By SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — United Way of Reno County helped deliver a new resource for children to Hutchinson firefighters Friday morning, with a little help from “Dolly Parton.”
Christina Weber, co-chair of United Way of Reno County, dressed as Parton as the organization delivered books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Hutchinson Fire Department Station No. 1.
The delivery marked the launch of a new partnership between United Way and the fire department that will put books into the hands of children firefighters encounter during emergency calls and community events.
The partnership launched on the first Give Like Dolly Day, an initiative designed to celebrate Parton’s legacy and support programs focused on children and literacy.
United Way of Reno County Development Manager Elizabeth Walton said the partnership gives the organization another way to expand the reach of the Imagination Library throughout the community.
“We are taking an opportunity to expand some of the books that we are able to get out into the community through the Hutchinson Fire Department,” Walton said.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides free, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth through age 5. Walton said about 2,000 children currently participate in the program in Reno County, meaning approximately 2,000 books are distributed locally each month.
The idea for the fire department partnership began after Walton reached out to the department. EMS Training Capt. Rebecca Mendoza said firefighters quickly saw an opportunity to use the books to help children during stressful situations.
“We thought it would be a great idea to be able to get these books into little people’s hands, especially during traumatic situations, either what they’re dealing with with family or themselves,” Mendoza said.
Community Risk Specialist and External Standards Manager Wade Mirasol said firefighters already carry what the department calls “trauma teddies” on its trucks to give to children during fires, medical calls and other emergencies.
The book packets will give firefighters another option for younger children.
“These book packets can take the place of our trauma teddies for the age groups that we’re talking about here,” Mirasol said. “Just something that we can do to maybe help alleviate some of the stress that those children may be feeling at that point.”
The packets will also include fire safety information from the Hutchinson Fire Department. Mirasol said materials can be updated throughout the year and will include information tied to Fire Prevention Week and other safety topics.
The books will not be limited to emergency calls. The fire department also plans to make Imagination Library materials available during community events, including school visits, library events and Touch-a-Truck activities.
Mirasol said registration information will be included so families who are not already participating in the Imagination Library can enroll their children.
Walton said there are no income requirements to participate in the program. Any Kansas child from birth through age 5 is eligible, and families can enroll children at any point before they age out of the program.
She said donations to United Way of Reno County help cover the local cost of getting books into homes.
“People are so generous in Reno County,” Walton said. “They donate to the United Way, and we use some of those funds for the Imagination Library, so we can provide free shipping to all of these families each month.”
Mendoza said the partnership also fits with the fire department’s continued effort to stay involved with children and families throughout Reno County.
“We love community events,” Mendoza said. “We’re really excited about making sure that the kids around Reno County are being taken care of with school supplies and reading materials, and just letting them get more educated.”
Families interested in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library can register through United Way of Reno County’s website or contact the United Way office for assistance.
“Hutch Fire would really like to thank Reno County United Way for partnering with us on this,” Mirasol said. “We think this is going to be a great program and something that we all look forward to doing with them for the community of Hutchinson.”