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Entertainers
Philanthropy - Dolly
Parton’s Imagination Library Distributes 25 Millionth Book
Dolly Parton presented the reading program’s 25 millionth book to four-year-old Kumar Stewart of Birmingham, Ala.
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. USA -- (BUSINESS WIRE) Wedneday June 16, 2010 Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library marked another milestone on Friday, June 11, 2010, as Dolly Parton presented the reading program’s 25 millionth book to four-year-old Kumar Stewart of Birmingham, Ala. “The Junior League of Birmingham is honored to be a sponsor of the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library program in Jefferson County (Ala.) The impact that this program has on school readiness for the children of our community and across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom is immeasurable” “I never in a million years thought we would help give away 25,000,000 books,” Dolly Parton said. “I know a lot of times I get all of the credit but really and truly, it’s the local Imagination Library sponsors that deserve all of the credit for our success.” The Birmingham Junior League sponsors the city’s Imagination Library in which Stewart is a registered participant. “The Junior League of Birmingham is honored to be a sponsor of the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library program in Jefferson County (Ala.) The impact that this program has on school readiness for the children of our community and across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom is immeasurable,” said Liz Edwards, President of the Junior League of Birmingham. Stewart is the son of Shalisha and Ray Stewart and is an independent reader who is enrolled in Preschool Partners. Stewart’s sister, Shinera, is an Imagination Library graduate and a rising first grader at Center Point Elementary School in Birmingham, while his brother, Keylon, is currently enrolled in the Imagination Library. The book presentation coincided with the opening day festivities for Dollywood’s annual summertime KidsFest celebration which continues through Aug. 1. The Imagination Library, which began in 1996 in Parton’s native Sevier County in East Tennessee, provides an age appropriate book to participating children ages five and under in 1,200 communities in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom that sponsor the program. Upon entry into kindergarten, participating children have collected a 60-volume library that includes The Little Engine That Could and Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come. More than seven million books will be distributed in 2010. Currently, slightly fewer than 600,000 children receive a book each month from the “Book Lady,” as Parton is affectionately known to younger fans. To provide the Imagination Library, a community must make the program accessible to all preschool children in their area. The community pays for the books and mailing, promotes the program and registers the children. Parton’s not-for-profit Dollywood Foundation manages the delivery of books to children’s homes. Parton is often recognized for her humanitarian efforts, especially her desire to promote reading by parents to children through her Imagination Library. On June 23, 2010, Parton will be the keynote speaker at the Rotary International convention in Montreal where more than 15,000 Rotarians from around the world will be in attendance. On March 6, 2009, Rotary International announced a collaborative effort to promote the Imagination Library in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom. (Business Wire) © Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |
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