Dolly Parton's Imagination Library celebrates literary milestone with book giveaway
CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library delivers free books children's books internationally to kids under five-years-old. In September, one of 4,000 local kids could open their book to see a bookmark with a ticket to a one-on-one experience with Parton.
"Kind of think of it as 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'. [There] you get a golden ticket, but this time it's a bookmark," said Lois Wilson, Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the United Way of the Southern Tier.
The United Way of the Southern Tier is the local affiliate of the Imagination Library, joining the organization in 2018. Since the library program's launch in 1995, they have sent over 200 million children's books around the globe. This Willy Wonka-esque contest is the organization's way of marking that milestone. The program is completely free for families, and the books are not to be given back.
"I think that's the part that people just... look at me and nod their head and go, 'What?' So a child, if you register them from the moment they're born until they turn five, [they] will have a chance to get 60 books that are all theirs to keep," Wilson said.
While around 4,000 chances in a contest with over 2 million participants is slim, officials are holding out hope one local kid will get to meet the country-star.
"I think if we all send some positive energy down to Tennessee, we might get something," said Wilson.
Contestant winners can choose between prizes like a video chat with Parton, a personalized signed letter from her, an autographed photo, or four Dollywood Theme Park tickets. Local Imagination Library partners will also receive $2,000 from from the Dollywood Foundation if a local child wins.
To learn more, or to sign up a child to be part of the program, click here.