A Lifetime of Learning Starts with a Book
Funding Books for Local Children
You’re Invited
Launch Party
Please join us Saturday, November 7, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Family Resource Center in the Oakwood Mall for the public Launch Party for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library campaign.
A special presentation by local author B.J. Hollars will take place at 11 a.m., offering reflections on Dolly Parton’s legacy, literacy, storytelling, and the power of community investment in early childhood. It is also when we will unveil the donor bookshelf.
RSVP Here
A Lifetime of Learning Starts with a Book
Funding Books for Local Children
The Imagination Fund
Join us and help permanently fund Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Eau Claire County, giving every child, from birth to age 5, the chance to grow up surrounded by stories, language, and possibility.
Together, we’re raising $1.6 million to make this program available for generations to come.
Why Now?
Since 2022, the Family Resource Center has delivered more than 50,000 free, high-quality books to 2,700 Eau Claire County children through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program.
At a cost of just under $3 per book, the Imagination Library is one of the most cost-effective literacy interventions available.
The funding for this transformational program will sunset in 2027, when the Imagination Fund will take over.
Our goal of $1.6 million by October 2027 will fund the program in perpetuity and provide more than 22,000 books each year to children in Eau Claire County.
Your Support Makes it Possible
Reading aloud is one of the most effective ways parents can bond with their children and set them up for success in school and in life. However, too many families face barriers to owning books at home, with one-third of local households living below the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) threshold, struggling to afford basic necessities.
Fewer than 40% of Wisconsin third graders are reading at grade level.
Children who fall behind by third grade are 4x more likely to drop out of high school.
Together, we can make a change, one book at a time.
When young children have access to books and parents feel supported to read aloud and with their children, early literacy skills improve, parent-child bonds strengthen, and children are set up for life-long success.
Make Your Gift
We are in the early stages of this campaign when personal support is most critical.
To make a gift or pledge:
Send a check to:
Eau Claire Community Foundation
7 S. Dewey St., Suite 200
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Memo: Imagination Fund
Online donations are available, but we kindly ask that gifts greater than $1,000 be contributed via check.
To sponsor an event:
The Imagination Fund campaign is proud to partner with the Eau Claire Community Foundation to house and manage the capital campaign funds.
Have questions or want to discuss your gift?
Listed below are the individuals involved in the Imagination Fund campaign.
Campaign Co-Chairs:
- Judy Dekan, dekancvbf@gmail.com
- B.J. Hollars, bjhollars@gmail.com
- Flo Sheridan, flosheridan@gmail.com
FRC Executive Director:
- Jennifer Eddy, M.D., director@frcec.org
Eau Claire Community Foundation:
- Joe Carlson, joe.carlson@eccfwi.org
Other Ways to Support the Campaign
Know someone who might want to donate?
We’d love an introduction to others who believe in the power of early literacy.
Stay Informed
Receive monthly updates on the campaign, our milestones, and the children you’re helping us reach.
Share Campaign Materials
Thank You!
Leadership
Committee
- Devin Goska
- Jeff Henson
- B.J. Hollars
- Ann Kaiser
- Marianne Klinkhammer
Steering
Committee
- Judy Dekan (Co-Chair)
- B.J. Hollars (Co-Chair)
- Flo Sheridan (Co-Chair)
- Sharon Asselin
- Joe Carlson
- Wesley Escondo
- Brian Graff
- Ann Kaiser
- Nancy Kerr
- Christine McCorkle
Communications
Committee
- Brook Berg
- Brian Doxsie
- Jennifer Eddy, M.D.
- Ashley Erickson
- Liz Hart
- Wendy McDermott, M.D.
- Mariam Nagi, Ph.D.
- Kristen Norgaard
- Tom Rusboldt
- Flo Sheridan
- Erin Trowbridge
Prospect
Committee
- Sharon Asselin
- Calley O’Neil
- Helen Nordstrom
- Jean Romanshek
- Flo Sheridan