DPIL luncheon raises $60,000
Two hundred people attended The Books Make Brighter Futures Luncheon held on Tuesday March 3rd and raised almost $60,000 with money still coming in. This luncheon, sponsored by the United Rotary Clubs of Southern Oregon and Jackson County Library, helps make sure the program is available for future generations of children.
The Medford Rogue Rotary was well represented with seventeen Rotarians and additional guests filling three tables in support of the event. Club Member Phil Meyer, CEO of So. Oregon PBS, did an excellent job emceeing the event for the third consecutive year. And a special shout out to John VanSickle, from our Club’s Technology team, for setting up and operating the audio and visual for this event again this year.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library’s mission is to foster a love for reading among preschool children and to ensure that every child, regardless of their family’s income, has access to high-quality, age-appropriate books. The program aims to inspire a love of learning and promote early literacy skills in young children, setting the stage for their future academic success.
Over 74,000 children in Oregon are now enrolled in the program, representing 35% of those eligible. This is compared to a national average of only 16%. And, in Jackson County 43% of the total eligible population are enrolled! Great job to all of those dedicated volunteers driving this program in our state and county.