To the editor:
On June 30, 2015, a group of Hancock County citizens came together to work with the Hancock County Community Foundation and the Hancock County Public Library to bring the early literacy program, Imagination Library, to residents of Hancock County.
From November 9 to 13, we asked for donations to fund this program. We would like to thank the many individuals, local businesses, service organizations, schools, churches, and civic groups who contributed to the Imagination Library Endowment Fund so that enrolled children born after Jan. 1 will receive 60 free books by their first day of kindergarten.
We are very appreciative of the multiple articles in the Daily Reporter throughout our campaign and their assistance with printing marketing materials. Thank you for recognizing how this program will enrich our community and signal to the rest of the state of Indiana that there are benefits to living in Hancock County.
To date, donations have been received from 314 individuals, 23 businesses, and more than 40 service organizations/churches/schools. We are also very grateful to Greenfield Banking Co., Hancock Regional Hospital and National Bank of Indianapolis for their multi-year gift commitments.
Our goal for the Imagination Library Express Matching Event was to raise $200,000. We made about 75 percent of our goal; therefore, we are continuing our matching event with a “Show Your Love” campaign beginning in February.
We also ask service and civic groups to consider including contributions to Imagination Library in their annual budgets. Imagination Library Endowment Fund gifts will be matched .50 for $1 as long as match money remains or until March 31, 2016, whichever comes first.
On Jan. 1, Miss Kayla Ball, daughter of Kendra and Michael Ball, became the first baby to enroll in the Imagination Library of Hancock County. How exciting to know our community’s efforts are now benefiting our youngest citizens!
Enrollment forms for resident newborns are available at the Hancock County Public Library, Hancock Regional Hospital, physician’s offices, preschools, churches and other venues across the county. Forms may also be downloaded from the library’s and foundation’s websites: hcplibrary.org and givehcgrowhc.org.
Donations to the Imagination Library endowment may be made online at givehcgrowhc.org or by check to HCCF-IL Fund, 312 E. Main Street, Greenfield, IN, 46140.
Candy Short
Imagination Library Steering Committee Chair
