Through a new collaboration with the Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy and a local community action team, United Way is contributing some of its Project Ready for School funds to offer early childhood development resources to children in Dade County, including free books.

Because of a successful campaign in North Georgia last year, United Way of Greater Chattanooga has been able to provide Dade County’s Ferst Foundation program with some initial funding to enroll children immediately. Once a child is enrolled in the program, they will receive a free Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library hardback book in the mail each month until age five along with newsletters that includes literacy support services and community literacy event updates.

“It has been our goal to see that every family in Georgia has the books they need to read daily to their children before they enter school,” said Robin Ferst Houser, Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy founder. “We are excited that the United Way has joined us and a dedicated local team to bring this successful program to Dade County. We can only imagine the possibilities when every child is enrolled and receiving their own special book in the mail.”

In order to sustain the program and to provide the resources to a greater number of Dade’s children, additional funds must be raised by the Dade County Community Action Team through donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events. At a cost of $30 per child per year, the local Community Action Team will be looking for community support to raise additional funds for all eligible children in the county. Dade County has approximately 890 children under the age of five, all of whom are eligible to enroll in the Ferst Foundation Program.

As part of its first fundraising project, the local community action team will be selling $30 coupons through Jan. 8 for beauty sessions for their Pampered Lady event. The event will be held Jan. 22 and will include beauty services such as manicures and facials performed by local professionals. All proceeds for the event will benefit the Dade County Ferst Foundation Program. To purchase a Pampered Lady session or to sponsor a child with a $30 donation, call Becky Page at 657-7273.

Due to United Way’s Project Ready for School funds, Dade County already has enough money for 175 children to receive one full year of resources.

In addition to the Ferst Foundation Program’s resources, United Way provides free parenting classes and parent/child kits through its Project Ready for School initiative. To enroll a child, contact United Way at (423) 752-0300.

The Ferst Foundation Program has been brought to Dade County through a partnership with the United Way and the efforts of local volunteers. These local volunteers created the Dade County Community Action Team. Representatives on this local team are from DADE FIRST—Family Connection, the Dade County School System, the Health Department, the Department of Family Children Services, the Head Start program, and the Primary Health Care Center.

United Way of Greater Chattanooga funds local programs that improve community health, strengthen families, and assure readiness for school and work. Thanks to an endowment fund that covers all overhead and administrative expenses, one hundred percent of contributions go directly to these services that help individuals and families in greater Chattanooga, including northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Additionally, all undesignated funds raised in North Georgia through United Way’s annual campaign will stay there, ensuring that North Georgia residents will directly benefit from local dollars contributed to the campaign.