United Way Way Honors Dolly’s Legacy with Imagination Library Events

United Way of Greater Nashville is joining communities across Tennessee in honoring Dolly Parton, whose Imagination Library transformed childhood literacy by putting free books into the hands of millions of children. Click for More Events

Following Parton’s death, her family encouraged fans and friends to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers. In Middle Tennessee, United Way says residents can carry that legacy forward by attending upcoming events and making donations to help provide free books to children from birth to age five.

“We join so many across Tennessee and around the world in remembering Dolly Parton and the extraordinary legacy she leaves behind,” said Erica Mitchell, CEO of United Way of Greater Nashville in a release. “Through Imagination Library, Dolly gave generations of children more than books—she gave them the joy of being read to, the confidence to learn and the promise that their community believes in their future.”

United Way of Greater Nashville works with the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation and the Dollywood Foundation to support Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee, which mails one free, age-appropriate book each month to participating children.

All Tennessee children from birth to age five are eligible.

United Way says the Middle Tennessee program has distributed more than 500,000 books to more than 50,000 children across the region.

Several upcoming events will help support the program and celebrate Parton’s legacy.

Run Nash: 9to5K Run & Walk — Sept. 5

The Dolly-inspired 9to5K Run & Walk invites participants to “clock out, lace up and sparkle” for a running and walking event through Nashville.

The event benefits United Way of Greater Nashville and Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee and is open to runners, walkers, families and fans of all ages and fitness levels. Find more information here. 

A Dolly Good Time — Sept. 11

The Ami McConnell Literary Agency will host A Dolly Good Time at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery in the Oak Room.

The benefit will support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee and feature an evening centered on community, literacy and Parton’s legacy.

Special guests include co-chair Ana Christina Cash, with Daniel Diamond serving as emcee. Find more information here. 

Studios & Stories — Sept. 19

Black River Entertainment will host its inaugural Studios & Stories event inside its Nashville recording studios.

The event will bring together songwriters, storytellers and community members with the goal of raising enough money to fund a full year of books for children across Middle Tennessee.

Guest writers include Doug Johnson, MaRynn Taylor, Dan Wilson and McCall Chapin. Find more information here. 

Kidsville Family Festival — Sept. 26

Families attending the Kidsville Family Festival can visit the Imagination Library tent for a storybook reading and learn more about the program’s work supporting early literacy throughout Middle Tennessee.

Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995 in her native Sevier County, Tennessee, with the goal of inspiring a love of reading among young children.

The program eventually expanded far beyond East Tennessee, sending free books to children in communities across the United States and internationally.

In Middle Tennessee, United Way raises money to help cover the cost of books and promote enrollment in the program.

Last year alone, Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee says it served more than 50,000 children and distributed more than 510,000 books.

Supporters can also honor Parton by donating directly to the program at UnitedWayGreaterNashville.org/Imagination-Library.

For United Way, continuing the work of the Imagination Library is one way to ensure that one of Parton’s most enduring legacies continues reaching children for generations.

“United Way of Greater Nashville is honored to help carry that legacy forward for families across Middle Tennessee,” Mitchell said.

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