Madison Reading Project Celebrates Two Years Working with Dolly Parton to Bring Free Books to Local Kids

For Immediate Release
January 26, 2024

More Information:
Rowan Childs, (608) 347-7970
Rowan@madisonreadingproject.com
Website: madisonreadingproject.com

Madison Reading Project Celebrates Two Years Working with Dolly Parton to Bring Free Books to Local Kids

MADISON – Madison Reading Project and The Dolly Parton Imagination Library celebrate two successful years of partnering to bring free books to more than 11,250 young Dane County children. 

Last year, Madison Reading Project helped connect thousands of Dane County families to the international Imagination Library book-by-mail program. That’s over 113,650 Imagination Library books received by local children. Any child residing within the boundaries of Dane County can be mailed a free brand-new book every month until their fifth birthday.

“We’re proud to serve as the local affiliate for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library since 2022, helping to get free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to the youngest children in our community,” says Rowan Childs, Madison Reading Project founder/executive director. “It’s our mission to connect our community with free books and literacy resources to ignite a love for reading.”

“Our goal is to reach all of the nearly 7,000 newborn babies in the county with the Imagination Library program and increase awareness with our Baby’s First Pages early literacy program,” says Sarah Burke, Early Literacy Coordinator. “In 2023, we targeted the Imagination Library outreach to newborns at UnityPoint-Meriter and SSM Health St. Mary’s hospitals. 

“We also launched an early literacy Facebook page to help connect local Imagination Library enrollees with content related to child development, tips for reading books with children, information on forthcoming books, and insights from staff literacy experts.”

Funding for Imagination Library is made possible by a grant from the Roots & Wings Foundation, with the mission of helping children grow strong from the roots up.

“Roots & Wings’ continued financial support allows us to grow our outreach to more children,” Childs adds. “As Dolly famously says, ‘When you can read, you can do anything you dream.’ We can’t agree more.”           

Enroll a child at: www.madisonreadingproject.com/imaginationlibrary

Imagination Library is one of several Madison Reading Project literacy programs. Chartered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2014, Madison Reading Project has given more than 500,000 books to children in the greater Dane County area.

Roots & Wings is a family foundation established in 2019 by Judy and Gordon Faulkner. Roots & Wings makes grants across healthcare, early childhood, basic needs, and human rights. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that help low-income children and families reach their full potential through prevention, early intervention, and in-depth programming that changes lives.

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UW-Madison to host Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife Friday, February 9

7475 Mineral Point Road Suite 49 | Madison, Wisconsin | (563) 359-5401

Madison, WI – UW-Madison will host a community blood drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday, February 9 at Library Mall UW Madison Campus, inside Donor Bus.

APPOINTMENTS ARE ENCOURAGED. To schedule, email smurthy@impactlife.org.

What: University of Wisconsin/Madison Community Blood Drive

When: Friday, February 9, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Where: Donor Bus, Library Mall UW Madison Campus, Madison, WI
Appointments: To donate, please contact ImpactLife Madison at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 5808 to locate the drive.

Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 12/15/23 are eligible to give at this drive.

About Blood Donation: Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.

About ImpactLife: ImpactLife is the provider of blood and blood components to more than 125 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. In your area, ImpactLife is the exclusive provider to SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, Stoughton Health.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company: Nominations now open for National Funeral Directors Association’s second annual Inspiration Award

Following a motivational inaugural year, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is pleased to once again sponsor National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) second annual Inspiration Award. Nominations are now open with NFDA accepting submissions through February 16 in recognition of an exceptional woman who has made noteworthy professional contributions to the funeral service industry or related fields.

“I’m excited and honored to be part of the annual Inspiration Award through NGL’s sponsorship. There are many outstanding women in the profession who deserve to be recognized for their successes and have their story shared. I look forward to learning who the next exceptional female that has elevated the funeral service will be,” said Jennifer Kaset, Vice President, Sales and Business Development at NGL.

The 2024 Inspiration Award recipient will be announced during the 2024 Professional Women’s Conference in Savannah, Ga, April 28-30, 2024.

Last year, Kaset had the privilege of presenting the 2023 NFDA Inspiration Award to Ellen Wynn McBrayer. Ellen is a licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer, Certified Celebrant, Certified Funeral Service Practitioner, Certified Preplanning Consultant and is the President and Chief Financial Officer of Jones-Wynn Funeral Homes and Crematory, a third-generation family business.

Click here to learn more, including criteria and guidelines about the NFDA 2024 Inspiration Award.

About NGL

Established in 1909 National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) is an insurance company headquartered in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products. Information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company.

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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Connie Perry, PharmD, Joins M3 Insurance as Managing Director of Pharmacy Solutions

Connie Perry has joined M3 Insurance as the managing director of pharmacy solutions, bringing a new level of expertise, specialization, and service to M3 clients.

In her role, Perry will lead M3’s pharmacy solutions team, using her clinical background as a PharmD and decades of experience in the PBM space to create a comprehensive pharmacy solutions stack for employers and pair it with the transparent and independent approach that has become a signature of M3.

Perry has over 25 years of industry experience and a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy, specializing in critical care during her residency. Her experience spans across various sectors including clinical roles in hospitals, academia and a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) (Walgreens Health Initiatives).

Perry was a lead consultant for national insurance brokers before joining M3. As a seasoned leader, she has successfully led national pharmacy practices and played a pivotal role in launching a pharmacy coalition tailored for mid-market employers.

M3 is excited to welcome Connie Perry, launch our pharmacy solutions specialization, and provide our clients with expanded resources and leverage to strategically manage their pharmacy benefits.

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About M3

M3 is a top insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work.

One Community Bank: Austin Zellner Promoted to AVP – Commercial Banking Officer

January 22, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank

Austin Zellner Promoted to AVP – Commercial Banking Officer

(January 2024) – One Community Bank is excited to announce the promotion of Austin Zellner to AVP – Commercial Banking Officer at its Oregon location.

“Austin has done a tremendous job assisting current clients and developing new business relationships. He has become a key contributor to our commercial PACE program. His primary focus will continue to be establishing and developing relationships with business owners in the community by providing a wide range of financial products and knowledge. We are excited for Austin to take the next step in his career at One Community Bank,” said Dan Carey, Chief Commercial Officer.

“I am thrilled to continue to grow at One Community Bank. I am grateful to be a part of such a client focused, dynamic, and forward-looking team. I look forward to continuing to expand my
business relationship network, and embracing new challenges and opportunities that come,” exclaimed Austin.

Austin has been with One Community Bank for over seven years and started as a Bank Teller.

Over time, he grew a strong passion for commercial banking. He enjoys assisting clients with financing their projects.

In his personal life, he enjoys traveling, watching Wisconsin athletics, golfing, and spending time with his wife, Claire, and their dog.

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One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 15 bank locations and $2.1 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Five years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Adams,
Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.
Austin Zellner NMLS #2175576. OCB NMLS #4106989.