SOCIAL SHARING

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Jessica Lynch, First Lady Haslam, Lieutenant Governor Lee, Karen Davis - Making A Difference


If you've read a newspaper, watched your local news or listened to your favorite radio station recently, chances are, you have heard about Dolly Parton and her Imagination Library early childhood education program.  The press has really been good to us and our Program Champions and for that we are truly thankful.

The following posts are highlights of some of our most recent big news stories and links to their publishing sources. We hope you enjoy!


"You might remember her as a soldier and a prisoner of war, Jessica Lynch," Parton told the crowd, adding that she's a new Imagination Library ambassador.Lynch was rescued in 2003 after she was injured and captured by Iraqi soldiers. Her rescue by special ops forces marked the first time an American female POW has been successfully rescued.
It's hard to say who's more excited about the new partnership. "She brought me her book today," Parton said. Lynch wrote "I Am a Soldier Too" in 2003. It recounts her ordeal in Iraq. "I've never read it. I can't wait to read it," Parton added.

Karen Davis - Program Champion in Canada was awarded the Lieutenant Governor's medal for Literacy - Leader in Literacy Education.  The ceremony was held at Government House in Winnipeg, MB on April 26th, 2012 .  Three people were nominated, Dr. Stan Straw and Ms. Joan Embleton and myself.  The Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Literacy recognizes exceptional contributions to literacy in Manitoba by individuals, groups or projects.

Included in photo:
In back:  Dr. Stan Straw, Professor, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, University of Manitoba (to my right) and Ms. Joan Embleton, Coordinator Edge Skills Centre Inc (to my left) in the front Honorable Philip S. Lee, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba & his wife her honor Anita K. Lee, Honorable Erin Selby, Minister of Advanced Education and Literacy and Mr. Gerald Farthing, Deputy Minister Education and Advanced Education and Literacy.


Haslam said the Imagination Library has a partnership with the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation. She said the library is a non-profit organization that provides children with a book a month from birth until age 5, a total of 60 books.

“Children need to be read to,” she said. “They need to see words, hear words and read themselves (to be prepared for kindergarten).”

The RBG Foundation, established by employees of the Glasgow Electric Plant Board, and the RR Donnelley Foundation located in Glasgow, KY have come together in support of United Way of Southern Kentucky’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program each donating $5,000. The $10,000 combined donation will help to launch the program in Barren County which will also be launched in Allen, Logan, and Warren Counties in the upcoming year.

A team consisting of four LEAD Bristol classmates who represent local businesses including Bristol Tennessee Essential Services, King College, Alpha Natural Resources and Nash Powers Insurance, and I developed a dynamic marketing program for the Sullivan County Chapter. This program includes 30- and 60-second video commercials and a print advertising campaign in the pages of the Bristol Herald Courier. 

The focus of this marketing campaign is to educate and inform citizens of Sullivan County of the incredible benefits associated with this great program.

This program provides children with one new age-appropriate book a month, from birth to age 5 – a total of 60 books. These books are free of charge: no income restrictions, no strings attached.