United Way of Southern Kentucky to host ‘9 to 5 for Little Readers’ fundraiser

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – United Way of Southern Kentucky is hosting “9 to 5 for Little Readers,” a one-day fundraiser benefiting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library on Sept. 25.

According to a release by the nonprofit, the event, inspired by Parton’s hit song “9 to 5,” encourages individuals, businesses and organizations to contribute between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to provide free, age-appropriate books to children throughout southern Kentucky.

Parton’s legacy extends beyond her career in music, including philanthropy and a commitment to education, according to United Way.

Through Parton’s Imagination Library, children from birth to age 5 can receive a free, age-appropriate book in their mailbox monthly at no cost to their families, the nonprofit says.

This equates to a child having up to 60 books in their personal library by the time they graduate the program.

Locally, the program is administered by United Way of Southern Kentucky.

“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has truly changed our kids’ lives, and we are so grateful to United Way of Southern Kentucky for facilitating this incredible program in our community. Our kids look forward to receiving a new book in the mail every single month, and it feels almost like every time we check the mailbox! It has allowed us to start reading with them early and helped make books and reading something they genuinely get excited about. Watching their little faces light up when they see a book waiting for them has been such a special gift to our family. We are incredibly thankful to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and United Way for helping foster a lifelong love of reading in our children,” Hilary Kelly, DPIL parent.

According to United Way, the program is still seeing tremendous growth in the region. During August, the nonprofit says over 10,000 local children received a free book through the Imagination Library, an increase of 725 children compared to July.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading,” said Debbie Hills, president and CEO of United Way of Southern Kentucky. “With community support, we can place more books into the hands of local children and help build strong foundations for lifelong learning.”

Every dollar raised will support enrolling local children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and ensure that Southern Kentucky’s youngest readers have access to books in their home, United Way says.

Donations can be made at uwsk.org/give.