Dolly Parton didn’t have any children of her own. However, while that was the case, she made sure to do her bit to help children in the best way she could, not least through her Imagination Library, a book-gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school. Now, one parent has shared a letter Dolly sent with the final book her daughter received, and it’s breaking hearts.
Dolly Parton died on August 25, at 80 years old. The legendary country musician had battled cancer before passing and did her last interview only four days earlier.
Parton is leaving behind a musical treasure larger than anyone can imagine. Throughout her life, she touched hearts and changed lives worldwide with her music. However, it was outside the recording studio and world stages that she had the biggest impact.
Dolly Parton was a major philanthropist, donating substantial funds to those in need and supporting medical research, including the development of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Despite not having children of her own, Dolly wanted to give it all to other children. Therefore, in 1995, she created the Imagination Library. Its purpose was to send free books to children from birth to age five to inspire a passion for reading.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides books to millions of children
It was created as a tribute to her father, who could not read or write.
“Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams,” Dolly said, per the Imagination Library website.
“Inspiring kids to love to read became my mission. In the beginning, my hope was simply to inspire the children in my home county but here we are today with a worldwide program that gives a book a month to well over 3 million children.”
As of today, more than 300 million books have been distributed. After her death, details on the love Dolly showed for the children connected to the cause have been revealed through one mother.
The children receive a free, age-appropriate book every month until they begin school. On X, one parent posted the final book her daughter had gotten in the mail, which included a note from Dolly.
“This note in the final book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library wrecked me last year when my daughter turned 5,” the parent, Hannah, wrote on X. “Tearing up again reading it now.”
Dolly Parton’s final message to millions of children
As of this writing, the post has received more than 80,000 likes and over a million views. And it’s not hard to understand that it has made many fans tear up.
With the last book, Dolly, or who the children got to know as “The Book Lady, sent a goodbye and good luck.
“Dear Imagination Library Graduate,” the letter from Dolly Parton began.
“Wow, how time flies! It seems like only yesterday when your family signed you up for my Imagination Library. You were just a little baby, and now you’re 5 years old and about to go to school. How exciting!
This may be your last book from my Imagination Library, but you have to promise me you will keep on reading. If you go to your local public library, you will find a great number of books just for kids your age. Every book is a treasure, and every time you open one up, you will meet new friends and take wonderful journeys to magical places.
I hope you have a great time in school. I bet your school will even have a library where you can check out books.
You and all your friends are very special. There is no limit to what you can do or how far you can go. Just remember the lessons my family taught me: Dream big dreams, learn everything you can and care for those who care for you. You do all of these things and you can be anyone you want to be.
You are terrific!
Remember, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!“
Dolly Parton was truly one of a kind. Thank you for all you have done for millions of people; we will never forget you. Rest in peace.
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