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 On March 6, Dolly Parton and Rotary International announced their plan to join forces in an effort to promote early childhood reading. John Germ, who is on the board of directors of
Orange
Grove
Center and is a Rotary Foundation Trustee, joined Parton in the commemoration in
Atlanta to announce the joint effort in supporting childhood literacy.
“For decades, Rotary clubs worldwide have supported literacy programs for children and adults,” says Germ. This collaborative relationship with the Dollywood Foundation will help lift our literacy effort to the next level by promoting early childhood reading.”
Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library provides a book to registered children every month until age five. It is especially important for children who are less fortunate, because some are not able to buy books in the midst of our economic crisis. Rotary clubs from Canada, United States, and the United Kingdom are encouraged to participate.
Around 115 Rotary clubs are currently involved. This number is expected to more than triple with the addition to all of the counties in
Georgia. Georgia Rotary Clubs are working through Ferst Foundation for Childhood Literacy.
Parton was influenced by her father’s illiteracy, which led to the Imagination Library. During his lifetime, he was able to see the Foundation launch into success, and was proud to see that it was well received.
Germ says, “Rotary has always been willing to do their part in just about everything. Like I always say, you can never do enough, but you can always do something.”
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