Assistance in Imagination Library

NASHVILLE – The Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation announced today a five-year partnership with Delta Dental of Tennessee, with the goal of establishing a yearly grant program for Tennessee’s economically distressed counties seeking to establish countywide Imagination Library programs. “Delta Dental of Tennessee has committed $225,000 to the Foundation over the next five years, serving as a terrific example of how private-public partnerships can bring previously unavailable resources to Tennessee’s children and families,” said Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation President Lady Jackson. “When Dr. Phil Wenk, president and CEO of Delta Dental, asked how he could assist in our statewide outreach, this grant program seemed to be a perfect fit.” Jackson explained that th Foundation had recently mailed grant applications and instructions to all 95 Tennessee county mayors. Counties able to demonstrate a “good faith effort” toward raising the needed monthly funds, and that have the manpower to sustain a countywide Imagination Library, are eligible to take part in the annual grant program. “The Governor’s Foundation pays half of the cost of the monthly book orders, and while most counties have the economic base to raise their share of the orders, we want to help those counties who are unable to do so,” said Dr. Phil Wenk, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee. “At Delta, we are committed to giving back to the community that supports us, and this is one small way that will result in benefiting children who can receive a personal library of books.”