The United Way of Central Minnesota (UWCM) will be hosting its 8th Annual Imagination Library Progressive Dinners on April 1 and 8, with all proceeds benefitting the Imagination Library program.

 

The Imagination Library program was created through a partnership between UWCM and the Dollywood Foundation. Through the program, children from birth until their fifth birthday that live in the UWCM service area can receive a new, age-appropriate book mailed to their home each month. 

 

The program is offered to families at no cost. It’s funded locally by individual donations from parents, community members, corporate gifts and special grants. Last year 10,000 local children received books.

 

“The anticipation of receiving a book in the mail on a monthly basis is just the start of how the Imagination Library gets kids excited about books and reading,” said Lori Johnson, whose son was enrolled in the program. “Each of the 60 books my son received were read by me on multiple occasions. Now as a second grader he’s reading them again on his own!”

 

The Progressive Dinner is a fundraiser for the Imagination Library. Each weekend offers unique themed dinners in an intimate setting. Participants travel to different homes in the area to dine with others who have selected the same cuisine. 

 

The event begins at a reception home where guests enjoy appetizers, beverages and socializing. From there they proceed to their first course home where they are served soup and salad, and next to their main course home for the entrée. Guests finish the evening by returning to the reception home for dessert and beverages.

 

Cuisines are prepared by local volunteer and gourmet chefs, and are hosted at various homes in the community. Each cuisine accommodates 10 to 14 guests. This year’s cuisines can be found at unitedwayhelps.org/progressivedinner/.

 

Progressive Dinner tickets are $125 per person; $90 per ticket is tax deductible. Registration begins at 8 a.m. on Feb. 22 at unitedwayhelps.org/progressivedinner/ or by phone at 320-229-3511. 

 

Families interested in enrolling their children in the Imagination Library program can visit unitedwayhelps.org/home/imagination-library/.