MIDDLETOWN — When members of the United Way Women Living United heard presentations from several organizations seeking financial assistance, one stood out.

“It tugged at everybody,” said Elaine Garver, director of development at Hospice Care of Middletown and a member of the executive committee. “We knew there was a big need. We just said, ‘Let’s go for it.’ ”

The group, composed of various community leaders, will hold a fundraising Imagination Brunch on May 1.

Proceeds from the event, the first for the group, are earmarked for the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which will provide free books for children from birth to age 5 in the Edgewood, Madison and Monroe school districts.

Garver called the brunch “the first step in our journey.”

Right now, the Imagination Library is funded by the Middletown Community Foundation and serves students in the Middletown City School District. It’s time to expand the program to bordering communities, the women said.

Garver and Ginger Bruggeman, from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati-Middletown Area, said about $50,000 is required to fund the book program for two years.

They estimate the cost at $28 per child, per year.

Bruggeman said the group didn’t want to kick off the program until it had “a good base of dollars.”

They didn’t want to give books to any child until enough money was raised to assist children in all districts.

Garver said it’s exciting because the initial program will have measurable results. After several years, if kindergarten readiness scores increase, the book program will be successful, Garver said.

It’s fitting, Garver said, that children will benefit from the women’s group. It’s natural for women to help kids, she said.

“It’s part of our motherly instincts,” she said.

Bruggeman added: “It’s in our DNA.”

The group also hopes to donate gentle-used books to local prisons, courtrooms and the Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

 Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.