New York (WRGB) — New York is marking Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day, honoring the country music icon and philanthropist after her death on Aug. 25 and tying the date to one of her most enduring hits, “9 to 5.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation designating Sept. 25 to recognize Parton’s life and legacy, Hochul said,
Not only did Dolly Parton create music that brought many together, she also spent her life giving back to those in need, and her iconic voice and generosity will never be forgotten here in New York. Today, we honor Dolly Parton’s powerful and heartwarming legacy by playing 9 to 5 and singing along in her memory.
The proclamation also spotlights New York’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an initiative that provides free books each month to participating children up to age 5, regardless of family income.
Earlier this year, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services announced the partnership. Hochul allocated $1 million in funding, doubling last year’s allocation, to cover half the costs for local nonprofits, libraries or public school systems to participate in the Imagination Library program. The partnership is part of broader efforts aimed at supporting children’s well-being and education across New York state.
Applications are still being accepted for organizations that want to join the program. Public libraries, schools and not-for-profit groups can apply through the OCFS funding opportunities page at ocfs.ny.gov/main/contracts/funding, with separate forms for New York City and the rest of the state.
Under the initiative, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library ships a new, high-quality, age-appropriate book once a month to children registered from birth until age five.
Parton launched the Imagination Library in 1995, inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, starting with children in her home county of East Tennessee. The program now spans five countries and delivers millions of free books each month worldwide. Funded by the Dollywood Foundation and local community partners in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Republic of Ireland, the program mails more than three million books globally each month and has delivered more than 330 million books since it was created.