MANSFIELD — Richland County will recognize Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day in honor of her longstanding commitment to children, early literacy and giving communities the opportunity to help young readers thrive.
Richland County Commissioners Daryl Banks, Cliff Mears and Tony Vero, along with Richland Public Health Commissioner Dr. Julie Chaya, will participate in a proclamation ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Commissioner’s Board Room at the Richland County Administrative Building.
The proclamation recognizes Dolly Parton’s contributions to children and literacy through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides enrolled children from birth through age 5 with a high-quality, age-appropriate book delivered to their home each month at no cost to their families.
Richland Public Health serves as the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Local Program Partner for Richland County, overseeing the local program and providing the primary funding needed to keep books coming to local children. Continued community support is essential to maintaining and strengthening the program in Richland County.
“Early literacy is about so much more than learning to read,” said Dr. Julie Chaya, Health Commissioner of Richland Public Health. “A child’s early experiences with books, language and reading help support healthy development, school readiness, family connections and lifelong well-being. Giving a child access to books is an investment in that child’s future.”
The cost of providing a book through the program is just $2.60 per month per child, or approximately $31 to sponsor one child for an entire year.
“Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference,” Chaya said. “A gift of $31 can help provide a child with a new book every month for an entire year. We welcome any and all donations from individuals, families, businesses, organizations and community partners who want to help make sure Richland County children continue to have this opportunity.”
Join the 9 to 5 Initiative on Sept. 25
Richland County residents can help celebrate Dolly Parton Day by participating in the statewide 9 Two 5 initiative on Sept. 25. The initiative encourages Ohioans to donate $9.25 to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
To direct a donation specifically to the Richland County Imagination Library, visit ohioimaginationlibrary.org and select “Richland County” from the drop-down menu.
Local residents will also have another opportunity to support the program through the Mickey’s Convenience Store Round Up effort. Customers who round up their purchases at Mickey’s locations on Sept. 25, will receive 500 bonus points on their account, while their spare change helps support the Richland County Imagination Library.
Donations may also be made in person at Richland Public Health or the Buckeye Imagination Museum.
“Richland County has a wonderful opportunity to come together around something that benefits our youngest residents,” Dr. Chaya said. “Whether someone gives $9.25, $31, or whatever amount they are able to contribute, those dollars help put books into the hands of children right here in our community. We are grateful for every person who chooses to support early literacy.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is available to eligible children in Richland County from birth through age five. Families can register their children at no cost through the program.
For more information about the Richland County Imagination Library, to donate or to register a child, visit ohioimaginationlibrary.org or call 419-774-4761.
About Richland County Imagination Library
Richland Public Health serves as the local program partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Richland County. The program provides eligible children from birth through age 5 with a new, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month at no cost to their families.
The program is made possible through community support and local funding, allowing Richland County children to build home libraries and develop a lifelong love of reading.