Dr. Dawnté Early of United Way California Capital Region presents Amethyst Josephine Franco of Woodland with the 100,000th book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Yolo County. The book was presented at a press conference announcing the expansion of the program to Sacramento County. Photo courtesy of United Way

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - United Way California Capital Region presented Amethyst Josephine Franco of Woodland and her family with the 100,000th book from the region’s Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which the local United Way manages.

The family is a participant in the program, which mails a book each month to children from birth to age 5 regardless of family income. The book was presented at a press conference last week when United Way announced the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Sacramento County. Families across Yolo and Sacramento counties can sign up at https://www.yourlocalunitedway.org/our-work/youth-opportunity/dolly-parton-imagination-library to receive the free books.

“When we invest in a child’s imagination, we invest in their future,” said Dr. Dawnté Early, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is more than books. This program is about opening doors, sparking dreams and imagination, and making sure every child, no matter their zip code, has access to books from an early age.”

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library began in Sevier County, Tenn., where Parton grew up, and has since expanded internationally. In California, the Imagination Library is also supported by a 50% state match, administered through the California State Library.

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a nonprofit organization, has gifted more than 280 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and The Republic of Ireland.

This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and local community partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age 5 at no cost to families. 

Parton envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to dream more, learn more, care more and be more. The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information: https://imaginationlibrary.com/.

United Way California Capital Region has been a driving force across the region for more than 100 years, listening, responding and taking comprehensive action to meet local needs. From advancing youth opportunities and helping kids excel in school, to strengthening local communities and investing in families’ financial security and health, United Way mobilizes communities to build a future where everyone can reach their full potential and thrive.

Working across Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento and Yolo counties, the local United Way provides books and literacy tutoring, addresses housing and food security, leads the region’s largest tax preparation initiative, works with foster youth across school districts, launched the region’s first guaranteed income program and leads the Community Schools initiative in West Sacramento. To make a donation: www.YourLocalUnitedWay.org.