books Added
2013 – Dolly’s Imagination Library Expands To Australia
2015 – Dolly Parton License Plates Began Pre-sales In Tennessee
2016 – Imagination Library Begins Sending One Million Books A Month
2017 – Official Dolly Parton License Plate Available In Tennessee Benefiting Imagination Library

Dolly knows the importance of reading and has pledged to get books in the hands of children. Each month thousands of books are distributed to registered children FREE OF CHARGE. Thanks to her generosity and the generosity of many others these books are given with no strings. If you know a child who would love to be a part of this program it is easy to get enrolled. Simply click here to check availability in your area. Services are available in the US, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

Communities can also get involved by becoming Local Champions. There is more information on the website with details about this if you are interested in making a difference within your own community.

What a wonderful gift a book is. I encourage each of you to check out Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for yourself by clicking on the links at the end of this post. Make sure to watch the video that shows exactly the impact that this organization has.

During April each comment left on any post means a 50 cent donation to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. (Donation capped at $500) I love what she has started and the effect that it has had on so many young lives. Comment often and know that you are making a difference one comment at a time.