Early literacy is proven to prevent school dropout and many anti-social behaviors. 69% of inmates in America cannot read beyond level 2. Many government entities base prison budgets on third grade literacy rates due to the strong correlation between illiteracy, school drop out, and imprisonment!

Over 25 years ago, Dolly Pardon began donating $500 cash to high school graduates in Sevier County, TN (her roots) in an effort to prevent high school drop out. Educators convinced her that at-risk students can be identified within the first three weeks of Kindergarten! Because some students get to school their first day with no book or reading familiarity. Because some parents do not purchase books, or go to the library. In 1995, the Dolly Pardon Foundation began mailing one book each month to every child born in Sevier county-60 books from birth to age 5! She calls it the Imagination Library. Each Child receives "The Little Engine that Could" as their first book because this is dolly's favorite, and it conveys the "I think I can attitude"!

Her imagination Library is so efficient, it cost less than $2.50 per book to buy it, package it, and mail it to the child’s home each month. The governor’s foundation pays for half the expense for each Tennessee County.

As of June 2007, we have over 7,000 children enrolled in Rutherford County! Every $1.25 you raise pays for another book for a Rutherford county child. Our 501c3 has no staff, or office overhead; therefore your donations make a very effective difference.

Rutherford Books from Birth works closely with read to succeed, Success by Six, Greenhouse Ministries, and other local organizations committed to teaching literacy and the value of reading to help make sure the books being mailed to the homes are valued and put to good use. Our motto is “Change tomorrow. Read to a child today.”

In your next run-book it! By joining the I Think I can Team and raise money for Rutherford Books from Birth. We are transforming society, one month, one book, one child at a time.