Columbus, OH — On Tuesday, August 9, Dolly Parton was welcomed to Ohio during the 2022 Inaugural First Lady’s Luncheon.

The luncheon supported Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio and celebrated the statewide success of the program so far. Currently, 343,490 children in Ohio are enrolled in the Imagination Library program, representing 48% of eligible children.

More Ohio children are receiving Imagination Library books than in any other state.

The program’s statewide popularity is echoed locally. 1,106 Washington County children are currently enrolled (34% of eligible children) with nearly 200 children on the waiting list.  

County affiliates were invited to attend and witness the gifting of quilts to Dolly Parton and Ohio’s First Lady Fran DeWine. Each quilt was made from 88 squares to represent each of Ohio’s 88 counties. Affiliates worked with a group of preschoolers to design a square representing their represented area. Additionally, Dolly Parton presented First Lady DeWine with a copy of her book, Coat of Many Colors.

“Dolly visiting Ohio was incredible to witness,” said Heather Allender, President & CEO of Marietta Community Foundation. “Her father’s inability to read and write inspired her to start the program, and now she’s inspiring children and families worldwide to spend quality time together reading.”

“We’re proud to be the affiliate for this program in Washington County, but it’s only able to thrive because of the generosity of donors,” Allender added. “It’s been growing in popularity and the funds raised through our Match the Imagination campaign have already been exhausted. We hope that community members will follow Dolly’s lead and  inspire a love of reading by sponsoring a child’s registration.”

Community members can sponsor a child’s registration online at https://www.mcfohio.org/imagination-library. A gift of $25 will provide books for one child for one year. A gift of $125 will provide one child with books for 5 years — from birth until age 5.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program mails children one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month from the time they are born until they turn five years old. All kids in Ohio are eligible to be enrolled at no cost to families. Parents and guardians interested in enrolling their child in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio can visit www.OhioImaginationLibrary.com.

Marietta Community Foundation brings together passionate donors and causes to improve Washington County, Ohio for generations to come. Founded in 1974, the Foundation manages more than 350 funds and has distributed more than $24.5 million to charities while meeting rigorous national standards in the community foundation sector.