United Way raises $15K to support literacy for children

The results are in and the purse’s power is strong.

The event Power of the Purse” that was put on by the United Way of Clark County this month collected more than $15,000 to donate towards early childhood literacy.

“What that means is around 600 children as a result of these incredible women and our sponsors will be able to receive books in their homes,” United Way Director Kerry Lee Pedraza said.

The United Way teamed up with the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and by doing so will help 600 children ages 0 to 5 get a free age appropriate book mailed to their home each month. Pedraza said the goal was to help give children in the area as many tools as possible to be successful before they start kindergarten.

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“There is no greater cause to get behind than children,” she said. “Literacy and reading are the foundations to everything that helps a child become successful adult.”

She said close to 300 women attended the event.

“Power of the Purse was an event we put together to specifically bring women together to show the power that they can have when they come together to support a cause,” Pedraza said.

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Though the event was a major success, there are many more children that need served, she said.

“It’s a drop in the bucket to where we need to be but for a first event we are so pleased,” Pedraza said. But by nature, I truly believe people are giving.

“If you provide children with the right tools it is going to help them be successful,” she said.

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