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United Way of McLean County | Children’s Literacy Gets a Boost from Power of the Purse

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Children’s Literacy Gets a Boost from Power of the Purse

26 Jul 2024

Power Of The Purse Women United Children's Literacy School Readiness Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

What happens when community-minded women band together in support of children’s literacy?!?

More than 1,300 preschoolers in McLean County get free books!

On May 17, more than 130 women gathered for the annual Power of the Purse, hosted by Women United at the DoubleTree in Bloomington. Susan Saunders from WBNQ emceed this lively friends’ night out fundraiser featuring an electronic silent auction for brand-new designer bags from brands like Vera Bradley, COACH, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Dooney & Bourke. Other bids and raffles are always part of the evening, giving attendees the chance to win spa packages, jewelry, and gift baskets.

All proceeds from the evening support thousands of young children in our community who are enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

We want to give a hearty thanks to all the attendees! Your generosity is laying a foundation for future academic success for young children.

In addition, many area community and business leaders donated and sponsored various aspects of the evening:

Jeff Tinervin and the Tinervin Family Foundation stepped up with a donation challenge: if attendees contributed $10,000 in cash donations during the event, they would match it! Every gift mattered, adding $20,000 to the total raised.

Both Bremer Jewelry and Jack Lewis Jewelers hosted raffles; Fox & Hounds Hair Studio & Day Spa sponsored a Heads or Tails game; and Blooming Tree Wealth Management Group sponsored the Dessert Dash.

Local business CEFCU, Little Jewels, Maxwell Counters, Pekin Insurance, and Rivian provided event sponsorships.

Purse Sponsors included: Andy Copenhaver, Edward Jones; Bloomington Modern Dentistry; Dr. Chad Tattini; Crabtree Financial; Orthodontic Associates of Central Illinois; Majestic Interiors; Merle Norman; and Dan Pfeifer, State Farm Agent.

From attendees to sponsors, every one of you was essential for the evening’s success. Thank you for investing in children’s literacy!

DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY

In February 2023, United Way of McLean County launched a chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to promote literacy among preschool aged children by providing access to books. Any child under the age of 5 can register to receive a free book each month.

Enrollment has been incredible! In just about 18 months, more than 4,000 children have received books. According to the 2020 census, McLean County is home to over 8,000 kids under the age of 5. Our aim is to enroll every child in the county, so we’re 50% there!

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