Commentary: Lewis County Imagination Library safe because community never let up

With a $16 million state budget shortfall expected for the 2025–2027 biennium, agencies across Washington prepared for tough decisions.

When the final budget passed on April 26, it included a total cut of funding for the Imagination Library of Washington — ending the state’s two-year, 50/50 match for local partner agencies distributing free monthly books to children under the age of 5.

Statewide, over 121,000 children benefit from the program, including more than 2,500 in Lewis County.

The loss of state support has raised serious concerns about the program’s future. For many communities, state matching dollars were what made participation possible. Without them, some face the difficult decision of scaling back or shutting down.

Fortunately, Lewis County is not one of those communities.

When the Lewis County Rotary Foundation and the United Way of Lewis County launched the program locally in 2019, there was no expectation of state support. Inspired by the program’s proven benefits — stronger early literacy, social development and emotional wellbeing — local Rotarians raised $20,000 in just a few months. A memorandum of understanding between United Way and Rotary cemented the partnership: United Way would handle administration and Rotary would fundraise and advocate. Since then, the program has grown and thrived, with over $268,000 raised to date, much of it through Rotary-led efforts.

In 2022, thanks in large part to the advocacy of state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, the state stepped in with matching funds — an unexpected but welcome boost.

Still, even when those dollars arrived, our community never let up. United Way donors and Rotarians continued giving to make sure no child in Lewis County was left out.

So what does the budget cut mean here?

For now, nothing changes.

Thanks to years of diligent fundraising and community commitment, Lewis County’s Imagination Library remains strong.

But to stay that way, we need your help more than ever.

It costs just $31 to support a child in the program for the year. With over 2,500 local kids currently receiving books, the need is real — but so is the opportunity.

On Saturday, May 17, join us for Dolly Day Lewis County at The Juice Box. Enjoy music by Cascade Country artist Kitty Mae, bid on exciting silent auction items — including a stay in Cabo San Lucas — and help keep books in the hands of Lewis County kids. Every dollar raised supports the Imagination Library thanks to generous sponsorship from Pacific Mobile Structures.

Can’t make the event? You can still make a difference. Visit www.lewiscountyuw.com and become a monthly donor — $31 a month sponsors 12 children a year. Even $10 a month helps turn the page toward a brighter future.

In Lewis County, we don’t wait for someone else to do it. We step up — for our neighbors, for our kids, and for what matters.

Let’s do it again.

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Chris Judd is the resource development director for the United Way of Lewis County.