WABASH, IN – Wabash County United Fund is excited to announce that the First Annual Pickleball for a Cause Tournament, hosted by the Wabash Pickleball group, raised $1,225 to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Wabash County.
The two-day tournament brought together players of all skill levels for a weekend of friendly competition while supporting early childhood literacy. Saturday’s matches were held indoors at the Wabash YMCA, with Sunday’s competition taking place at Wabash’s new outdoor pickleball courts. Every dollar raised will help provide free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five throughout Wabash County.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Wabash Pickleball group for choosing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as the beneficiary of this tournament,” said Kelli Dale, Executive Director of Wabash County United Fund. “Their generosity, along with everyone who participated, is helping ensure that local children continue receiving books delivered directly to their mailbox each month. It’s inspiring to see our community come together around something as simple and as powerful as a love of reading.”
Since launching Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Wabash County in August 2024, the program has grown to serve approximately 820 local children each month. Every enrolled child receives a free, age-appropriate book delivered directly to their mailbox each month from birth until their fifth birthday, helping build early literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading. While the books are free to families, the program relies on local support. Wabash County United Fund partners with the Indiana State Library Foundation to share the cost of the program, making community donations and fundraisers like this tournament essential to its continued success.
Wabash County United Fund extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Wabash Pickleball group for organizing this outstanding event, as well as every player, volunteer, and supporter who made the tournament a success. A special thank you goes to the Wabash YMCA for hosting Saturday’s indoor tournament and to Wabash City Parks & Recreation for providing the new outdoor pickleball courts for Sunday’s competition. Their partnership helped create a fantastic tournament experience while supporting the youngest readers in our community.
Tournament Director Shawkey Khan summed up the spirit of the event perfectly: “Together we are strong.” That message was evident throughout the weekend as players, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners came together to help ensure more Wabash County children receive the gift of reading, one mailbox and one story at a time.
Families interested in enrolling their child in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library or community members wishing to support the program can learn more by visiting the DPIL page at www.wcunitedfund.org. To donate directly to Wabash County’s Imagination Library please contact Executive Director, Kelli Dale, at kdale@wcunitedfund.org or call 260-563-6726 for more information. —About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is an international early literacy program that mails free, high-quality books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five. Wabash County United Fund serves as the local program partner, ensuring every eligible child in Wabash County has the opportunity to build a home library and develop a lifelong love of reading.
