The United Way of Erie County launched the Imagination Library program less than a year ago. It mails free books to children aged 0-5 in Erie County each month. Over 8,000 children, or 40% of eligible children, are now enrolled. Studies show the program helps prepare children for school by increasing reading frequency. It costs $30 per child annually or $150 total from birth to age 5. United Way is launching Operation Imagination to raise funds to sponsor an additional 500 children, as the program costs over $200,000 annually to operate but prevents children from dropping out of high school, saving over $800,000 per child.