Raise a Glass to Reading, what a great evening!

On behalf of the Greene County Public Library Foundation and the Library, I want to thank everyone who was able to attend this year’s Raise a Glass to Reading event. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has personal ties here in Greene County and I continued to be inspired at how you join us in leading this cause - both locally and around our state.

The other night, friends and neighbors gathered once again to show that support at Caesar Creek Vineyards. With more and more attendees each year, we changed format to focus on supporting a child’s entire 5-year enrollment in the Imagination Library. Still, nearly 100 of us came together to raise $14,150 for the Imagination Library in Greene County. This contribution alone is enough to support 113 Greene County kids throughout their entire five-year enrollment with a book mailed to their house every month.

Those numbers are impressive but I also hope you’ve seen the stories on social media, or taken time to look through the Impact Report provided at the event. We asked and were overwhelmed by heartwarming personal stories from around Greene County. The Imagination Library supports so many people in so many ways!

I want to say a big thank you to this year’s sponsors Anderson Williamson Insurance, the Rotary Club of Xenia, Aspen Land Title Agency, and to Ed Marrinan and Neil Webster who both donated personally at a sponsor level. Thank you also to United Way of the Greater Dayton Area and Kettering Health for supporting the Imagination Library program here in Greene County. And of course, thank you to our hosts, Caesar Creek Vineyards and Sweets Boutique for catering a lovely meal.

And in closing thank you, Greene County. Your commitment and love for our community drives our mission.

Karl Colón
Executive Director of the Greene County Public Library