Dolly Parton says her father was the smartest man she has ever known.
As a tribute to him, Parton founded the Imagination Library. The foundation partners with individuals and nonprofits to get books into the homes of all children who want them.
Sadly, Parton’s father never had the opportunity to learn how to read.
In a letter to supporters, Parton said, “Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams.
“Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission. In the beginning, my hope was simply to inspire the children in my home county but here we are today with a worldwide program that gives a book a month to well over 1 million children.
“Of course, I have not done this alone. The real heroes of our story are the thousands of local organizations who have embraced my dream and made it their own. They raise millions of dollars each year and wake up every day with a passion to make sure their kids have every opportunity to succeed ... Let’s share this dream that all children should grow up in a home full of books.”
Fortunately, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expansion statewide as part of his 2023 Next Level Agenda. On May 4, Holcomb signed legislation into law that allotted $6 million over the biennium, $2 million in the first year and $4 million in the second year, as part of a community share to expand the program to every zip code in the state.
“I learned from a very young age that reading is the key to education and opportunity,” Holcomb said. “The ability to read can transport children to places they have never been before and open doors they never knew existed. By making Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library available in every zip code, we are giving Hoosier children the tools they need for literary success.”
According to Indiana’s website, the Indiana State Library will coordinate the program and provide the state’s match to interested organizations or individuals to become local program partners. Imagination Library partners pay 50% of their local program cost with the remaining 50% paid by the state.
Fundraising for Noble, LaGrange and Elkhart counties includes this year’s “Power of the Purse” Thursday, May 2, in Albion. The sit-down luncheon will be 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5C Farms Event Barn, 1261 N. C.R. 300E, Albion.
Tickets are on sale now. The deadline for ticket sales is April 26. Tickets can be purchased at crossroadsuw.org/events/power-purse or call 574-295-1650.
Power of the Purse is the annual fundraiser for Crossroads United Way of Elkhart, LaGrange and Noble counties.
Katie Mullins of Kendallville, the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Imagination Library in Indiana, will be the emcee for the event. She will share information about the Imagination Library in Noble County.
The “Men in Black” will be on hand to help present purse packages. In addition to raffles, there will be other flower-themed activities.
Donated purses will be passed along to Life & Family Services and Noble House.
Crossroads United Way launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in all three of the counties it serves, Elkhart, LaGrange and Noble.
To enroll a child, age 0-5, go to imaginationlibrary.com. Provide the child’s name, age and address. The first book will arrive in 6-8 weeks. The child will receive one book per month through the 5th year. There are no costs for this, and no income limits or requirements.
Parton launched the program in 1995 to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee by providing a gift of a specially selected book each month.
Today the program is in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.
Parton knows in her heart that her Daddy’s inability to read kept him from achieving all his dreams — and she wants to help ensure that others don’t face that barrier.
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The “Men in Black” will be on hand at the May 2 Imagination Library fundraiser to help present the purse packages. A few more “Men in Black” volunteers are needed. To volunteer, sign up at volunteer.crossroadsuw.org.
“ To enroll a child, age 0-5, go to imaginationlibrary.com. The first book will arrive in 6-8 weeks. The child will receive one book per month through the 5th year. There are no costs for this, and no income limits or requirements.”
