SCRANTON, Pa. — Prayers are flooding in for country music star Dolly Parton, who passed away peacefully in Nashville on Tuesday.

Known as much for her chart-topping music as for her philanthropy, Parton’s influence was felt right here in Northeast PA.

“Really, her shared legacy of giving children books a month and really what united way aligns with” says Sue Youtz of United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike Counties.

The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne, & Pike Counties has been part of Parton’s Imagination Library Program since 2022.

The organization has sent out over 110,000 books to children in Lackawanna County, with 3,000 currently enrolled to receive a book every month.

“It’s just incredible what she’s done, and we’re really proud to carry on that legacy and passion,” states Youtz.

United Way in Scranton has put on a storybook breakfast fundraiser for two years now to support their efforts made possible by Dolly.

“That helps offset and bridges the gap for any of the programs that we want to keep going and keep the children receiving the books in the mail each month,” notes Youtz.

“She very much has that essence about her of bringing people together, which is also something that our organization does,” says Zamarra Vrabel, Development & Engagement Coordinator at United Way in Scranton.



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She was able to put on the breakfast as an intern, where she got to see first-hand children receive the gift of reading.
 
“That’s what Dolly wanted, she wanted each child to be able to have the equal opportunity, and what we’re doing is living out Dolly’s dream and hopefully pushing those children’s dreams forward in the future” says Vrabel.

At Gallery of Sound near Wilkes-Barre, Parton’s music was always a big seller.

“She was always just keeping up with the times,” says Joe Nardone Jr, owner of Gallery of Sound. “We’ve always stocked and sold a lot of Dolly Parton over the years.” 

No matter her audience’s age, they say her work has a timeless feeling.

“She had a lot of hit records over the years and just really popular of people of all ages” notes Nardone.

According to her family, a small, private service for Parton will be held for immediate family, with a request to make donations to her imagination library.

Dolly Parton was 80 years old.