Washington County, OH — The Match the Imagination campaign is more than halfway to its $20,000 goal.

Marietta Community Foundation launched the campaign on Monday, February 7, and announced that they would be matching donations to the Washington County Imagination Library fund dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000.  

Thanks to the generosity of 23 donors, a total of $13,704 has been raised thus far. With the Foundation’s match, this equates to $27,408 toward the fund.

“We believe that investing in early childhood literacy will better prepare children for school and help them to become thriving members of society,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation.

“When a person or business supports the program, they’re not just providing a child a book; they’re helping build a strong foundation for the future leaders of our community,” Allender added.

Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company in partnership with the Spartan Foundation contributed $10,000 in support of the effort. The Spartan Foundation is a charitable private foundation that is based in Vienna, West Virginia.

"The most important form of education is self-education. The foundation for self-education is reading," said Hap Esbenshade, Chairman and CEO of Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company and President of the Spartan Foundation.

“The amount of support received so far from community members, Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Company, and the Spartan Foundation is a symbol of the Imagination Library’s substantial value,” said Allender. “Every child in Washington County is eligible to take advantage of this program, and these raised funds are the only reason that we can support them doing so.”

Donations will continue to be matched 1:1 until $20,000 has been raised. Gifts can be made online at https://mcfohio.betterworld.org/campaigns/matchtheimagination. Donations via checks are also welcomed. Checks can be sent to Marietta Community Foundation, 100 Putnam Street Marietta, OH 45750, and should include Match the Imagination in the memo.

Children who reside in Washington County can be enrolled in the program through the Ohio Governors Imagination Library website, https://ohioimaginationlibrary.org, or by filling out a form at the Foundation’s office.