Local volunteers working with Polk County’s Early Childhood Initiative are hoping this year’s annual ECI dinner and auction will attract the attention of local residents.

T

he event is set for Friday, Oct. 19 at the Cherokee Country Club and will feature dinner, an auction and live entertainment.

One special item up for grabs in the auction this year is an autographed first edition of Les Roberts’ novel, The Poison Plum.

Roberts, a Cedartown native, gained inspiration for his novel by battling a bizarre and mysterious disease for 10 years — a disease that almost killed him.

Entertainer David Browning is sure to leave the audience laughing during this year’s event. Browning, who hails from Bristol, Va., is a Barney Fife impersonator — a television character made famous by the Andy Griffith Show.

The Polk Family Learning Center was opened in October 2000 with grant funds offered to the Polk County Family Connection Council by the Georgia Children’s Trust Fund, Inc.

Those funds were provided to implement the program with the understanding that it would be sustained by the community.

Coosa Valley Technical College and Polk School District continue to provide the adult education component and the facility but funding is needed for the early childhood education services.

Raising money since the grant period ended in 2004 has been a challenge that has been taken on by a dedicated group of concerned citizens — the Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) Steering Committee.

Tickets are $40 each.

Proceeds from ticket sales and auction proceeds benefit the Polk Family Learning Center.

Anyone interested in attending the event or donating an item for the auction, please contact committee member Lynn Holbrooks at 706-295-6976.

Monetary donations will also be accepted.