FROM INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING

First Lady Maureen Braun announced Wednesday a major donation to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Indiana.

The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is contributing $500,000 to the early childhood literacy program, which provides free books to children from birth to age 5.

The funding comes after the state cut its support earlier this year. Governor Mike Braun’s administration eliminated the $6 million in state funding previously secured by former Governor Eric Holcomb in 2023.

First Lady Braun was tasked with finding private financial backing to keep the statewide program running.

CenterPoint Energy Foundation Vice President June Deadrick said the donation supports the long-term wellbeing of Indiana children. “We are very proud to help the First Lady and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to provide books — the very tools needed — to ensure that Indiana has the young readers of today who will become your state leaders of tomorrow,” she said.

The Imagination Library is a nonprofit that mails age-appropriate books to children every month at no cost to families.