I made a contribution to the Hickman County Imagination Library today.
So, what is the Hickman County Imagination Library? We mail a book each month to every child who enrolls from that child’s birth until he or she turns 5 years old. We accomplish this by working with the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation (who pays half the cost of the program). GBBF manages the ongoing, statewide implementation of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Tennessee; assisting all Tennessee preschool children in developing their vocabulary, school readiness, and love of learning and reading by ensuring that free, high quality, age-appropriate books are mailed once a month directly to their homes, from birth until age five. Our part is paying half the cost of the program (about $13 per child for us annually) and maintaining the mailing list. The Hickman County Commission established the Hickman County Imagination Library in 2004 with Hickman County Resolution 04-48 and passed responsibility for doing the work and funding the program to Hickman County Economic & Community Development Association.
So, why did I contribute to the Hickman County Imagination Library today? When I was in the first grade, Miss Inis, my teacher, gave me a book for Christmas. I will always remember that. Not that I lacked for books or reading material, my parents saw to that. But for some reason, that gift of a book and her helping develop my love of reading stuck with me. I will always remember that. Mrs. Inis B. Puckett, her funeral was held today. She taught many kids over her 43-year teaching career, not just me. Every day, I read – for fun and profit. I know I use something everyday that Miss Inis taught in that first grade classroom. I will always remember her caring enough to give that book to me, a truly special gift.
So, why did I contribute to the Hickman County Imagination Library today? Someone has to. All those members of the community who don’t give and worse, don’t care, including county commissioners, I will always remember that too.
