As National Literacy Month in September came to a close, Amazon, announced a $30,000 donation to United Way of Pierce County (UWPC) to support the ongoing early childhood literacy initiative in the community. In partnership with UWPC and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, this donation will provide 1,400 local children aged 0-5 with 16,800 books over the next year, ensuring each child receives a new book every month.
This contribution strengthens the existing program between UWPC and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which aims to provide equitable access to books and educational resources. The initiative supports early childhood development by delivering age appropriate books to participating families at no cost. By fostering early learning, it helps build a foundation for lifelong success and addresses barriers that contribute to poverty. Access to literacy resources is crucial for empowering families and breaking the cycle of poverty, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Amazon and UWPC celebrated their partnership today with a reading hour at the Sumner Early Learning Center, a preschool in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District, where 34.8 percent of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Dr. Willie Stewart, the first African American principal in Tacoma Public Schools’ history, read aloud to students from You Are a Honey Bee!. Every kindergartener also received a copy of the book, which is the first in a series of STEM nonfiction picture books encouraging young readers to learn about the animals that share their world. Additional attendees included Superintendent of Sumner- Bonney Lake School District, Dr. Laurie Dent, Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Allison Shaffer, UWPC Chief Development Officer Annie Frisbie, and Aaron Sande, Site Leader at the local Amazon Fulfillment Center.
According to the Institute of Education Sciences, the first three years of life are critical for a child’s brain development. By age 2, a child’s brain is active as an adult brain; and, by age 3, a child’s brain is twice as active as an adult brain. If a child is not stimulated during this critical period, learning is much more difficult and less successful for that child, even in a learning-enriched environment.
“Increasing reading and early literacy rates is crucial to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty and achieving our bold goal of lifting 15,000 households out of poverty by 2028,” said Dona Ponepinto, President and CEO of United Way of Pierce County. “By helping children develop a rich vocabulary, self-expression, and reading comprehension, we can equip them with the tools they need to become successful readers and lifelong learners, ultimately breaking free from the cycle of poverty.”
“By participating in this event, I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand the incredible impact this literacy program has on young children and families in our community,” said Dean Allsopp, Amazon community engagement manager and event volunteer. “Putting new books into kids’ hands and fostering a love of reading from an early age is crucial for building an equal foundation for education. I’m proud that Amazon is working alongside the United Way of Pierce County – every child deserves an opportunity to build a strong literacy foundation that will set them up for future success in school and life.”
The books distributed through this program are selected by the National Blue Ribbon Selection Committee, which includes children’s authors, educators, and literacy experts selected by The Dollywood Foundation. The committee ensures that the books are age appropriate and reflect diverse stories, authors, and themes so that all families can see themselves in the stories and literature. Families can enroll now in the Imagination Library program at United Way of Pierce County | (uwpc.org)/imagination library-washington-state. For more information about Amazon’s community impact efforts in the Puget Sound region, visit: Amazon’s impact in Seattle and the Puget Sound region (aboutamazon.com).
About United Way of Pierce County –
United Way of Pierce County has been serving our community since 1921. Our history is rooted in partnerships—bringing people from different walks of life together to improve conditions for children, families, and individuals. While that will never change, our role as a community fundraiser has evolved as the United Way movement has sharpened its focus on solving key community issues that prevent people from reaching their full potential. Today, we are leading change by breaking the cycle of poverty in Pierce County. UNITED, WE WILL LIFT 15,000 FAMILIES OUT OF POVERTY AND
INTO FINANCIAL STABILITY BY 2028, ONE FAMILY AT A TIME. Learn more at https://www.uwpc.org.