CFAE Vice President Sharlene Eddy recently announced that the Checotah Foundation for Academic Excellence will sponsor the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for McIntosh County.

Dolly Partons Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating areas.

Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly started the Imagination Library in 1995 to serve the children of her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee.

Today, her program gifts over 2.4 million free, high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to children around the world.

Now McIntosh County will have the opportunity to participate in the program.

“When I say I normally talk to cows more than I do people, it’s the truth.” Eddy said who’s a fulltime rancher. “This past week has been a busy whirlwind of meetings/ presentations and dusting off of my people interaction skills but I’m deliriously happy to announce the news that the Checotah Foundation for Academic Excellence Board of Directors unanimously voted to act as a founding sponsor of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for McIntosh County. The library committee consists of Bret Hayes, Tami Duvall and myself. We also secured an additional $1,000 in program funding from The Checotah Alumni Association and June’s Restaurant.

“It’s going to take numerous other partnering sponsors to make this program come to fruition, but we have no doubt it will happen. All of us on the board of CFAE are passionate about supporting the education of our children. We are excited to be leading the way and partnering with other amazing businesses, organizations, groups and individuals to make our county even better.

“Let’s get to work and make it happen, McIntosh County. It’s going to be amazing!”

CFAE is a non-profit organization focused on aiding and promoting Checotah Public Schools students and educators. At the beginning of the school year they awarded 14 education grants to Checotah teachers totaling $5,727.20 and had their annual CFAE Appreciation Luncheon.

The library announcement couldn’t have come at a better time because October is National Book Month. For more information or to make a contribution to the project call Sharlene Eddy at 918617-3312.

The CFAE will also host their annual Bean Dinner Fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Checotah Masonic Lodge and would love the community’s support.