Chariton Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CVEC) and partners fund two local reading projects with $20,000 donation

One of CVEC’s most unique and exciting community programs is the CoBank Sharing Success grant program. Aimed at supporting local communities and projects, the grant is made possible by Chariton Valley Electric’s governing board of directors, in partnership with CoBank – a national nonprofit cooperative bank owned by the rural American cooperatives it services.

CVEC, Northeast Missouri Electric Power (NEP) and CoBank recently partnered again to fund two projects right here in our territory through the Sharing Success grant program and the Northeast Power Partnering Request program. CVEC is thrilled to be able to help the Carnegie Evans Public Library in Albia kick-start their Dolly Parton Imagination Library® program with a donation of $13,000 and support the Friends of Drake Public Library in Centerville with $7,000 as they expand their Dolly Parton Imagination Library® program. Both programs promote early childhood literacy through books that are mailed monthly directly to children in Monroe & Appanoose County under the age of five at no cost to the child or the family.

“Rural communities and cooperatives like Chariton Valley Electric are fortunate to have the generous support of CoBank and Northeast Power and we are thankful for the contributions enabling us to help make our communities a better place to live and work,” said Tod Faris, CVEC Economic Development and Community Relations Manager.

Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library to honor her father, who was smart and hardworking, but never learned how to read or write. The program is meant to give children from all walks of life a chance that Dolly’s father never had. Together CVEC, CoBank, Northeast Power and the community is putting books in the hands and hearts of our local children.

“Supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library® is a powerful way to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families in our cooperative community”, said CVEC CEO/General Manager Leilani Todd. “CVEC is excited to help bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library® to our communities. By focusing our efforts as a community on early childhood education, we can help ensure the next generation is prepared to meet the workforce needs of our business community and continue building on our current achievements.”