Daytona Beach, Fla. – Just when you thought Linda Mahran couldn’t get any more awesome, she proves us all wrong. The longtime Flagler County community champion is back with a game-changing initiative—introducing the Flagler County Early Literacy Endowment. This exciting new project is a golden opportunity for local residents to support children’s literacy and create a lasting impact on the community, all while ensuring our youngest readers get a solid start in life.

In partnership with the Community Foundation and United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties (CF/UWVFC), Linda’s vision is clear: give every child in Flagler County—ages birth to five—a monthly dose of reading magic with free, age-appropriate books. The goal? To help foster early literacy habits, ignite a lifelong love of reading, and make sure every child is school-ready.

One of the shining stars of this initiative? The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. This incredible program sends books straight to enrolled kids’ doors each month. The Early Learning Coalition runs the show locally, raising funds to cover monthly operating costs that exceed $6,000. But here’s the twist—Linda and the endowment aim to grow so big that the endowment can cover those costs all on its own, year after year, without relying on fundraising marathons. How cool is that?

As Linda says, “The Flagler County Early Literacy Endowment was established to provide a financial tool to ensure the sustainability of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for Flagler County. Supporting early literacy is important to me because of the impact literacy has on our community. Increasing reading at grade level by the end of third grade can positively impact the economy as students are more likely to graduate high school and be better prepared for the workforce. It has a multi-generational effect—literacy can help break poverty cycles.”

Linda’s not just passionate about reading—she’s continuing her mission to change lives. She truly believes that investing in early literacy has measurable benefits for our community, and she’s calling on Flagler County residents to help her make a lasting impact.

“Linda’s donation is an investment in children in Flagler County and a charge to the whole community to support literacy at the most basic levels,” said Courtney Edgcomb, President and CEO of CF/UWVFC. “The funds granted from this Literacy Endowment will encourage families and uplift children for generations.”

And Linda’s message to her community? It’s simple, let’s make a difference together.

“For those who are able to donate in a significant, meaningful way, please consider investing in the endowment,” Mahran says. “Please join me and invest in our children and impact our future.”

Ready to join Linda in making Flagler County the most literacy-loving place around? You can donate and learn more by visiting https://bit.ly/FlaglerLiteracy.

Thank You, Linda!

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