Ever wonder how Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) brings free books to children around the world and how the program thrives right here in Oregon?
Rotarian Hilly Alexander will take us behind the scenes to share how 1 in 7 children in the USA receive books from DPIL by highlighting how it works in Wilsonville. Find out who selects the books and how the books get into mailboxes. See some examples and discover the joy of reading all over again. Hilly will also share updated numbers from Wilsonville, Oregon, and the US that you can use to brag about the impact we have on early literacy.
Since 2012, the Wilsonville program has mailed over 111,000 books to local children, with additional sponsorship from the Wilsonville Rotary Foundation to reach families at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility.
Come hear how this partnership continues to inspire a lifelong love of reading, one book at a time.
The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets weekly Thursdays at noon to carry out its purpose of providing service and fellowship to members and the Wilsonville community. Guests are welcome. Lunch is available off the menu; please arrive and order by 11:45 a.m. if you are ordering lunch. For more information, email president@wilsonvillerotary.com.
Official bio:
Hilly Alexander has enjoyed a long career in software development and information technology, including tech support, computer programming, testing, software quality assurance, and project management. While still working full time, Hilly began volunteering at the Wilsonville Public Library, which eventually turned into a second career. Some highlights of that second career include serving two terms on the Wilsonville Public Library Board and leading the campaign for the Clackamas County Library District in Wilsonville in 2008.
Hilly currently serves on the Wilsonville Public Library Foundation Board of Directors and is the Executive Director of the Wilsonville Imagination Library, a local partner of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which she considers her best job ever. She still loves putting books back on the shelf and collecting items that library patrons have put on hold.
