Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce Names Allegan County Community Foundation as 2026 Chamber Charity of Choice
WAYLAND, MI — The Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that the Allegan County Community Foundation (ACCF) has been selected as the 2026 Chamber Charity of Choice. This designation highlights ACCF’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the community and investing in the future of Allegan County’s children and families.
As the 2026 Charity of Choice, ACCF will receive support through Chamber events and community engagement efforts throughout the year. Funds raised will directly benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), a program dedicated to fostering early childhood literacy by providing free books to young children.
Reading regularly with children during their preschool years provides one of the strongest foundations for lifelong learning. Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, children ages 0–5 receive a new, age-appropriate book each month, mailed directly to their homes at no cost to families. As the local affiliate for the program, ACCF serves the entire county and reaches more than 3,500 children annually—ensuring that every child has the opportunity to build a personal library and develop essential early literacy skills.
“We’ve long known that having books at home—and simply being read to—can make a big difference in how ready children are for school and how they do later in life,” said Stephanie Calhoun, President and CEO of ACCF. “Libraries are wonderful community resources, but not every family can get to them easily, whether it’s because of busy schedules, transportation challenges, or distance. That’s what makes the Imagination Library so important. It helps bridge that gap by delivering books right to children’s homes, giving every child a chance to build strong early literacy skills.”
The Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce is honored to partner with ACCF in advancing this impactful initiative. By supporting early literacy, the Chamber and its members are helping to invest in the long-term success of local children, families, and the broader community.
To make a donation, or for additional information about the Allegan County Community Foundation or how to support the Imagination Library program, please visit their website at https://alleganfoundation.org/imagination-library or contact their office directly at 269.673.8344.
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