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Over the past 20 years, thousands of Coffee County children have raced to their mailbox to see if a book with their name on it had arrived. As one parent said when their child saw the book had arrived, “It felt like Christmas morning.”

Thanks to the Coffee County Imagination Library, thousands of Coffee County children, from newborn to age five, have not only enjoyed, but benefitted, from receiving monthly a free book.

For many Coffee County children, this is the first book they have ever owned. Studies show children with books in their home reach higher levels of education and are better prepared for kindergarten and a lifetime of success.

This past year the organization served 2,914 Coffee County children and delivered 33,518 books.

What started by Dolly Parton 30 years ago as her personal gift to the children of her home county, Sevier County, grew quickly statewide.

According to Coffee County parent, Thiago Nigri, whose child has received the books, “I think for most kids, a love for reading does not come naturally. It grows through exposure, repetition and making reading fun. There is something powerful about a child knowing that, at any moment, a book might arrive in the mailbox with their name on it.”

“They would sprint to the mailbox, grab the book and rush back inside to read it immediately. That small sense of anticipation changed everything. Reading shifted from ‘my parents read to me’ to ‘I love books. Books are fun.'”

Nigri continued, “Good habits start early. Programs like Imagination Library helped my kids move from ‘books are good’ to ‘books are fun and part of my life’. That shift makes all the difference.”

Grandparent Sarah Hailey offered, “I appreciate the content always matched their reading level and stage of life and the books were fantastic.”

“Their foundation of reading has led them to become avid readers today. The Imagination Library books were meaningful and some were funny. My granddaughter loved ‘First Day Critter Jitters’ and so did her grandmother.”

For twenty years, the Imagination Library of Coffee County has been dedicated to putting books into the hands of the county’s youngest residents absolutely free of charge.

The Imagination Library Board fundraises, write grants and get donations to cover the cost of the books. The annual book bill is about $40,000 to purchase and mail around 3,000 books monthly to children in Coffee County.

To keep the pages turning, the Imagination Library Board needs the community’s help. The Board is hosting a “Dream with Dolly” Gala February 6th to mark 20 years of providing books to local children. The Valentine’s-themed fundraiser will be held at First Baptist Church, 1006 Hillsboro Blvd. Manchester.

The gala will feature a southern-style dinner, bounce houses and craft zones for children. Attendees can participate in a “Best Dressed Dolly” contest open to all ages.

Tickets to the gala are $25 for adults, $20 for teens and $10 for children 5 to 10. Under 5 years of age are free.

Sponsors, from $150 to $1,000, are also requested. A $100 donation covers the cost of sending books to four local children for a full year.

To secure a sponsorship or purchase tickets, contact board member Daphanie Gragg at 615-397-8918 or email imaginationlibrarycoffeeco@gmail.com.

Lane Curlee can be reached at lcurlee@lighttube.net or 581-0360.