Proceeds from the Hernando Water Tower 10K & Half Marathon support Hernando Excel By 5’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL)—a program that provides free, age-appropriate books to children from one month to five years old in our community.
Every enrolled child receives one free book per month until their 5th birthday—building a strong foundation for early literacy and a lifelong love of reading.
The program is completely free for families. The City of Hernando raises the funds to cover the cost for every enrolled child in our community. The Hernando Water Tower 10k and Half Marathon is the key fundraiser that makes this possible — helping us continue to offer this incredible opportunity to our youngest citizens!
Right now, 650 Hernando children (and counting!) receive a free book each month. These books help prepare them for their first day of school and give them a strong start in kindergarten. It’s a cradle-to-graduation program that sets them up for long-term success — helping build the next generation of readers, learners, and future leaders.
