We were honored to join the Governor’s Office and statewide partners for the ceremonial signing of House Bill 4022, a significant milestone in supporting the long-term stability of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Oregon.

This legislation represents a powerful investment in early childhood literacy, ensuring that children across our state will continue to receive the gift of a high-quality, age-appropriate book in the mail every month from birth to age five. By strengthening this program, Oregon is reinforcing its commitment to school readiness, family engagement, and equitable access to early learning resources.

A Milestone for Oregon Families

House Bill 4022 reflects what is possible when community partners, legislators, and advocates come together with a shared vision: every child deserves the opportunity to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Early literacy is one of the most effective predictors of long-term academic success. Programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library remove barriers to access by delivering books directly into homes, helping families build routines around reading together and fostering early language development in the most critical years of brain development.

The ceremonial signing underscored the importance of this work and the collective commitment to ensuring that no child is left without access to books and the joy of reading.

Proud to Serve Columbia County Children

As the Columbia County Affiliate Partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, United Way of Northwest Oregon is proud to serve more than 1,400 local children each month.

These monthly book deliveries are more than just mail—they are moments of connection between caregivers and children, opportunities to build vocabulary, and stepping stones toward kindergarten readiness. For many families, this program is a consistent and trusted source of educational enrichment during a child’s earliest years.

Each book represents a shared investment in a child’s future and a community’s belief in their potential.

Gratitude and Partnership

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Governor’s Office, legislative leaders, and all partners who made this legislation possible. Their leadership helps ensure that Imagination Library continues to grow and reach families who can benefit most.

We also recognize the many local donors, volunteers, early learning partners, and community advocates whose ongoing support makes this program possible in Columbia County and across the region.

Our local Imagination Library program will continue to depend on the generosity of individual donors, businesses, and community fundraisers to maintain and expand local service, ensuring that every eligible child can be reached and supported.

Looking Ahead

With the passage of House Bill 4022, Oregon takes an important step forward in sustaining and strengthening early literacy efforts statewide. At United Way of Northwest Oregon, we remain committed to expanding access, deepening partnerships, and ensuring that every child has the tools they need to start school ready to learn and succeed.

Together, we are building a stronger future—one book, one child, and one community at a time.