CARRINGTON, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The local Imagination Library for Foster County will be funded for the next three years thanks to a recent grant.

Imagination Library was launched in 1995 by Dolly Parton as a way to get pre-schoolers reading early on.

Nicole Threadgold with CHI St. Alexius Health in Carrington says the program today averages around 1 million free books a month in more than five countries.

She added that the Foster County program covers a few different areas and for those it doesn’t cover, there should be opportunity to enroll in their local zipcode.

Threadgold says there is no cost for families to participate because of local donations and grants that allow each child to be enrolled in Imagination Library. She says thanks to a recent grant, they’ll be able to fund the Foster County program for the next three years.

There are currently 119 children receiving books in Foster County with 79 children who have graduated from the program. She adds that they encourage donations anytime to help keep the program going.

If you’re interested in joining the program or making a donation, contact Nicole Threadgold at 701-652-7248 or email a check to:

CHI St. Alexius Health
P.O. Box 461
Carrington, ND 58421

Listen to a full interview with Nicole Threadgold below: