Eastern Shore Literacy Council

FALL 2025 SMALL COMMUNITY GRANT: Delivering Books — and a Love of Reading — to Every Doorstep

Grant Amount: $7,000

Reach: More than 850 children ages birth to five and their families across Virginia's Eastern Shore

Project: ESVCF funding covered book costs and mailing fees for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program operated by the Eastern Shore Literacy Council that delivers a free, age-appropriate book directly to enrolled children's homes every month, at no cost to families.

Impact: Over the 6-month grant period, 6,163 books arrived in Eastern Shore mailboxes, including 113 welcome books (The Little Engine That Could) for newly enrolled children and 150 graduation books (Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come) for those completing the program and heading to kindergarten. Forty-seven newborns enrolled in the program will receive up to 60 books before they turn five through this program. One parent wrote: "Every book has been interesting and my child has loved reading each one. Your thoughtful gifts have helped nurture her love of reading… we are truly grateful for your support and wish your organization continued success in inspiring young readers."

Why It Matters: On the Eastern Shore, transportation and financial barriers can make consistent access to books a real challenge for families. Imagination Library removes both obstacles by bringing books directly to children each month, building home libraries, strengthening the caregiver-child bond through shared reading, and giving kids a meaningful head start before they ever set foot in a classroom. What begins as a monthly package becomes something much larger: a habit, a love, and a lifelong relationship with reading.