LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Southern California communities marked the first official Dolly Parton Day on Thursday with book drives, charitable donations and celebrations honoring the country music icon’s legacy of giving.<\/p>\n
The observance falls on Sept. 25, a nod to Parton’s hit song, “9 to 5.”<\/p>\n
At Amoeba Hollywood, the record store joined the celebration by donating a portion of proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and offering used books at 30% off. The store also set up a Dolly-themed photo backdrop for fans.<\/p>\n
California became the first state to officially establish Sept. 25 as an annual Dolly Parton Day<\/p>\n
“We’re so happy that the state of California is doing this everywhere and we’re happy to participate,” said Kara Lane of Amoeba Music.<\/p>\n
The store aimed to provide a gathering place for fans celebrating Parton’s life and legacy.<\/p>\n
“We put together a little photo backdrop and Amoeba is kind of a community gathering spot when we lose an iconic artist. We find that people want to just go somewhere, listen to music and maybe just interact with other fans,” Lane said.<\/p>\n
WATCH: From Tennessee to communities across SoCal, fans honor Dolly Parton’s legacy<\/p>\n
As fans marked Dolly Parton Day on Sept. 25, or “9-2-5,” celebrations stretched from Tennessee to Southern California and honored the country music icon through giving.<\/p>\n
Visitors said Parton’s impact extends well beyond country music.<\/p>\n
“I love her, she’s an idol of mine. So, it’s really cool. I didn’t even know they celebrated her as a day here,” said Megan Winters of Savannah, Georgia.<\/p>\n
“She’s done so much, not only for the state of Tennessee and the south, but I feel like the whole country. I mean, Imagination Library is one of the coolest foundations I’ve heard of. Actually his little cousin, she gets books from Imagination Library,” Winters added.<\/p>\n
The focus on literacy was also evident at Holy Angels School in Arcadia, where students dressed in Western attire or Dolly Parton-themed clothing and collected children’s books for donation to Literally Healing at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
“It helps kids because we’re giving them books and… I like dressing up,” said student Nicolette.<\/p>\n
Principal Aimee Dyrek said Parton’s personality helped inspire the celebration.<\/p>\n
“What I know of Dolly Parton, growing up is that she was very playful, had a playful spirit, had a great sense of humor and an awesome sense of fashion,” Dyrek said.<\/p>\n
In North Hollywood, Moby’s Coffee & Tea Company hosted a children’s book drive inspired by Parton’s well-known support for literacy programs.<\/p>\n
“And in that spirit, we are collecting books for children. So come on down to Moby’s, bring your children’s book. drop it off here and, you know, spread some love. Spread some literacy to kids,” said Chris Riley.<\/p>\n
The books collected at the coffee shop will be distributed to foster youth, according to Jennifer Jackson.<\/p>\n
“These books will go in the hands of foster youth that are in very much need of something like a good book, just like Dolly would have wanted,” Jackson said.<\/p>\n
Moby’s also created a special peach raspberry lemonade with edible pink glitter to commemorate the day.<\/p>\n
“And a dollar of every one of these goes to the Imagination Library,” Jackson said.<\/p>\n
The celebration extended beyond Southern California. Fans gathered at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, to honor Parton on the inaugural observance.<\/p>\n
“I’m so happy that I’m here to experience all this,” one visitor said.<\/p>\n
Fans will have another opportunity to celebrate Parton next month when the 1980 comedy film “9 to 5” returns to theaters for a one-week run beginning Oct. 9. According to organizers, all U.S. ticket sales will be donated to The Dollywood Foundation in support of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.<\/p>\n
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