Amid the outpouring of people remembering the life of music icon Dolly Parton after her death on Tuesday, there are reminders that a Parton literacy program has had reach into Siouxland.
She created the Dolly Parton Imagination Library as an at-home literacy program. The program gives one free book per month to families with children under age 5.
A Thursday social media post by United Way of Siouxland said the Imagination Library program has been in place via United Way of Siouxland for 26 years, with 11,000 children served with books.
A second post cited United Way of Siouxland receiving an autographed copy of “The Little Engine That Could” from Parton.
“It still has a special place in our office today…She came from humble beginnings, dreamed big and built an extraordinary life, while never forgetting where she came from,” the post said.
In Dickinson County, Iowa, the Imagination Library has been successful, Explore Okoboji reports. Amy Pas, of Arnolds Park, said more than 550 children have gotten books.
Pas said studies have shown how the Parton books endeavor has aided early education and given students a leg up as they head into kindergarten.
