News

United Way of the Southern Tier statement on the passing of Dolly Parton

August 25, 2026:

Today, United Way of the Southern Tier joins the millions who are mourning the loss of Dolly Parton, whose kindness and generosity, across the globe and right here in our region, will be remembered for generations to come.

More than 13,000 local children have received books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library since 2018. This free program, supported by donations to United Way and administered by the Dollywood Foundation, provides a book each month by mail to children until they turn age 5.

“Dolly gave children something wonderfully simple but incredibly powerful,” said Maleaha Smith, president and CEO of United Way of the Southern Tier. “Thousands of children in our community have grown up with that gift. Her legacy will live on in every child who discovers a love of reading because of the Imagination Library.”

Dolly was inspired to start the Imagination Library by her father, who could not read or write. The first recipients of books when the program started in 1995 were children in her hometown in Sevier County, Tennessee. Today the program spans five countries and has gifted over 300 million age-appropriate books to children worldwide.

Dolly once said: “You can never get enough books in the hands of enough children.” At United Way, we couldn’t agree more. The Imagination Library will live on, instilling a love of reading in children and standing as a tribute to the woman whose unlimited vision, bright spirit, and talent will continue to inspire.