This press release was written and distributed by Early Bird Books.
Early Bird Books, the local nonprofit organization that operates Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of West Michigan, is inviting businesses, restaurants, community organizations and individuals across West Michigan to participate in the nationwide Give Like Dolly Day on September 25, a new annual tradition announced by The Dollywood Foundation to honor Dolly Parton's legacy of giving back to children and communities.
Named for Dolly's iconic song "9 to 5," September 25 will be a worldwide day of giving centered around a simple idea: give to your local Imagination Library and help put books into the hands of children in your community. The Dollywood Foundation is encouraging Imagination Library partners around the world to use the day to raise awareness, share their local stories and invite their communities to support the children and families they serve.
The idea has already inspired businesses to get involved. Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood announced plans to donate 100% of the September 25 proceeds from their Nashville bar to The Imagination Library in honor of Dolly. Locally, Early Bird Books encourages West Michigan businesses to create their own ways to give back and support the Imagination Library here in West Michigan. Robinette's, already partnered with Early Bird Books for the fall with their Dolly-themed corn maze, will mark the special day of giving by offering a specialty Dolly Donut starting on September 25th, with a portion of every sale supporting the local Imagination Library.
Early Bird Books President Kate Purvis says, "The Imagination Library was just Dolly's small-town wish that transformed into a worldwide wonder, all because she could dream big. We continue to be inspired by Dolly as we carry her mission forward and work toward our big dream of providing the Imagination Library to every family here in West Michigan. "
Early Bird Books has been working toward that dream since launching Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of West Michigan in Kent County in 2022. Since then, more than 3,500 local children have been enrolled in the Imagination Library, and more than 70,000 books have been placed in the hands of young readers. While the program currently serves only a fraction of the eligible children in Kent County, Early Bird Books continues to work with partners in Kent and Ottawa Counties to expand Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to families that currently do not have access to the program.
But the demand for the program is high, and Early Bird Books must fundraise a minimum of $36 each year for every child enrolled in the program.
"The question we get most frequently is 'Why isn't the Imagination Library in my area?'" says Purvis. "Early Bird Books is ready and willing to bring the Imagination Library to every comer of West Michigan, but we need community support and funding to make our local Imagination Library program sustainable. When our community gives, we can say yes to more families, more children, and more books."
Give Like Dolly Day is an opportunity for the community to celebrate Dolly and support a cause that was close to her heart: giving children the gift of books through the Imagination Library.
On September 25, Early Bird Books is asking local businesses, restaurants, community organizations and individuals to find their own way to Give Like Dolly. Ways to give include hosting a fundraiser, donating a portion of sales, making a matching gift, sponsoring a community or finding another creative way to celebrate Dolly and support the Imagination Library of West Michigan. Every gift helps Early Bird Books say yes to more families and send books from "Grandma Dolly" to more children across West Michigan.
Dolly started with a simple dream of gifting books to children in her hometown and that simple act of generosity helped children build home libraries, discover the joy of reading and develop the literacy foundation needed to succeed in school. In true Dolly fashion, she soon shared that dream with other communities that wanted to give their children the same opportunity to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More.
Give Like Dolly Day brings that same opportunity for West Michiganders to carry her dream forward, one child, one family and one book at a time. Together, our community can demonstrate that good things happen when you Give Like Dolly.
Check out these Dolly Parton items in the KDL collection!