United Way fundraising for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

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BROOKINGS – Brookings Area United Way has partnered with its internal program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to host a fundraiser in order to ensure each child in the community, up to the age of 5, receives a free, age-appropriate book, regardless of income. 

This fundraiser is being held from Nov. 23 through Dec. 13.

The timing of this fundraiser is in coordination with the release of Parton’s new film, “The Library Dolly Built.” This film release will occur at 6 p.m. Dec. 9 on Facebook live. Viewers will get to watch Parton’s documentary live for the first time, see a live Facebook performance of Parton singing “Try,” the song representing the library, as well as a live Q&A session with Parton. 

Over the next three weeks, the public can support this fundraiser through a Facebook giving campaign located on the United Way’s Facebook page. Facebook is waiving the processing fees, so 100% of the proceeds will be donated to its affiliate to continue fostering a love of reading at a young age. 

The Brookings Area United Way’s focus this year for Giving Tuesday is centered around Parton’s Imagination Library and can be supported directly through the Facebook campaign or through the BAUW website, as well as by check/cash.

Brookings Area United Way currently has around 1,120 children signed up to receive a monthly book, and almost 2,800 children have graduated from the program. To support one child for a whole year, the cost is around $30. By giving, the donor gets to support growing a child’s love for reading.

Parton created the Imagination Library to inspire a love for books and reading amongst the nation’s preschool children. Since its inception in 1995, the Imagination Library has grown into a global endeavor and recently hit a new milestone, gifting its 150 millionth book. The Imagination Library is currently gifting books to 1.7 million children around the world each month.