Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee is hosting its 2^nd annual fundraising event, a Beach Blanket Benefit of relaxed, informal fun.

This fun-filled evening of dancing and mingling supports the critical issue of early childhood literacy in Tennessee and is a great way to benefit the very significant cause of helping preschool kids get books. Scheduled for Friday, November 14th from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club, the evening is guaranteed to be a great night with music by Smokey and the Impossibles, as well as good food and drink in a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere.

“Last year’s laid-back event was so successful that we decided to do it again that way this year,” said Deborah Wiston one of the event’s co-chairs. “Although the evening will be casual and lots of fun, it benefits the very important mission of BFBMT to provide books to preschoolers in Davidson, Sumner and Williamson Counties by mailing a free book a month to as many children we can reach” added Wiston.

Tickets are priced at $142 per couple ($71 per person). The cost of these tickets equals what it costs BFBMT to provide an amazing free book a month to 10 children for an entire year. Reservations can be made by visiting www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/booksfrombirth or by calling 615-936-6353. “The cost of this event is unbelievably inexpensive considering what an impact it will have on the children of Middle Tennessee,” added Wiston.

The event’s Grand Hosts are Buddy & Diane Benedict, Howard & Sharon Gentry, Robin & David Puryear, Judge C.L. “Buck” & Lyle Rogers, Dr. F. William & Erin Terry and Dr. Ming Wang as well as more than a dozen other hosts.

Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee is the literacy initiative of the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital that oversees Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Davidson, Sumner and Williamson Counties. The program provides a free, age-appropriate book to children once a month, from birth, until the age of five. Imagination Library is a state-wide program resulting from a partnership with Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Foundation and the Governor’s Books From Birth Foundation.

“The focus of Books from Birth of Middle Tennessee is to improve literacy, get kids ready for school and strengthen the bond of families” said Director Sheryl Rogers. “This benefit raises awareness of the cause in a totally different way. Just like the books are accessible to all children, this event is available to everyone as well.”

According to event co-chair Lisa Stubbs, “This program is a valuable way of providing children and their families with books that they might not otherwise have access to. The books provide children a love of reading at an early age, strong bonding with their parents and are mailed to their homes in their names each month, providing them with pride of ownership and the excitement of receiving a new book of their very own each month.”

For further information call 615-936-6353 or visit www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/booksfrombirth.

A chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, BFBMT was founded by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, the Nashville Public Library, Jo’s Reach Out and Read, NashvilleRead, Ingram Industries, NewsChannel 5, Dollywood Foundation and the Governor’s Books From Birth Foundation. The Governor’s foundation covers half the cost of books and BFBMT raises the remaining funds.

BFBMT event sponsors include Nissan, HCA/TriStar, and the Woman’s Club of Hendersonville.

Additional sponsors include: Andy & Peri Allman, Sen. Diane & David Black, Coley and Lyles Insurance Agency, Charlie & Mickey Curtis, Electronic Express, Emma, Tom & Pat Givens, Bill & Jo Ann Graves, Dr. & Mrs. Michael Green, Ott & Shelby Gregory, Johnny & Mary Howard Hayes, Charles & Michelle Haynes, Hendersonville Rotary Club, Jim & Betsy Hunter, Tenn. Titan Brandon Jones (#81), Junior Service League of Gallatin, Travis & Lottie McCormick, Dr. Richard C. Orgain & Dr. Jennifer G. Uhl, The Party Penguin/Rent-A-Rita, Tim & Darlene Sinks, Steve & Jane Sudbury, iSurfSumner.com, The Hendersonville Star News, The News Examiner, The Sumner A.M., Sumner Lifestyles Magazine, and the Nashville Scene.