Give Like Dolly Day has been launched to encourage people to support children’s reading in honour of country music star Dolly Parton, who died last month.
Annual event on September 25
The event took place for the first time on Friday, after it was set up by The Dollywood Foundation UK, and will now take place annually on September 25. September 25 has previously been referred to as Dolly Parton Day in reference to her hit song 9 To 5.
The public are encouraged to donate to their local Imagination Library programmes in the UK, help to bring a programme to their community if one does not exist, and share their work on social media.
Foundation president on Parton’s giving
Jeff Conyers, president of The Dollywood Foundation, said: “For Dolly, giving was always personal and from her heart, she believed deeply in helping people, especially children, and she always felt if you are in a position to help, you should help.
“Give Like Dolly Day is an opportunity for people everywhere to not only support their local Imagination Library partners but also put books into the hands of children across the UK.”
Imagination Library origins
The singer founded the Imagination Library in 1995 in honour of her father, who could not read or write. It began in her home county in East Tennessee in the US and has expanded across the US and into the UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland.
The programmes aim to ensure children from birth to age five can receive a free, high-quality book mailed directly to their home each month.
First UK events
The first Give Like Dolly Day in the UK has seen a special event take place at the British Library, a mass online singing session take place with Rock Choir and Parton-inspired workshops held at Hobbycraft shops.
Parton, whose hits included Jolene, 9 To 5 and Islands In The Stream with fellow country singer Kenny Rogers, died aged 80 after being diagnosed with cancer.
