2022: Pastor John Unthank

Pastor John, a slim older gentleman with glasses and a gray fedora, smiles for the camera.

On September 15, 2022, we here at Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Knox County were able to present the 2022 Seeds of Imagination Literacy award to Pastor John Unthank. He served as the Title I Schools Liaison for The Knoxville Dream Center. It was his mission to bless teachers with supplies, books, and a letter of encouragement each week. Affectionately known as "The Crayola Man", "P.J.", or simply "Pastor John", he headed up the Make a Teacher Smile Program and worked tirelessly on the Knoxville Dream Center's bookmobile, delivering books to everyone he could. 

A sunlit dining room full of people
Pastor John, his wife, and his two sons pose for a family portrait
Mayor Glenn Jacobs (left) hands the Seeds of Literacy award to Pastor John Unthank (right), recipient
Mayor Glenn Jacobs (left), Pastor John Unthank (center), and emcee Abby Ham (right) pose with the 2022 Seeds of Literacy award

 

Pastor John Unthank stands in front of a blue podium and delivers his Seeds of Literacy acceptance speech
A Seeds of Imagination bookmark bearing decorative flowers and the Dolly Parton quote, "You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children."

 

2022 Seeds of Imagination Honoree
Website
Seeds of Imagination Luncheon
Program
Seeds of Imagination