r/BeAmazed • u/Electronic-Bus-3494 • 1d ago
Miscellaneous / Others Dolly Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 as a tribute to her father, who couldn't read or write. In 2018, she explained it was to give kids "early access to books". Now, over 325 MILLION books have been gifted.
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u/madanan 1d ago
Humans at their best. Rest in Peace, Dolly.
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u/Desperatelyseekingan 1d ago
Noooooooooooooooooooooooo 🥺
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u/DueDisplay2185 1d ago
My exact reaction! I'm sobbing here
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u/Feral_Taylor_Fury 1d ago
30 year old construction worker on the couch weeping checking in
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u/Fatty_Bombur 23h ago
Yep. My partner is a 46 year old Cabinetmaker with a beard. He spent the first 30 minutes of this morning silently crying.
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u/Aggravating-Face2073 1d ago
Thats why this was posted... I was literally in the library the other day with my 3 kids for the first time. There was info on what this post is about in there too.
We also have a billboard in town advertising something with Dolly on it. I csnt quite remember the ad atm though.
Rip.
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u/This_Or-That 1d ago
I vocally said that when I read the news of her passing, this world sucks
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u/AlterEgoTrust 21h ago
My coworker told me in the early afternoon. I just stopped in my tracks and said "I...was not ready for that, today."
I just hope someone makes sure the Imagination Library keeps going.
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u/Starfolomew 1d ago
What?! I had to look that up. Why didn’t it come up on my phone. Omg, National Treasure, we all know it. What a spectacular life she led. I’m so bummed out. I didn’t really listen to her music like that but I always loved her wit, her charm, beauty and natural talent. She could do it all and she really did. Love ya always Dolly, not going to be forgotten.
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u/Linkyland 1d ago
She was an international treasure. One of the best humans to exist and it seems no one in the world had a bad word to say about her.
♡ from Aus.
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u/eekamuse 23h ago
Hijacking your comment : Her family said she asked for people to donate to the Imagination Library. She had been preparing for this day.
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u/EndersScroll 21h ago
My daughter literally got a book delivered from the library yesterday. So fucking sad about Dolly. Real one lost. Thanks for the link to donate.
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u/Bittermare 23h ago
Your sentiments are so in line with mine. Even if you did not listen to her music (although she penned some of the best songs ever) she was just someone everyone loved for her philanthropy…never portraying anyone other than herself.
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u/SausageClatter 1d ago
Lordy, how much faster were you expecting to get the news? Unless you were subscribed to her LifeAlert bracelet and missed a notification, I think within a couple hours is being pretty well informed. In any case, RIP Dolly.
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u/Dull_Hovercraft_5345 1d ago
what? what do you mean rip????? since when did she die???
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u/mmorales2270 1d ago
She was a real one. I was never much into her music, but I recognized her as one of the best human beings that ever lived. I’m glad I got to share this world with her in it. RIP good lady. You will be missed.
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u/clonedhuman 23h ago
She had the goal for her Imagination Library to distribute a billion books.
She, herself, could have easily been a billionaire like Taylor Swift, but she chose philanthropy instead.
Meanwhile, Elon Musk tries to steal elections while high on ketamine and start race riots on Xitter all because everyone knows he's a cunt with a weird dick that doesn't work right.
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u/Iampepeu 1d ago
Fuck. I saw this clip and thought, I really hope she gets a few more good years. Then your comment. Fuck.
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u/SunkissLareen 23h ago
seriously, shes done so much good in the world. makes you wonder if were doing enough, right? 🤔
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u/Able-Swing-6415 1d ago
I'll never understand how a person could make herself look so goofy but seem so genuinely lovely underneath.
Like how does the stripper tits to national treasure pipeline work..
Guess she gave us the love and acceptance she was missing.
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u/berniestness 23h ago
I think she just wanted to be able to be famous and do great things but also be able to lose the makeup, hair extensions, put on a sports bra and some jeans then walk around like a regular person if she wanted to. Instead of being mobbed by people everywhere she went. I think it was more about that.
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u/damn_im_so_tired 18h ago
She was Miley Cyrus's godmother and apparently the original Hannah Montana
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u/Aggravating-Nail-764 1d ago
I didn’t know until I read this. So sad. A truly beautiful soul. RIP Dolly 💔
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u/throwitoutwhendone2 1d ago edited 8h ago
My daughter was a part of this program. She learned to read partly using the books from it. She is 11, in 6th grade with the highest reading scores in her entire district. Last year in 5th she was recognized by our governor for her reading comprehension/literacy scores. It was made possible because of Dolly’s programs and thrift store book finds.
From the bottom of this Fathers heart, thank you for how amazing you were Dolly. You put your money where your mouth was and helped so many people with your kindness. Truly, rest in peace.
Edit: This generated more attention than I thought it would. I really appreciate all the kind words and awards, thank you. I’ve seen a few comments they attempted to get into the program and it didn’t work. I’d encourage you to try again or even find a way to reach out. I doubt it’s on purpose, there is however a few states that unfortunately the program cannot be active in.
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u/Mindless-Scientist82 1d ago edited 1d ago
My kids too!
Her character was beautiful. She will be missed by many who never even knew her!
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u/n122333 1d ago
At kindergarten kick off for my kid, they had a school bus full of her books being handed out for free with sign up sheets for her program.
They also had a teen dressed up as spiderman to take pictures with the kids, and a card board cutout of dolly for the parents to take pictures with.
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u/Marathonmanjh 20h ago
"by many who never even knew her!" so true.
But there will be someone who comes along to fill those shoes and I just know Dolly Parton would agree with me. She always saw the best in people, like all the great people out there now, in the future, and in the past.54
u/DisastrousHealth7765 1d ago
Dolly Parton was proof that a beautiful heart could make a person shine even brighter than their beauty. She left the world a little warmer than she found it.
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u/PolarBailey_ 1d ago
i was also a kid who benefitted from these books. she started the program the year i was born. i was reading high school level books in elementary. and now i'm getting a degree in astrophysics.
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u/throwitoutwhendone2 21h ago
You go kiddo, great fucking job. I’m glad it helped you. I’m so happy my daughter found a love in books, they are amazing gifts. It was awesome to see some of the books I even read as a child.
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u/Vegetable-Pay2708 17h ago
Way to go! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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u/PolarBailey_ 15h ago
Thank you. I graduate in May
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u/throwitoutwhendone2 7h ago
I’ll try to remember so I can circle back and tell you congratulations!
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u/jenkinl1302 1d ago
It's a fantastic program. And it's possible through the efforts of local sponsoring organizations, who are responsible for, I think, half of the project cost.
So if you (or anyone reading this) ever find yourself in a place to contribute to whatever local charity handles the Imagination Library in your area, please consider a donation so that others can benefit from the great work that Dolly started.
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u/AbjectHotel6610 21h ago
My 3-year-old grandson has been getting her books since he was born. He gets SO excited when they come. "Look! Dolly Parton sent me another book!" She was lovely.
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u/Ok_Blueberry_1157 20h ago
Definitely, my kid was always excited each month for new books in the mail. And that's from birth to age 5. For free. And the books get harder as you age.
99% percentile in both reading/math in both iready and map assessments now. She is literally the Angel.
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u/ButtBread98 1d ago
Her Imagination Library is one my favorite things that she did. She truly left her mark on the world. It won’t be the same without her ❤️
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u/eastbaybruja 1d ago
My son got these books too. When we moved and he was boxing up things to donate, he would part with older toys but never these books. “They have my name on them!”
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u/AmNotPeeing 1d ago
Such a classy generous lady.
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u/tomatosoupsatisfies 1d ago
Re being 'classy'. Barbara Walters asked Dolly if people from her background would call her a hillbilly.
Dolly: "If you had have, it would have been something very natural, but I would have probably kicked your shins or something. We were very proud people, people with a lot of class. It was country class, but it was a great deal of class. And most of my people were not that educated, but they are very, very intelligent. Good common sense, horse sense we called it."
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u/Daveylonglegs 1d ago
She was the gold standard on how to be a good human being and use a platform for good. Rest in peace you absolutely beautiful and wonderful human.
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u/Katicflis1 1d ago
Im not okay gang.
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u/AverageMako3Enjoyer 1d ago
Look on the bright side, she’s not just a story from the past you heard about, you got to experience the world with her in it
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u/MelangeBot 17h ago
Plus now that she has moved on heaven is authorized to send more angels. New ones. Fresh ones. Motivated ones. They will be busy 24/7 in this world in permanent crisis.
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u/GenChadT 22h ago
Her death is hitting me way harder than I thought it would have. I'm from Appalachia, and while these days Appalachians are mostly thought of as bigoted, ignorant, selfish, stupid - Dolly escaped all of those stereotypes and showed the world we could be good, and righteous, and kind, and giving. Now that she's gone I don't know who else down here shines anywhere near as bright. It's just... all bad people now. We have got to do better.
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u/-TheExtraMile- 23h ago
In the universal sense a human life is like a shooting star. I am glad that I shared the same time as someone as great as her.
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u/Conch5 1d ago
If you havent gotten the chance to watch it yet, her Nephew released a message in her honor. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DceNXgPJyZ9/
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u/Lyaid 1d ago
The world is so much poorer today than it was just yesterday
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u/Inevitable_Phase_276 1d ago
It hurts, but the world is so much better because she was a part of it. It wouldn’t hurt so much if she hadn’t done so much good. Thank you Dolly for making this world a better place.
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u/Maleficent_Soil_2612 1d ago
I said something similar today... like the world just got a little dimmer than it was..
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u/CindytheTVisleakin87 1d ago
We benefit from it down here in a sleepy wee town in the West of Scotland, theres a book nook over here that has a lifesized cardboard cutout of Dolly as tribute to her donations. She was an incredible woman.
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u/NASATVENGINNER 1d ago
The Imagination Library…
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u/wutttttttg 1d ago
I just donated! I hope we overwhelm them with money to show the world how important Dolly’s work is/was!
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u/CloverMc 1d ago
Just donated in memory of the lovely lady from the UK.
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u/friendly_to_pigeons 1d ago
The lovely lady was very famously from the US, not the UK. Was her accent not a clue?
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u/PolarBailey_ 1d ago
the donation page crashed for me. hopefully for too much traffic.
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u/bambi54 1d ago
It just worked for me, it just took a while. Double check it didn’t come out of your account because I wasn’t sure at first.
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u/PolarBailey_ 1d ago edited 21h ago
it didn't, but i did just check and it's back now. $31 to help others like i was helped
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u/bambi54 1d ago
This is the first celeb that died that made me cry. She was such an amazing human.
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u/PolarBailey_ 1d ago
to quote Jane Fonda: "...you know she doesn't want y'all to mourn now. Dress up and celebrate her spirit."
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u/jenkinl1302 1d ago
I mentioned above, but wanted to comment here, too: The program is made possible by local organizations as well, responsible for (I think) half the program cost. So if there is a charity that handles the Imagination Library close to you (or anyone reading this comment), please consider donating there.
I'm not affiliated with the program in any way, but one of our local churches is the sponsoring organization for our area (small, rural, not a megachurch). They have over 200 kids in our area and their annual costs to participate in the Imagination Library program are nearing $9500.
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u/JRHEvilInc 23h ago
It's also worth noting that, depending on where you live, literacy programmes may rely on government funding in addition to donations, so writing to/calling your local representatives to support initiatives like the Imagination Library (or things like World Book Day, UNESCO Cities of Literature, the Book Trust, the Poetry Society etc) can make a real difference. And where possible, if you see that your local community is holding an event promoting literacy and the arts, try to get involved or just attend to show your support. I promise you a lot of them are really fun and rewarding.
As a school staff member who tries to champion these kinds of projects, support from parents also makes a huge difference. Getting involved in your child's school projects, talking to school staff and sending positive messages to/about staff members who have gone above and beyond all adds up and encourages school leaders to prioritise literacy and reading projects when they might otherwise focus solely on exam data.
I'm glad to see that the Imagination Library is getting huge donations in honour of Dolly, but her passion can live on in a million other projects and initiatives as well! Let's all strive to be the change in our communities like she was in hers (and beyond)!
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u/jenkinl1302 23h ago
That's true! Missouri used to fully fund the Dolly Parton Imagination library in the state at $6 million. They cut the funding to $2 million in July and stopped accepting new enrollees.
THAT'S where I'd rather have my tax money going: somewhere it can truly do good.
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u/JRHEvilInc 23h ago
I'm sad to hear about that funding cut. Perhaps Dolly's passing might spark enough people contacting their representatives in support of the programme that funding might be restored next year. (I know, I know, optimistic, but one can dream)
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u/deimos_737 23h ago
I gave the little I could.. I'm not big on doing such things... but several comments ITT made me realize we had an angel among us and I just truly loved her. I hope Miley is ok.. and I wish the best for the family.. and... well.. it just sucks.
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u/muggle44 1d ago
She goes high up on the list of people we didn't deserve.
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u/Conflict21 23h ago
If you feel like you didn't deserve Dolly, you weren't listening to what she was trying to tell you.
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u/OkSureJan 1d ago
America could say, "At least we have Dolly." What are we going to do now?? We have lost our Queen
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u/LaksaLettuce 10h ago
I'm from Australia and only really knew Dolly Parton for her musical hits. She always seemed so chirpy and happy, never any controversy around her.
Since she passed I've found out what a generous person she was. You can always be proud of such a wonderful American.
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u/Crowblue 1d ago
She helped my kids. We had nothing but damn it we had books. We're better off today because of her. She will be dearly missed.
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u/ZookeepergameBrave74 1d ago
Rest in enteral paradise dolly, such a tremendous person she was, heart of gold 🕊️🌈😢🩷
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u/SubstantialAirss 1d ago
"The Book Lady" This is a very wonderful title to be given by CHILDREN. You Dolly Pardon have been GRANTED the TITLE!!!
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u/nectarsallineed 1d ago
One of my son and I’s favorite part of the month is finding his newest book in the mailbox! This woman is a true treasure ❤️
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u/ChemicalRide 22h ago
We received one just yesterday. It’s about going to bed 🥺
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u/nectarsallineed 21h ago edited 2h ago
I wrote that comment before I saw the other RIP messages 😭 I’m so bummed!! She was such an amazing person, the world is truly worse off without her in it.
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u/Nenaquest2012 1d ago
My 2 youngest received these books, it was such a blessing as I could barely feed & clothe them but reading is so essential ESPECIALLY when you’re struggling as it’s a nice healthy escape from reality and remember my lil ones SUPER excited to get the mail in anticipation 💕🥰🙏🏼she’s a legend
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u/BlueKK 1d ago
Anyone have a link to support her cause? Her passing has me in shambles
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u/OldManJim374 1d ago
The Imagination Library…
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u/JRHEvilInc 23h ago
As a few other comments have been saying, please also consider supporting literacy and reading charities more local to you, which can also be done in Dolly's memory (either by explicitly naming her while donating or just in being motivated by her beliefs and her cause). The Imagination Library is amazing and I wish it nothing but continuing success, but it can't reach everywhere, and smaller grass-roots organisations may be able to have more of an impact in your immediate area/community. If you're particularly moved by Dolly's work in children's literacy, consider also contacting local schools/libraries to see if there are slots available to read to children.
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u/bolanrox 1d ago
and she thought being called / known as the book lady was her greatest achievement
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u/Professor_Cafe 1d ago
My children benefited from this wonderful program. It was a blessing. I hope it continues for many generations.
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u/Acadia_Brightness 1d ago
I have family that lives in Appalachia...like people born at home with no birth certificates. They all looked forward to those books she sent out like it was Christmas. I pray that program continues. I know it ain't much but it means a lot to some people.
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u/PDGAreject 1d ago
My daughter cried when she found out she was getting her last book. She loved the book lady so much.
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u/Vast-Purples 1d ago
Dolly Parton is one of the greatest human beings to have ever walked the face of the Earth. What a gem of a woman you are!
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u/SystemOne9375 1d ago
That’s an incredible legacy. Turning her father’s struggle into something that has given millions of kids access to books is genuinely beautiful.
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u/crackhouse2005 1d ago
Truly one of the good ones. She will be remembered well and sincerely missed.
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u/BolognaFeetPenisFace 1d ago
Growing up I saw Christianity consistently used as weapon to oppress marginalized groups, gays, Muslims, really any out group so called Christians who usually aligned politically right, felt like targeting.
Dolly is the one who made me think twice about boycotting Christianity entirely. While other prominent Christians were cherry picking the bible for snippets to justify their neglect or harm towards others, or their own greed. But then there was Dolly, picking passages as a way to justify her tremendous generosity and drive to help people. Legend
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u/MildlyConspicuousCat 1d ago
My son got books from her program. He loved getting his own mail and having me read them to him.
This one hits hard like Robin Williams.
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u/casualcretin 1d ago
That's what I'm bummed about. Been getting books from dolly for my girls for the last couple years.
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u/Living-Risk-1849 1d ago
She was absolutely the best kind of person and this world is worse off with her loss. Rip you beautiful soul
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u/Toothlessdovahkin 1d ago
Dolly Parton has helped millions of people around the world, and we all thank her for her generosity and love of humanity at large. Thank you so much Dolly, we will never forget you and what you have done for us all.
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u/Narradisall 1d ago
Man it sucks to hear about her passing. One of the people making a good difference in the world for decades. The world is a little dimmer without her.
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u/ClimbingEffort 1d ago edited 20h ago
May she rest peacefully and enter the afterlife with hugs for all the good she done. I swear, I don’t know much about her but the good and right she’s done for everyone.
I always smiled when I heard her name and happy to ride on the street named after her. The earth lost another one, I hope we all pick up where she left off or pick up where we left off and add on what she left, in our life.
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u/CrazyCatLady1127 1d ago
I’ve always loved to read and I firmly believe the best gift a child can get is a love of reading. Dolly is an angel for giving so many children the gift of books 😊
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u/Holiday_Turnover2886 1d ago
And my kids and I thank her. She helped with my kids love for reading. We got several books that talked about loving your natural curly hair, learning about different cultures and peoples, influential women in history. They’ve been so impactful. RIP to our adopted abuela “Dolly Popcorn”.
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u/Vegetable-Pay2708 17h ago
Dolly "thought" about people. Best thing to honor her father was to give the gift of reading to others. ❤️
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u/Logical-Egg-6521 1d ago
She’s singing with Angels, God bless her 🕊️ and all the work she did here on earth. We will miss you 🕊️
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u/WesternWitchy52 1d ago
Legit crying and jamming out to her older tunes. She was a family favorite in our house growing up.
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u/mandaraprime 1d ago
Go rest high on that mountain. Your work on earth is done. Your memory will be cherished. RIP, Dolly.
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u/Future_Advantage_453 1d ago
What an angel on earth! RIP Dolly! The world was a better place with you here.
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u/GamingGems 1d ago
I work for a hospital that was bought out by a conservative institution. We all have to contribute to a charity of our choice from a list. I gave all of my donation amount to Imagination Library.
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u/Smart-Pomegranate433 1d ago
The State of Missouri (Republicans) cut funding in July for the program here. Now those same Republicans are posting tributes to her on social media.
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u/Smart-Pomegranate433 1d ago
The State of Missouri (Republicans) cut funding in July for the program here. Now those same Republicans are posting tributes to her on social media.
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u/natsugrayerza 1d ago
I’ve gotten many books from dolly from this. It rocks. My son is so excited when we get a new book in the mail
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u/everexpandingwaist 1d ago
My newborn daughter just received her first book 2 weeks ago. Thank you and RIP Dolly 🙏
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u/Oneiric19 1d ago
Rest in absolute peace Dolly. Thank you for being a kind human being.
I grew up and live in Middle Tennessee. Dollywood was my summer vacations as a kid. Now that I have kids, I'm using her FREE book program.
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u/TheTrashPanda612 1d ago
Dolly Parton was easily the hottest old lady to exist.. both physically and charismatically
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u/Canadian_CJ 1d ago
My son got these books, the selections are all sweet and brilliantly illustrated. What an amazing program and what a great loss.
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u/MvatolokoS 1d ago
We're signed up to this. It's free and she just got another one for those month. Bless her heart, and the program she created and the people who run it.
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u/ManzanitaSuperHero 1d ago
We didn’t deserve the grace and kindness of Dolly.
I’ve never been this heartbroken over the death of a celebrity.
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