Spencer, IA (northwestiowanow) — Communities across the country are recognizing Dolly Parton Day this Friday.
With Friday being the 25th day of the ninth month, the date is written as 9/25. The date was selected as a nod to country music icon Dolly Parton’s famous song “9 to 5.”
The observance also comes exactly one month after Parton’s passing on August 25th at the age of 80.
Lindy Hornby, who helped bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program to Clay County, says her passing generated an immediate response from the community.
Since July of 2022, children throughout Clay County have been eligible for the program from birth through age five. After registering, participating children receive a book in the mail at no cost.
Hornby says the books change depending on the age of the child.
While the foundation handles administrative costs and postage, the approximately two-dollar cost of each book is covered through local fundraising and community support.
Since its initial launch, the Clay County Imagination Library has served 743 children and mailed more than 17,600 books.
Residents can support the Clay County program by visiting ImaginationLibrary.com and finding the local program.
Checks can also be mailed to Daybreakers Kiwanis, P.O. Box 444, Spencer, Iowa 51301. Donations are also accepted through Venmo at @Spencer-Imaginationlibrary.
