Dolly Parton books needs sponsor

The Lloydminster Learning Council Association is hoping an Alberta sponsor will step up to bring books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to more families with children up to age five.

That was one of the reasons for a presentation by Helaynea Croke, Learning Council program coordinator in Lloydminster, at the Rotary Club of Lloydminster’s Monday lunch meeting.

“We are here today to

He teamed up with Videre Images’ Jason Whiting, who he is quick to credit for helping him to capture the drone video footage at Halstead Downs for live-streaming.

“I really appreciated his help because, without him, I probably wouldn’t be here where hopefully acquire some Alberta funding to open that up to the Lloydminster Alberta side as well,” said Croke.

Another reason she said is to spread awareness about the importance of literacy in early childhood, and hopefully get more books in the hands of children.

“Families are able to sign up for a monthly age-appropriate book and it’s absolutely free,” said Croke.

Currently, the book program is only available to families living

I am today,” said Jake. Whiting says they worked together to showcase the CPCA finals with him operating the livestream and Jake flying the drone.

“His drone control and capabilities are quite impressive,” said Whiting.

“It seems like he’s done well at practis - in the Saskatchewan side of the city and surrounding rural areas, thanks to sponsorship from SaskPower. ing and is able to operate that drone very smoothly and effortlessly, which is pretty cool.”

“We wouldn’t be able to do this without our generous community funders,” said Croke.

There are 430 Saskatchewan children currently enrolled to receive 12 free books a year from the Imagination Library, with the books selected by experts in early education.

Roughly $9,480 a year is needed to sponsor an additional 200 Alberta kids in the program.

He says drones are such a big part of today’s world in both photo and video.

Whiting downplays his mentoring role, noting he and Jake didn’t dive too deep into technicalities being so focused on covering the races that day at the Downs.

Croke says the program reduces barriers to books, prepares toddlers for school, helps with language development and provides equal access to books for families with young children.

It also helps families that otherwise may not be able to afford books for their kids.

“I think it is really impactful in that way because there are a lot of different barriers to access books,” said Croke.

“If anything, I just gave him some good tips on what people might want to see if they were watching a live race or something like that, to slow the pace down to keep things centred,” he said.