Letter – Dolly's legacy is alive in IW

Editor, The Smithfield Times: Dolly Parton's impact reaches far beyond her music. She inspired generations through her kindness, generosity, love and unwavering belief that EVERY child deserves the chance to dream — including hundreds here in Isle of Wight! Through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL), Dolly has helped put free books into the hands and hearts of millions of children since 1995, sparking a love of reading and opening doors to brighter futures. The Isle of Wight DPIL Committee is honored to carry that legacy forward. Through our partnership with the DeGood Foundation in Newport News and generous community literacy partners such as Smithfield Foods, Smithfield VA Events, the Town of Smithfield, the Smithfield Kiwanis Club, the Woman's Club of Windsor and other generous groups and individuals, we will continue helping put books into the hands of Isle of Wight children, birth to age 5. We are thankful for Dolly's life in showing us what it means to use our blessings to make the world a little kinder, brighter, and more helpful. Her legacy will live on — not only through her music but through every child who opens a book, discovers a new world and learns to dream a little bigger! Birth to age 5 children who reside in Isle of Wight can be registered at imaginationlibrary.com to receive a free, age-appropriate book by mail each month. Each book costs $2.60 and, presently, there are over 800 county children enrolled; however, this is only 42% of the ones who qualify. The state of Virginia provides 50% of the local funding. Isle of Wight literacy partners are responsible for the rest.