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<\/p>\nSince 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.<\/p>\n
To honor Parton\u2019s legacy and help the book effort, the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties is launching a fundraising blitz \u2014 Be Like Dolly Day \u2014 to benefit Dolly Parton\u2019s Imagination Library.<\/p>\n
On that day, or 9\/25\u00a0 \u2014 which references Parton\u2019s hit song \u201c9 to 5\u201d \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s passing on Aug. 25.<\/p>\n
She said 25 entities have told the organization they are participating, but United Way officials continue to find out about others who haven\u2019t informed them. They plan to give out \u201cBe Like Dolly\u201d T-shirts to those participating or who donate $30 to sponsor a child in the program.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo every bit counts, because it helps us get more kiddos on that list receiving books every month,\u201d Bassani said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community,\u201d Steinberg said. \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019s powerful and incredible and a gift.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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A Dolly Parton display seen at the North Pocono Public Library Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Christine Lee\/Staff Photo)\n<\/p>\n
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Items related to the Dolly Parton\u2019s Imagination Library on display at the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. (Christine Lee\/Staff Photo)\n<\/p>\n
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A Dolly Parton display seen at the North Pocono Public Library Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Christine Lee\/Staff Photo)\n<\/p>\n