By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- Thanks to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL), the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation and local support from the county commission, thousands upon thousands of children in Campbell County have benefited from the early literacy program and free books over the past two decades. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the program in Campbell County, and the 20th anniversary for the state’s early literacy program.

“We encourage early literacy; it’s what builds that life-long love of reading and learning,” said Nelsie Wooden, with Community Health of East Tennessee, which is the local non-profit that operates the program in Campbell County, “providing fiscal and program management.” Wooden is the program coordinator for Campbell County.

“The children love their books; this program really makes a difference in the lives of Campbell County’s youth,” Nelsie Wooden said.

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program began in Campbell County in 2002 when the pastor of the “LaFollette Methodist Church and a few members approached Community Health of East Tennessee (CHET) to be the non-profit partner to begin the program for the pre-school children of Campbell County”, according to Wooden. At the end of 2002, 17 preschoolers were enrolled in the program.

“Pastor Malcolm Wansley at the LaFollette Methodist Church initiated the program in 2002.  CHET, formerly REACHS, was asked to be the non-profit for the program and provide fiscal management,” Wooden said.

Over the past 22 years, the program has grown by leaps and bounds, with November 2024 showing 1,512 preschool children in Campbell County receiving a free Dolly Parton Imagination Library Book delivered to their home. Those enrolled in the program receive an age-appropriate book delivered to their home each month from birth to age 5.

“When the pastor moved to a new church, the church committee asked CHET to take the full partnership with the Dollywood Foundation for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library,” Wooden said. Community Health of East Tennessee continues this partnership affiliate as a “community service to Campbell County.”

In 2004, Governor Phil Bredesen initiated the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation (Governor’ Books from Birth Foundation) with legislative financial support and private support to fund 50% of each county’s monthly invoice.

“A beginning purpose of the foundation was to contract with each Tennessee county DPIL affiliate to pay 50% of each county’s invoice each month. Each county affiliate is responsible for the remaining 50% of the invoice.  CHET is thankful for the financial support the county commissioners continue to give the DPIL of Campbell County.  The children love their books,” Wooden said.

The county contributes $15,000 annually to CHET for the DPIL of CC program.

Wooden thanked county commissioners for supporting this “important literacy program for the preschool children of Campbell County.”

“They have been generous with their support, and that allows us to continue enrolling children in the program… A love of reading is a step toward being a life-long learner,” Wooden said.

The Campbell County program also accepts monetary donations and has individual donors who help the program grow. Some program funds are also generated from the sale of the Dolly Parton car tags, which gives a portion back to the DPIL of Campbell County each year.

Children newborn to age five are eligible to be enrolled in the program.  You can enroll a child online or call the CHET office 423-562-1156.  There is a book selection committee for the DPIL who select the books with the “intended purpose to develop early literacy for the preschool child.”

Age appropriate DPIL books are mailed each month to the enrolled child’s address.  Books will not be forwarded.  Caregivers need to call the CHET office 423-562-1156 to make a change of address when they move. 

“The children love their books; this program really makes a difference in the lives of Campbell County’s youth,” Wooden said.

For more information, visit the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation website or visit the Dollywood Foundation website. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-12/02/2024-6AM)

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