GRAND
ISLAND, NEBRASKA (July 21, 2025) Parents and kids are looking back at
the impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of the Heartland United
Way as its biggest fundraiser hits a milestone.
Imagination
Bacon turns 10 this year. For the past decade, thousands of people have
come together to sample unlimited craft beers, wines, and unique,
mouth-watering bacon appetizers in an effort to put books in the hands
of local kids.
Since
2015, when Imagination Bacon began, 12,200 children in Hall, Hamilton,
Howard, and Merrick Counties have participated in the Imagination
Library program.
“Imagination
Library set my now almost 11-year-old up to be a voracious reader. We
didn't have a lot of money then and we couldn't afford to buy lots of
books. We also had an immune compromised preemie who couldn't go to the
library story times. We loved going to the mailbox and getting our new
book each month and were sad when it ended. Imagination Library is a
gift,” said Teresa Segelken, whose child was enrolled in the program in
2015.
On
August 1, The Talbott Brothers take the stage at the Heartland Events
Center as we celebrate a decade of bacon and brews for books. A $35
ticket ($40 at the door) gets you unlimited samplings of savory bacon
bites and delicious craft brews, in addition to a pulled pork sandwich
meal and a 10-year commemorative souvenir tasting glass with a design
you’ll only see this year. Plus, you’ll have opportunities to bid on
unique live & silent auction items and experiences as well as a
special diamond raffle provided by Howard’s Jewelry to celebrate 10
years.
All
of this helps the Heartland United Way send a free age-appropriate book
every month in the mail to kids from birth to age 5 through Dolly
Parton’s Imagination Library. More than 3,000 kids are currently
enrolled in the program in our area. Graduates over the last year total
734.
“Hands
down I know that it helped her,” said Natalie Foulk of her daughter
Vandaley. “She is an avid reader. She’s above average right now in her
grade. She’s going into the 8th grade and she’s at an 8.5, 9th grade
reading level.”
“I
think that if parents see an opportunity to like join this program, I
think they should because it’s really nice for the kids to receive in
the mail,” said Vandaley. “It will help them know more about reading so
when it comes time for school it will make it easier.”
“Back
then we didn't have much money for food let alone books and this
program helped fill our home with a little library of some of our
favorites and introduced us to other stories we may not have otherwise
been able to enjoy,” said Dawn Vogt, whose daughter was part of the
program in 2015.
It
costs the Heartland United Way $30 per year for each child enrolled in
the program. With generous support from community businesses and donors,
this program has remained free and without a waitlist for enrolled
children. Over the last decade, 354,352 books have been mailed to local
children.
“I
really enjoyed getting books that otherwise we probably wouldn't have
read - little snippets into other cultures and traditions,” said Heather
Loseke, whose son was part of the program in 2015.
Thank
you to this year’s Imagination Bacon Whole Hog Sponsors
VenuWorks/Heartland Events Center and Sure Sound and Lighting, as well
as Razorback Sponsors: Hornady Manufacturing, Melodee Anderson, Roses
for You, Copycat Printing & Signs, The Grand Island Independent,
Nebraska State Fair, & Fonner Park. You can find additional generous
sponsors who help make our mission possible by visiting our event
website at imaginationbacon.cbo.io.
The
Heartland United Way began its Imagination Library program in 2013 with
a generous $35,000 grant from Michael Morledge, the late owner of
Credit Management Services.
Imagination Bacon
When: August 1, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Where: Heartland Events Center, Grand Island