September 25 is Give Like Dolly Day — and this year, we’re celebrating by investing in something that can make a lasting difference for children right here in Columbia County: books.

For more than eight years, United Way of Northwest Oregon has been proud to serve as the local affiliate partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Columbia County. Through the program, children from birth to age five receive a free, high-quality book delivered directly to their home every month.

Over the years, more than 4,500 Columbia County children have experienced the excitement of opening their mailbox and finding a book with their name on it.

And right now, something exciting is happening.

More Families Are Signing Up

Over the past month, we have seen a dramatic increase in Imagination Library enrollments.

That means more Columbia County families are discovering what so many families before them have experienced: the joy of receiving a new book every month and having an opportunity to read, talk and learn together.

We love seeing this growth. But it also means we need our community’s help to make sure we can continue saying yes to every eligible child.

Local Donations Make These Gifts Possible

One of the most important things to understand about the Imagination Library is that local donations make these monthly book gifts possible for Columbia County children.

The Dollywood Foundation provides the program, book selection and resources that make Imagination Library possible around the world. Local affiliate partners, like United Way of Northwest Oregon, are responsible for raising the local funds needed to cover the cost of books and mailing.

So when you donate to our local Imagination Library program, your gift helps put a book into the home of a child in our own community.

It could be a toddler’s first favorite book.

It could become part of a family’s bedtime routine.

It could inspire a child to ask questions, imagine new possibilities or discover a lifelong love of reading.

What Does It Mean to “Give Like Dolly”?

Dolly Parton has spent her life encouraging people to dream more, learn more, care more and be more. Her Imagination Library began with a simple belief: children deserve the opportunity to grow up surrounded by books and encouragement.

You don’t have to be Dolly Parton to make a difference.

You can Give Like Dolly simply by helping a child in your community.

This September 25, you can:

📚 Give — Make a donation to support Columbia County’s Imagination Library.

📣 Share — Tell a family with a child from birth to age five about the program.

❤️ Celebrate — Share your family’s Imagination Library story and help others see the impact of a book arriving in the mailbox every month.

Help Us Keep the Books Coming

We are incredibly grateful for the Columbia County community that has supported Imagination Library since 2018. The recent increase in enrollments shows us that families want this program — and that there is still a tremendous opportunity to reach even more children.

Every local donation helps make another book possible.

On September 25, help us Give Like Dolly and make sure Columbia County’s youngest readers continue to receive the gift of a book every month.

Is your child enrolled?

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is available to eligible children from birth through age five in participating Columbia County communities.

Visit ImaginationLibrary.com and select “Check Availability” to find out if your child is eligible and enroll today.

Want to help?

Your donation can help provide books to local children throughout their early years.

Give Like Dolly. Give locally. Give the gift of a book.