Greenwell Springs, Louisiana – DEMCO launched a funding partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) today in St. Helena Parish with administrative partner and local affiliate Volunteers of America. First Lady Donna Edwards welcomed children and caregivers gathered at the Dennis Mills Early Learning Center.
In a pre-recorded video message, Mrs. Edwards thanked DEMCO for providing funding to support literacy for children. [You can view and download the video by visiting: https://www.dropbox.com/s/df9um00cmoxcm1h/Video%20Dec%2007%2C%2010%2059%2026%20AM.mov?dl=0.]
“This program funded in partnership with DEMCO demonstrates their commitment to their co-op members and the communities they serve, so we thank them for their commitment to enriching children’s lives through reading,” said Mrs. Edwards. “This program certainly inspires a love of reading - how exciting it is to go to the mailbox each month to find your special book!”
DEMCO vice president of marketing and member services David Latona read the book Stormy Night to the children and guests. “A co-op is more than a monthly bill, and this book-gifting program is a meaningful way to add lasting value to members’ lives,” said Latona.
The DPIL is a program for children ages 0-5 to inspire a love of reading. DEMCO is the sponsor for this program in St. Helena parish. Participation in the program is free. Each month a new, carefully selected book will be mailed to each child registered in the program.
DEMCO invites residents of St. Helena parish to register any child age 0-5 in the program. “Anyone can participate, you don’t have to be a DEMCO member,” says Chanon Martin, DEMCO community relations specialist. “DEMCO knows that investing in youth is a meaningful way to invest in the communities we serve.”
Eight to ten weeks after your registration form has been received, one book will arrive each month in the mail addressed to the child enrolled in the program at their home address.
DPIL is a grassroots literacy program created by the country music star that mails one new, free book each month to any child 5 years old and younger. Nearly 2 million children in the United States and four other countries receive age-appropriate books, each with a personalized label and a message from Parton herself.
For more information or to register a child 0-5 years old who resides in St. Helena Parish, visit https://demco.org/community/imaginationlibrary.
DEMCO powers 113,500+ meters that serve over half a million people in a seven-parish service area of Southeast Louisiana:
Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, and West Feliciana.
