Friday marks the inaugural “Give Like Dolly Day,” a nationwide push to honor the late Dolly Parton’s commitment to childhood literacy by supporting the Imagination Library, the free-book program she founded in 1995. The event, announced Sept. 14, deliberately falls on Sept. 25—a nod to Parton’s iconic anthem “9 to 5.”
The Dollywood Foundation, which oversees the Imagination Library, framed the day as a chance to spotlight local partners and rally communities around organizations that get books into children’s hands. “Give Like Dolly Day will shine a light on Imagination Library Partners and encourage communities to rally around them and other local organizations helping children where they live,” the foundation said in its announcement.
The program was inspired by Parton’s father, who never learned to read or write. Since its launch nearly three decades ago, the Imagination Library has expanded from its Tennessee roots to reach children across the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Canada. Parton’s death earlier this year has only intensified efforts to cement her philanthropic legacy, which also included support for disaster relief and vaccine research.
Several companies are participating in Friday’s drive by directing proceeds from special products or events to the Imagination Library. American Eagle, for instance, is donating all proceeds from two items: the Dolly Jean—a renamed version of its Super-High Waisted Flare Jean—and a Dolly Parton Graphic Tee. The jean is available in stores and online, while the tee is online-only.
Regal Cinemas is screening two of Parton’s most beloved films, “Steel Magnolias” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” with tickets priced at $9.25. “All proceeds will go to Dolly’s childhood literacy foundation, the Imagination Library through the Regal Foundation,” the theater chain said in a promotional statement.
Food and beverage brands are also joining in. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, a Nashville staple, said it will donate one book per qualifying order placed at its Tennessee locations, with orders made directly through the restaurant, its website, or its app. Jenni’s Ice Cream is giving 25 percent of sales from two Dolly-inspired flavors—“Dough-lene” and “Scoop of Ambition”—during a three-hour window from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at any of its shops. The Protein Bar is offering a limited-edition “The Dolly” shake and will donate 25 percent of sales from its Chicago and downtown Indianapolis locations. “A shake that sparkles inside and out, just like Dolly herself,” the company said on Instagram.
These corporate contributions come as Parton’s cultural and civic influence continues to be recognized. Earlier this year, Nashville’s airport board voted to rename the facility in her honor, and her death prompted tributes from figures ranging from Miley Cyrus to the Royal Guards, who played “9 to 5” at Buckingham Palace. Parton’s legacy extends beyond music; she was a rare figure who bridged entertainment and public service, and her philanthropic model is now being studied by policymakers and nonprofit leaders alike.
For supporters, “Give Like Dolly Day” is more than a marketing moment—it’s a call to sustain a program that has distributed hundreds of millions of books. As the day unfolds, the hope is that the donations, large and small, will keep Parton’s mission alive for a new generation of readers.
