The Charlotte County Imagination Library gets books to local children for free. Above, a volunteer reads to kids during a Imagination Library carnival in 2023.
SUN FILE PHOTO BY STEVE LINEBERRY
PORT CHARLOTTE — Gaylin Morris wants the community to celebrate “Dolly Parton Day” on Sept. 25.
Morris, the executive director of The Charlotte County Imagination Library, hoping for some official government proclamations.
The date is a nod to Parton’s hit song “9 to 5.” (It’s 9/25, get it?)
“We are all celebrating Dolly’s legacy of getting books into the hands of children,” Morris said. “We’re celebrating her kindness, her love for everyone and all that Dolly is about.”
Morris requests businesses, organizations, schools and other agencies host events or reading-focused celebrations on Sept. 25.
Morris encourages communities celebrate through book readings, decorations, dressing like Parton and fund raising.
“We’re not having a location to come for a celebration,” Morris said. “It’s a push for others to conduct readings.”
She sent a request to Charlotte County commissioners and Punta Gorda’s City Council to officially proclaim Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day.
As of Wednesday, the County Commission included on its Sept. 22 meeting agenda a proclamation to make Sept. 25 “Dolly Parton 9-to-5 Early Literacy Day.” Punta Gorda City Council will do the same on Sept. 23.
The Charlotte County Imagination Library is administered by the Gilstad Literacy Foundation. It’s an affiliate of the national organization, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The program mails free books each month to registered families. A child can receive books from the time they are born until they reach their fifth birthday.
“My passion is for families with younger babies that have not started kindergarten yet to read to their children, and this program assists with that,” Morris said.
Organizations participating in Dolly Parton Day can fill out the library’s Google form at: tinyurl.com/a4nmb376
“She was the epiphany of love and kindness, and she loved every single person for who they were,” Morris said. “I strive to be like her and live that way.”
The Gilstad Literacy Foundation is partnering with Charlotte Players to host the fundraising event Comedy for a Cause on Oct. 23 at Twisted Fork restaurant in Port Charlotte. Morris said she will participate to raise money for the Imagination Library.
Form more information, visit: charlottecountyimaginationlibrary.org