While many know Dolly Parton for her legacy in country music, the singer expanded her career far beyond the studio. Having appeared in several films, the star also created an empire that featured a theme park, water park, and even a few dinner theaters. But among all her accomplishments, Dolly always loved giving back with her Dollywood Foundation. She even focused on helping children learn to read with the Imagination Library. Offering children one free book a month, it seems that Governor Mike Braun looked to defund the program.
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For parents who signed up for the Imagination Library, they would receive one free book a month for their child. The program ended when the child turned five. Wanting to help future generations, Dolly’s creation of the program came after watching her father struggle with reading. Now, with the program on the verge of being defunded, Dolly is looking at the Republican governor to reverse his stance.
Releasing a statement, a representative for Dolly said, “We are hopeful that Governor Braun and the Indiana Legislature will continue this vital investment by restoring the state’s funding match for local Imagination Library programs.” They added, “The beauty of the Imagination Library is that it unites us all — regardless of politics — because every child deserves the chance to dream big and succeed.”
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Dolly Parton Helped Deliver Over 260 Million Books
While helping children, Dolly also received help from the government which offered a 50 percent matching fund for the Imagination Library. But with a new budget being proposed, the program might lose that funding.
Showing just how crucial the program is for children learning to read, Dolly’s representative declared, “The State of Indiana has been a proud partner in bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to over 125,000 Hoosier children each month. Together, we’ve helped nurture a love of reading, given families precious moments of joy, and built a foundation for lifelong learning.”
Only time will tell if Braun decides to correct the mistake and keep the funding as Dolly has delivered over 260 million books since creating the program during the 1990s.
(Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
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