ATLANTA — Above and beyond Dolly Parton’s stardom from her music and acting roles, perhaps the biggest thing her legacy will leave behind is the gift of books to millions of children.
Parton passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80.
The country superstar always talked about her humble beginnings in Tennessee. Her father never learned how to read or write, and that influenced her later on in life, leading to Parton’s Imagination Library.
The program launched in 1995 from her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee.
“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer,” Parto said. The seeds of these dreams are often found in books, and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”
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According to the latest stats from the organization, Imagination Library has given away 318 million books to kids across the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland.
Several counties across Georgia are part of the Imagination Library program. They include: Bartow, Haralson, Fannin, Union, White, Towns, Lumpkin, Dawson, Hall, Oconee, Greene, Putnam, Fayette, Henry, Troup, Upson, Butts, Jasper, and Oglethorpe counties.
Patron’s family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, they would like people to donate to the Imagination Library. CLICK HERE if you would like to contribute.