Wednesday, September 24, 11:15–1:00
Join us at Cherokee Country Club for the 7th Annual Seeds of Imagination Luncheon to benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Knox County.
Held at Knoxville's beautiful Cherokee Country Club, attendees will enjoy complimentary prosecco, a silent auction, live entertainment, the presentation of our Seeds of Imagination Literacy Award, and making new friends while championing literacy in our community.
The 2025 Seeds of Imagination Luncheon has SOLD OUT. If you would still like to make your presence felt, you can make a donation to the 2025 Seeds of Imagination Luncheon. All proceeds benefit our Knox County program.
Our 2025 Honoree
Thirty-eight years ago, Mike and Ann Staup set out to build something special, a commercial mail facility rooted in East Tennessee and grounded in dedication, service, and heart. In 1996, they embraced a bold opportunity: to partner with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and help deliver books to every child under five in Sevier County. What began as a local commitment has since grown into a national mission.
Today, nearly 300 million books have been processed through their facility. Ann and her remarkable team at Direct Mail Services process over three million books each month, helping inspire a love of reading in children in Knox County and across the United States.
If you have questions about sponsorship, would like to donate to our Silent Auction, or want to suggest a nominee for our Seeds of Literacy Award, please contact Kay Hurst, khurst@knoxlib.org, (865) 215-8784.
Entertainment
Every year at our luncheon, we love highlighting talented local artists who capture the whimsical, imaginative spirit of storytelling and of Imagination Library. This year we welcome professional harpist Korenna Hodge. A Knoxville native and graduate of Knox County Imagination Library, Korenna has performed with the UT Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Oak Ridge Philharmonia and currently serves as principal harpist for the Knoxville Sinfonietta.
Silent Auction
Before the program, mingle in the River Room to bid on exclusive gifts, products, and experiences donated by local businesses and individuals. You'll have to be quick to outbid your competition for a farm-to-table dinner at Windy Hill, an auto wash package, a golf adventure, and more! All proceeds benefit Imagination Library of Knox County.
Imagination Library
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Knox County mails one new, age-appropriate book each month to any Knox County child from birth until age five at no cost to the family.
Imagination Library is supported by our community—by foundations, corporations, grants, and individual donors like you! Consider making a donation today to help us grow Knox County's future readers.
Past Honorees
2021: The Nurses of the Childbirth Center at Parkwest Medical Center
