Since the passing of country music legend Dolly Parton, there has been a surge in interest in the free books from her Imagination Library, with more than 500 Lackawanna County children now sitting on a waitlist.
To honor Parton’s legacy and help the book effort, the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties is launching a fundraising blitz — Be Like Dolly Day — to benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
On that day, or 9/25 — which references Parton’s hit song “9 to 5” — entities and individuals are encouraged to do something kind, creative or fun to raise money for the educational nonprofit, such as a dress-down day, wearing pink or Dolly-inspired attire, collecting donations from employees or customers, holding a workplace challenge, or making a direct contribution to sponsor a child. Communities across the country are planning similar Sept. 25 tributes. The United Way is a program partner for the nonprofit, which gives free books to children up to 5 years of age.
Angela Bassani, president and CEO of United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties, said while there has been a slight increase in donations to the Imagination Library, the number of people who signed up to receive books jumped significantly since Parton’s passing on Aug. 25.
She said 25 entities have told the organization they are participating, but United Way officials continue to find out about others who haven’t informed them. They plan to give out “Be Like Dolly” T-shirts to those participating or who donate $30 to sponsor a child in the program.
While any donation amount counts, she said it costs the organization $30 a year to cover a child receiving books through the Imagination Library. With 500 children on the waitlist, they would need $15,000 to take every one of them off the waitlist. There are currently 2,800 children receiving books, and running the Imagination Library costs the organization $85,000 a year.
“So every bit counts, because it helps us get more kiddos on that list receiving books every month,” Bassani said.
Hilary Steinberg, who owns Jaya Yoga in Clarks Summit, is one of many who plan to participate, offering a yoga class to people of all ages and levels at 5 p.m., with donations accepted that will go to the Imagination Library. She says participating is a chance to combine what she loves doing with helping others. She hopes to continue honoring Parton on Sept. 25 going forward.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community,” Steinberg said. “It’s an opportunity for us to be part of something that I think is pretty profound, and to be able to do that in the name and continue the tradition of a person who spent her life trying to make a difference, that’s powerful and incredible and a gift.”
She hopes the day inspires people to, like Parton, make a difference in the world, even in small ways such as holding a door open for someone.
Peoples Security Bank and Trust will mark the day by encouraging employees at its Lackawanna County locations, including its corporate headquarters in Moosic, to wear pink. There will be materials at all Lackawanna County locations with codes customers can scan to make donations. In addition, the bank is making a corporate donation of $925 to the Imagination Library, which Michael Cummings, senior vice president and director of marketing, said is enough to buy books for 30 children for the whole year.
A Dolly Parton display seen at the North Pocono Public Library Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Items related to the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on display at the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
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A Dolly Parton display seen at the North Pocono Public Library Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
He said the bank has supported the Imagination Library in the past through donations and praised the organization because it influences children to read.
“It’s a great program that provides children books to read throughout the year,” Cummings said. “It’s all no cost to the kids. It’s all through United Way, so we’re just really happy to support that effort to help give kids the opportunity to read more books.”
In addition, visitors at Fourth Fridays in Clarks Summit, the monthly shopping and arts event in downtown Clarks Summit, are encouraged to donate to the Imagination Library, while NBT Bank will hold a dress-down day.
The regional United Way was inspired to organize Be Like Dolly Day after seeing Parton’s family asking the public to honor her by giving to the Imagination Library.
“So we decided to do just that and create a day based off of her song, ‘9 to 5,’ to honor Dolly’s life and all that she did, and also raise awareness and funds for her Imagination Library,” Bassani said.
She pointed out in a news release that since it started in 2022, the Imagination Library has provided more than 110,000 free books to children in Lackawanna County.
Parton founded the educational nonprofit in 1995 because her father, who quit school to work on the family farm, struggled to learn to read. It has since grown across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia.
The Lackawanna County commissioners this week declared Sept. 25 Dolly Parton Appreciation Day. And officials at Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library declared that day “Give Like Dolly Day” nationwide.
Bassani hopes those participating in Be Like Dolly Day think about what Parton gave to children.
“This was something she built that was near and dear to her, because her father couldn’t read, and she decided she was going to try to help other children who might be in a similar situation to her family at that time by providing books for free to their homes so they have access to them,” she said.