Colquitt County Educational Foundation

06/17/2026

📚 60 books. 5 years. One child. $150.

Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a child in Colquitt County receives a free book every single month from birth through age five. That is 60 books delivered straight to their door, 60 moments of discovery, and 60 opportunities to fall in love with reading before kindergarten even begins.

For $150, you can sponsor one child's entire five year journey through the Imagination Library. That breaks down to just $2.50 a book.

In 2024–2025, CCEF made it possible for 1,871 local children to receive free books each month.

With only 37% of children in Colquitt County reading on grade level, every book matters.

Be the reason a child in our community grows up surrounded by stories.

https://givebutter.com/zsaQE0

06/17/2026

You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to have all the answers.

You just have to care.

The Colquitt County Educational Foundation believes every child deserves a mentor. Someone in their corner who says "I see you, and I believe in you." That kind of presence doesn't require a degree or a resume. It just requires a heart.

This is your final reminder. FREE mentor training is Monday, June 22, 8:30 to 10:30 AM. Seats are filling up and we'd hate for you to miss it.

Show up for Colquitt County's kids. Register today. brightercolquitt.org/contact

06/15/2026

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐅 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝!

"As a principal in Colquitt County, I see every single day how much our students and teachers pour into their work. I joined the CCEF board because I believe in being 'all in' for our schools, not just inside my building, but across the entire district."

CCEF funds innovative classroom grants, supports creative instructional practices, and invests in opportunities that traditional school budgets simply cannot cover.

As a first-year board member, Ja'Net sees this as a chance to advocate for innovation, opportunity, and equity for every child in Colquitt County. "When our community rallies behind education, our students win and when our students win, Colquitt County wins."

Ja'Net Smith, Board Member
Principal, Cox Elementary School



Colquitt County School District

06/10/2026

1 in 4. Let that sink in.

One in four children in America will grow up without ever learning how to read. Not struggling readers. Not behind grade level. Never learning to read at all.

Reading is not just an academic skill. It is the foundation for everything that follows, including the ability to fill out a job application, understand a medical form, help a child with homework, and participate fully in community life. When a child grows up without learning to read, the ripple effects last a lifetime.

Colquitt County has the opportunity to be different. We have the programs, the people, and the community spirit to make sure our children beat those odds. CCEF is already at work, from Baby Packer kits placed in the hands of newborns at Colquitt Regional Medical Center, to five years of free books delivered monthly through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Early. Intentional. Proven.

But we cannot do it alone. Every family, every business, and every neighbor who chooses to invest in our children is choosing a better future for all of Colquitt County.

No child here should become part of that statistic. And with your help, they will not have to.



Colquitt Regional Medical Center | Dolly Parton's Imagination Library | United Way of Colquitt County

06/09/2026

Colquitt County students need YOU!

Become a mentor and help shape the next generation. Training is FREE and only 2 hours!

June 22 | 8:30–10:30 AM
July 16 | 1:00–3:00 PM

Register now and invest in a student's future. https://www.brightercolquitt.org/volunteer

06/08/2026

$20 can change a life before it even begins.

For just $20, you can fund a Baby Packer kit for a newborn at Colquitt Regional Medical Center. Each kit is packed with resources to give babies and their families the best possible start, and every single one is made possible through the generosity of people who believe Colquitt County's youngest residents deserve a strong foundation.

In 2024–2025, CCEF funded over 600 Baby Packer kits. With your help, we can reach even more families this year.

$20 fund one kit! Every dollar goes directly to a newborn in our community.

https://givebutter.com/zsaQE0



Colquitt Regional Medical Center

06/05/2026

One book, lots of ways to read! 📚

Salley Edwards is back with another installment of our series, this week featuring Colorful Birds, a book she wrote herself. In this video Salley walks us through how to use the grown up guide in the back of the book to find techniques for reading with toddlers who are not yet reading on their own.

One of the most valuable reminders Salley shares is the difference between teaching and testing. Rather than quizzing your child, share knowledge, follow their lead, and let the conversation grow naturally. It is a simple shift that makes a big difference.

Watch the video and try it at home with your little one!

The Brilliance of Babies | Cox Campus

06/04/2026

1,822 books delivered this month! 📚

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library delivered 1,822 books this month to children in our program. That is 1,822 little readers receiving a brand new book right to their doorstep.

If your child is not yet signed up, we would love to help get them enrolled. Every book makes a difference! DM us to get started!

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library | United Way of Colquitt County

06/04/2026

Summer reading loss is real, but it is preventable. 📚

Join The Reading Symphony on Sunday, June 14 at 3 PM live on Zoom for a free training featuring tips to help keep your child reading strong all summer long.

Participants will walk away with a strategy to improve spelling, tools to support reading comprehension, and a simple 3-minute daily routine to build accuracy, speed, and expression.

This is a great opportunity for parents, mentors, and anyone who supports a young reader. Save your spot and share with someone who needs this!

Register here:

Book for webina

06/02/2026

Look at how far our mentee Paige has come! 🎓

The first photo is from her recent 5th grade graduation at Cox Elementary and the second is from 2023 when she was in 3rd grade. Two years, so much growth.

A huge thank you to Anne, Paige's mentor, for walking alongside her every step of the way. The difference a caring mentor makes in a child's life is truly immeasurable.

Congratulations, Paige. We are so proud of you!

Cox Elementary School | Colquitt County School District