The Brainerd Elks joined the Brainerd Public Library, Kitchigami Regional Library, Friends of the Brainerd Public Library and the Lakes Area United Way on March 21st for a first time event. The Once Upon a Storytime activity was a successful new initiative that falls under our Youth Activities banner and was the culmination of our fundraising and ENF Grant for the Imagination Library. In years past we have supported Imagination Library with ENF dollars and have volunteered at the “Llama Llama Read O Rama,” but due to the timing of a leadership change at the Untied Way that event was shelved for one year. (It’s returning in July! YEAH!!!)

Once Upon a Storytime gave us Elks an opportunity to read some wonderful children’s books to an audience of local young people. In addition we were able to present our contribution to the United Way for use in the implementation of the Imagination Library. Amanda Allord headed up a fundraiser at the Elks Club and raised $303 which was added to our ENF Grant for $2000 to help take kids of the waiting list and start putting books in their hands today! 

Lucy Christiansen, UW Director tells us that there are over 200 children in the Brainerd Lakes Area now on the waiting list because funding of the program is needed. Sponsoring a child through Imagination Library is a great way to encourage early childhood literacy. Research demonstrates literacy rates at the beginning of kindergarten are strong indicators of future academic and professional success. By investing in Imagination Library, we invest in our youngest generation and our community as a whole. For only $30, you can give a child the gift of literacy by providing them with one book each month for an entire year. This donation multiplies tenfold to be a large impact on a child's future. 

Our ENF Grants are made possible by our members contributions to the Elks National Foundation each year. Thank you to each of you who contribute to ENF with your dues or Fidelity Club.

Lucy Christensen and Amanda Allord with the big check that will be used to support the Imagineation Lirbrary Project