I applaud The Chronicle for publishing the front page article about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program.
A couple phone calls would have resulted in a more accurate portrayal of how Lewis County became the second location in Washington State to implement this great program and the first to implement it countywide.
It was the three Rotary clubs of Lewis County — Centralia, Chehalis and Twin Cities Rotary along with the Lewis County Rotary Foundation — that worked together for months, including meetings with two elementary school officials, to generate interest and raise startup funds before approaching United Way of Lewis County (UWLC) and inviting them to administer the program as the “local affiliate” in Lewis County.
I do not in any way wish to minimize the role UWLC plays in the success of this program in Lewis County as local Rotary clubs do not have the paid staff to act as the local affiliate. But it is important for the reputations and future of the three Lewis County Rotary Clubs that the extent of our joint effort and financial contributions that started and sustains this program be recognized.
The article is misleading when it states “a bill to have the program funded half through the United Way of the Pacific Northwest and half through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.”
This may be true statewide, but in Lewis County over 75% of the $208,000 in donations for the Lewis County program have come through Rotary funding efforts, including individual member donations and fundraising events. In addition, the “Lewis County Imagination Library Society” was formed along the Rotary Foundation “Paul Harris Society” model. To become a member of the Lewis County Imagination Library Society, individuals or businesses commit to donate $1,000 per year to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program in Lewis County. As of this time, there are 15 “society” members supporting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Lewis County. Most, if not all of these members are individual Lewis County Rotarians or organizations with Rotary ties.
Rotarians are proud of the ways we contribute to both our communities and important worldwide programs. Our motto is “service above self.” But without recognition for the things we do, we will not attract new, younger members that share our Rotary vision. The proud 100-plus years of contributions to our communities by both Centralia and Chehalis Rotary clubs will become another page of Lewis County history as our membership ages and ceases to serve. Twin Cities Rotary, our younger sibling formed from members of Centralia and Chehalis Rotary clubs, will hopefully continue to grow, thrive and support the Rotary mission.
Unfortunately, the damage has been done. An incorrect image of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program in Lewis County has been created in The Chronicle’s readers’ minds. Nothing will change that now.
Kahle Jennings
Centralia Rotary
