Through a $400,000 kick-start grant, Nissan is working with United Way of the Capital Area to provide free books every month to 35,000 eligible Mississippi preschoolers from birth to age 5 through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program.
Nissan is awarding the grant as part of the celebration of its 10th anniversary of operations in Mississippi, according to a news release. The contribution enables United Way of the Capital Area to expand the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to include each child living in Hinds, Madison and Rankin County over the next five years.
“I am thrilled and thankful that United Way and Nissan are joining hands to bring Imagination Library to the kids of the Capital area. It takes special people to do special things and I know we are doing something special in Mississippi,” Dolly Parton, country music legend and founder of Imagination Library, said in the news release.
Imagination Library was created by Parton and is administered locally by United Way of the Capital Area. The grant announcement was made at the Mississippi Children’s Museum in Jackson in an event that included local parents and children, community leaders and Nissan employee volunteers.
“Nissan is committed to improving education programs and opportunities in Mississippi,” Nissan Director of Human Resources Jeffrey Webster said in a news release. “As we celebrate our first 10 years of successful operations in Mississippi, we are pleased to stand with United Way and so many others who are committed to helping children prepare to succeed in school and in life.”
Children throughout the three counties are eligible to participate in the program. Each month, an age-appropriate book will be mailed to participants giving them the potential to build a personal library of up to 60 books. Parents are encouraged to read the books with their children.
“Over the last decade, Nissan has demonstrated a focused commitment to our organization and the community at large,” Carol Burger, president and CEO of United Way of the Capital Area, said in the release. “Today’s announcement stands as further testament to Nissan’s leadership and dedication to promoting educational advancement and will play a key role in securing the future success of our Mississippi youth.”
Parents will be able to enroll their children for the program at local preschools, day care centers, libraries and community events. United Way of the Capital Area will make further announcements as the expanded program rolls out later this year.
