United Way of Northwest Illinois Invites Community to Give Like Dolly on September 25
New annual day of giving honors Dolly Parton's legacy while supporting children's literacy and expanding access to books for local families.
Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading. On September 25, United Way Northwest Illinois invites residents, businesses, and community partners to turn that belief into action through Give Like Dolly Day, a new annual tradition established by The Dollywood Foundation to honor Dolly Parton's extraordinary generosity and lifelong commitment to children.
For more than 30 years, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has helped put books into the hands and hearts of children around the world. Through the program, enrolled children receive a free, high-quality book delivered directly to their homes each month from birth to age five, helping families create meaningful reading experiences and build a foundation for lifelong learning.
Locally, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has served over 11,000 Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll County families, connecting young readers with books and helping create opportunities for children to learn, imagine, and grow.
Give Like Dolly Day provides an opportunity for our three-county region to build on that impact by supporting the local Imagination Library program and helping bring the joy of reading to more children.
A Community United Through the Power of Reading
Behind every book delivered is a network of donors, volunteers, local partners, and community members who
believe that access to books can help children thrive.
On September 25, residents throughout Stephenson, Jo Daviess and Carroll County are encouraged to celebrate Dolly's legacy by taking action in their own communities.
Community members can participate by:
● Making a gift: Donate $9.25, or any amount, to help sustain and expand access to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
● Sharing a story: Tell how the Imagination Library has made a difference for a child or family.
● Reading together: Spend time reading with a child and encourage a lifelong love of books.
● Spreading the word: Share Give Like Dolly Day with friends, family, coworkers, and local businesses to
encourage community-wide support.
Every contribution helps strengthen the local program and creates opportunities to connect additional children and families with books.
Continuing Dolly's Legacy, One Book at a Time
Give Like Dolly Day is more than a single day of giving. It is an opportunity to recognize the community partnerships that make children's literacy possible and inspire continued investment in the next generation.
United Way Northwest Illinois encourages residents to join this collective effort and help build a community where more children have access to books, meaningful reading experiences, and opportunities to thrive.