Rotary International, in cooperation with country singer Dolly Parton, has formed a cooperative relationship in efforts to promote childhood literacy.  Rotary Clubs across the globe are encouraged to support Imagination Library, which provides a book each month to children from birth to age five.  In our state of Georgia, Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy is the provider for Imagination Library.  The Ferst Foundation focuses on providing our local community’s children up to 5 years of age with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library books at no charge.  The Ferst Foundation also provides additional literacy support materials for families. 

The Ferst Foundation has challenged all Rotary Clubs in Georgia to participate in the 1st Annual Rotary President’s Battle for Childhood Literacy.  Our local president of the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties, Buddy Watts, recently read the book “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” by Judith Viorst, to a group of students at the Lake Oconee Academy.

To view this video and cast a vote to support the local Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties, please log on to www.ferstfoundation.org.  Look for the video titled “Rotary President’s Challenge Greene and Putnam Counties, Buddy Watts,” and cast your vote.  You can vote once a day, each day until midnight on April 14th.  Instructions for online contributions to the Ferst Foundation, which count for multiple votes for the challenge, are available as well.      

The Ferst Foundation’s program provides a unique opportunity for all of us to invest in the education of our children here in this community.  A small donation can significantly impact the future of these young Georgians.  To help support this life-changing program log on to www.ferstfoundation.org.