The University of Central Arkansas Division of Outreach & Community Engagement will celebrate Give Like Dolly Day Friday, Sept. 25, as part of a nationwide effort led by the Dollywood Foundation to annually recognize Dolly Parton’s philanthropic impact through the Imagination Library program.
UCA will partner with the Faulkner County Library and The Max Event Venue in Conway to host a series of events on 9/25 (“9 to 5”) to promote reading and celebrate the life, music and legacy of Dolly Parton.
“Dolly’s Reading Roundabout” will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at the library. Community leaders will read multiple stories to children at various stations, ending with a refreshing treat. “Remembering Dolly!” will be held that evening at The Max. Adults are invited to this after-hours event where they can share in their adoration for Dolly by viewing various recorded performances throughout her career while reflecting on her worldwide impact.
The Faulkner County Imagination Library is supported by the state of Arkansas, sponsorships from community businesses and individual donors. UCA Outreach & Community Engagement administers the program by ensuring that enrollments are processed and offering additional programming such as a graduation celebration for children enrolled in the program as they transition to kindergarten.
In Faulkner County, 4,100 children are currently enrolled to receive a book by mail each month. Books include a mix of classic and lesser-known titles, as well as several bilingual Spanish/English books. All children receive “The Little Engine That Could” as their first book and finish the program with “Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come!”
More details about Give Like Dolly Day events are available at uca.edu/outreach/dolly or by contacting outreach@uca.edu with questions. Faulkner County families interested in enrolling a child in the Imagination Library can learn more and register via the same site.
Community members can support the local Imagination Library and associated programming by giving to the Imagination Library fund of the UCA Foundation at uca.edu/go/dolly.