Family gift launches Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate for Altoona families

The Altoona Area School District Foundation announced a donation to help establish and expand a Dolly Parton Imagination Library affiliate for Altoona families, honoring longtime educator Dr. Malloy.

The affiliate will allow children from birth through age 5 to receive a free book every month at home. The foundation and donors — including family members of Dr. Malloy and local supporters such as Judge Dan Milliron and his wife, Debbie — presented the gift and invited Dr. Malloy and his family to the meeting.

“Early literacy is the foundation for all academic success,” Greg Malloy said as he described the family’s gift to honor his father’s decades of service. Dr. Malloy, who served the district for more than four decades, thanked the board and reflected on his career.

Program details and scope: The presenter said the local affiliate began with 28 children and has grown to more than 950 participants. She described the per-child expense as roughly ‘‘around $2.52–$2.60 per child’’ as stated at the meeting, and emphasized that costs scale with enrollment. The presenter also noted the foundation must operate as a 501(c)(3) affiliate to run the program locally and that, in this instance, the program is intended for Altoona families within specified ZIP codes referenced at the meeting.

Why this matters: Research and board members cited early literacy as key to academic success; the donation both honors a long-serving educator and expands an outreach program that delivers books directly to children’s homes.

What’s next: The foundation will receive and manage the gift and the board will coordinate publicity and enrollment. The board asked to recognize the donors and take a group photo with Dr. Malloy and program staff at the meeting’s close.