Families are invited to don their comfiest sleepwear and join in the fun at Glen Hall Park this Sunday, September 7, for the Pajama Walk and Barbecue, a lively fundraiser hosted by the Humboldt Early Years Family Resource Center.
Running from 10 am to 1 pm, the event is designed to bring families together for an afternoon of activities, food, and fun, all in support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a free book program for young children.
“This is really about building community while supporting early literacy,” said Kelly McLarty, Program Designer at the Humboldt Early Years Family Resource Center. “We’ve got a lot of great activities planned - train rides, face painting, building stations, a water table, and even appearances by Bluey and Bingo!”
Adding to the festivities, the local Co-op has generously donated all materials for the fundraiser barbecue. For just $5, attendees can enjoy a burger, drink, and treat with all proceeds going toward expanding the book program.
“We’re really grateful to the Co-op for their support,” said McLarty. “It allows us to offer a low-cost meal and keep the rest of the event free so that all families can come out, have fun, and support a great cause.”
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides free books to children from birth to age five, delivered monthly right to their homes. The program is entirely free for families, but behind the scenes, it costs approximately $47 per child per year to run, a cost the resource center is hoping to offset through events like this weekend's fundraiser.
“Right now, we’re able to serve about 125 children in our area,” McLarty explained. “But there are around 320 eligible families in Humboldt, and our goal is to get a book into every one of those homes.”
Each book is hand-selected to promote early literacy and a love of reading, a mission McLarty believes is critical to the development of young minds.
“This program helps build a foundation for lifelong learning,” she said. “It gets quality books into the hands of kids who might not otherwise have access, and it’s something tangible families can share together.”
Sunday’s event invites families to walk in their pajamas, a cozy and symbolic nod to bedtime reading routines, and to spend the afternoon enjoying the park, connecting with others, and learning more about how they can support early literacy in Humboldt.
“This is going to be a fun, relaxed day for families,” McLarty said. “Whether you come for the barbecue, the train rides, or just to meet Bluey, every dollar raised helps get books into the hands of children who need them.”