CHESTER – Children across Randolph County will have greater access to early literacy opportunities thanks to a generous donation from the Donald and Mary Alice Welge Charitable Trust. This gift directly supports enrollment in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, ensuring more local children receive free, high-quality books delivered to their homes each month.
The program was facing the prospect of closing future enrollment in Randolph County due to slower than expected fundraising efforts in the community. The donation from the Don and Mary Alice Welge Family Trust provides the necessary resources to support both current and future enrollment as community fundraising continues. For decades, the Welge family — owners of Gilster-Mary Lee Corporation — has invested deeply in the well-being of the communities they serve. Their latest contribution continues that legacy by removing financial barriers for families and expanding access to books during the most critical years of brain development.
Impact on Randolph County Children
The donation will ensure that current families’ participation in the program can continue and allows even more families to enroll their children from birth to age five in the program. To date, 1193 children in Randolph have participated in the program. Children’s participation in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has proven to strengthen early language skills, spark curiosity, and build the foundation for lifelong learning.
Read SI shared: “This gift from the Welge Charitable Trust means that more Randolph County children can begin their reading journey from the very start. Community sponsorship is what makes this program possible, and this support ensures that families who want to participate can do so without hesitation.”
Rachel Marshall , Principal of Chester’s Early Childhood Center, added: “Every child deserves the joy and wonder that comes with opening a new book each month. Thanks to the Welge family’s generosity, our youngest learners gain stories, shared experiences, and opportunities that will leave a lasting imprint on their lives.”
A Legacy of Community Commitment
The Welge family has long been recognized for their dedication to education, opportunity, and community growth. Through both Gilster‑Mary Lee and their charitable trust, they have consistently supported initiatives that strengthen families and expand access to essential resources.
This donation reflects the values that guided Donald and Mary Alice Welge throughout their lives: generosity, stewardship, and a deep belief in investing in the community and its next generation.
About the Donald and Mary Alice Welge Charitable Trust
The Trust is a family foundation located in Chester, Illinois. It continues the philanthropic vision of Donald and Mary Alice Welge, longtime community leaders who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to their community and to improving quallty of life across Southern Illinois.
About Gilster‑Mary Lee Corporation
Founded in 1895 and headquartered in Chester, Illinois, Gilster‑Mary Lee is a family‑owned food manufacturing company with a long history of community partnership and economic leadership.