Shop for a Cause – Dream Big Kids – Make a Difference
Today, I am sharing exciting news about what’s been going on in my world. Specifically my new Shop for a Cause merchandise.
Last year, quite a bit of my time was involved in setting up a nonprofit called Dream Big Kids. This all came about because I wanted to become an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I first heard about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library after the birth of my first grandchild who lives in another state. Through a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, children can receive a free book each month. It is addressed to the child and mailed directly to their home. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library brings high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. The program is designed to inspire a love of reading from an early age and to help children develop the skills they need to succeed academically and in life.
I loved reading to my children at bedtime and on long vacation car rides. Our vacation favorite was the Hank the Cowdog series which kept both the children and the driver entertained. I believe strongly that reading is a foundation for success in life. It opens new worlds and possibilities, sparks the imagination, and inspires creativity. Reading to a child also helps build a strong bond between the child and the reader, whether it be a parent, grandparent, or other caregivers. I want to ensure that every pre-school child living in my community has access to books and the chance to discover the magic of reading.
To become an affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the affiliate has to be sponsored by a nonprofit. I didn’t find a local nonprofit that I could work with so I went about starting my own. You can read more about Dream Big Kids and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at our website. To date, we have 148 children enrolled. Our goal is to double that number by year-end. In addition to signing up children and spreading the word, our job is to raise funds to pay for the books that are mailed each month. I have recently started selling T-shirts and other merchandise in my shop. The industry calls these Print On Demand products. I create the design and then a print provider prints and ships the items. The profits of these sales will go directly to supporting our mission to get books into the hands of preschoolers in our community. The items will cover a variety of themes that I am passionate about. Everything from reading to glass art, and even to pickle ball! I will be adding more items in the months ahead. So please take a look, and shop for a cause.
