Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Has Given Away It’s 200 Millionth Book
Dolly Parton and doing good are synonymous. The superstar has used her platform to give back in numerous ways, one of which is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. If you’re unfamiliar with the program- it’s an early childhood book giving program. It first served just families in East Tennesee where Dolly grew up, but the program has grown immensely since its inception in 1995. Families are able to sign up their child from age birth to 5 years old for free. Then each month Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a high-quality, age-appropriate book to all registered children at no cost to them. More than 2 million books are distributed monthly to children across the globe.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library’s 200 Millionth Book
And now the Dolly Parton Imagination Libray is celebrating a huge milestone. They are celebrating 200 million books gifted globally since inception in 1995. And if there’s one thing Dolly is going to do it’s celebrate! So how will she do this? Seven enchanting Dolly bookmarks will be randomly hidden inside Imagination Library books gifted during International Literacy Month (September) to children/families currently enrolled in the program. (Children must be enrolled by July 31, 2023 to receive Imagination Library books in September).
The seven random children/families will be from a total of five countries. The lucky recipients who find the Dolly bookmarks in their Imagination Library books will receive, if they choose, a video chat with Dolly, a personalized signed letter from Dolly, an autographed photo from Dolly, and four Dollywood Theme Park tickets. That’s not a bad prize at all! But of course, Dolly is going to do more, and that always means giving back. The Dollywood Foundation will also donate $2,000 (or whatever currency of the winner’s country of residence) on behalf of the child to their Local Imagination Library Partner. This is a way to thank you to who Dolly calls “the true heroes of her program”.
The Imagination Library Program
Dolly launched the Imagination Library after being inspired by her father, who grew up in the mountains of Sevier County in East Tennessee and never learned to read or write. According to the program’s website (linked above) 1 in 10 children in the US receive monthly books from the program. But as mentioned previously, it’s not just US children who benefit. United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland participate in the Imagination Library.
“I know there are children in communities around the world with big dreams and the seeds of these dreams are often found in books,” said Dolly in a press release. “It’s been one of my greatest gifts in life to help instill a love of reading through my Imagination Library. Reaching 200 million books worldwide is a major milestone that I’m so very proud of, and I want to thank all of our local program partners, funders, and supporters from the bottom of my heart. But we’re just getting warmed up, we have so much more to do! Together, we can inspire even more children to dream more, learn more, care more, and be more.”
It’s free and open to anyone to sign up, so if you have children in the 0-5 age range make sure to take advantage of this wonderful program! Children enrolled at birth will receive a total of 60 books before they “graduate” or age out of the program. That’s just Dolly for you, always giving back. Get more info on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Libary or sign your child up here.
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