United Way of Northwest Louisiana (UWNWLA) announced a $25,000 donation from International Paper Mansfield Mill in support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) in DeSoto Parish. This generous gift helps kick off UWNWLA’s 9-to-5 campaign, which launched on Sept. 25, with a goal of raising $75,000 to benefit children across Northwest Louisiana.

The donation will allow the Imagination Library to continue providing free monthly books to the 6,000+ children currently enrolled and help reduce the 1,300 children on the waitlist, ensuring more kids have access to books before they age out of the program.

According to the Louisiana Department of Education, nearly 60% of children in Northwest Louisiana enter kindergarten without the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond. As the largest DPIL provider in the state, UWNWLA ensures that children from birth to age five receive a book each month at no cost to families. By the time a child completes the program, they can own a personal library of up to 60 books, giving them the foundation for early literacy and school readiness.

The Imagination Library provides access to books for children in families identified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). ALICE represents the growing number of families who work hard but still cannot afford essential needs. For these children, access to books is a critical step toward early literacy and long-term success.

At United Way of Northwest Louisiana, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed,” said Kimberly Williams, Director of Community Impact. “We are deeply grateful to International Paper Mansfield for their generous support.”

If you would like to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and help more children in Northwest Louisiana receive the gift of books visit: unitedwaynwla.harnessgiving.org/campaigns/6648