(Facebook/ Dolly Parton Imagine Library - Prince Albert)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community programs

Local reading program looks to brew up much needed funds

Mar 9, 2022 | 8:00 AM

A unique community partnership aims to provide some extra perks to local families.

For the month of March, a portion of sales from specially made coffee at Dr. Javas, whether in store or online, will go to help the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which provides free books to local kids five years of age and younger.

The Cup of Ambition Dark Roast or the Jo-lene Medium Roast are $20 a bag. Local program Chair Estelle Hjertaas said they receive $8 from each bag sold.

“So it’s essentially when you buy one bag of coffee, it’s the equivalent of funding two books,” she said.

Each bag is guaranteed to keep you awake from 9-5. (Facebook/ Dolly Parton Imagination Library – Prince Albert)

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The program has been operating in Prince Albert for a year and to date 400 kids have enrolled. Hjertaas confirmed they’ve had good community support, but added funds are short.

“Everyone is I think crunched from the pandemic and are unable to support as maybe generously as they’d like to so we want to make sure we can keep the program going,” she said.

The cost to run the program each month is roughly $1,300. While administrative costs are covered by the national association, the local affiliate is responsible for paying for the books, which costs $3.50 per book and there’s about 350 active kids. Hjertaas commented they’ve had a great response.

“Some people send us photos, other people comment that they like the books,” she said.

For people interested in volunteering, the best option is to message Hjertaas directly, and her contact information is available through the program’s Facebook group page.

“The biggest thing we need right now is we need help fundraising but we do have some larger events happening in the future that we will certainly need a lot of hands on deck to make things happen,” she said.

Dr. Java’s recently introduced a new website to help local community groups fundraise. Among the other groups that have benefitted are the Waskesiu and St. Louis Fire Departments, as well as the community alcohol strategy, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell