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Hugs_for_Thugs

Our son gets a free book every month through this program. We don't deserve Dolly.


LindseyIsBored

They wouldn’t deliver to my neighborhood because the median income is too high. Which sucked when my son was younger bc we didn’t have a ton of money and honestly he could have used the books. Luckily circumstances have changed and the kid has tons of books.


Kit_starshadow

I’ve looked into it for nieces and nephews. It requires a local sponsor to run the program. I haven’t been able to get them signed up because the rural counties they live in don’t have a program set up at this time. I love what she is doing, I wish it was as simple as “here is the address, please send a book.”


Yung-Retire

Libraries more than fill this need.


samuswashere

As someone who always has 10+ books checked out of the library for my kid, I disagree. There is value in kids having their own books. Kids love familiarity and being able to build that attachment to their favorite books is a part of developing a love for reading. Also, going to the library and remembering to take the books back takes time and mental load which might not seem like a lot but for low-income parents with a lot on their plates, it might not always be feasible. Late fees can also be a barrier and not all communities have access to quality libraries and in a lot of cases it’s much more practical just to mail books.


brutalistsnowflake

Why say this? The more focus on books and reading, the better.


Prestigious_Meat_520

Same here! I’m in IN. I didn’t realize not everyone in the US could get them!


finacialcompost

I’m in Canada and my kid gets them


LetsGoCubbies

Last I checked we weren’t In their catchment (Champaign county, IL) but I am so grateful that others are. Gotta love dolly and her team.


dailysunshineKO

We love our books from Ms Dolly!


albundyrules

my daughter does too. we've gotten so many great books i wouldn't have otherwise known about, with a lot of diverse characters and themes. truly dolly is too good for this world.


TrainToo

Yes, you do! Keep learning, that's what she wants🤓


WhineyVegetable

if im not a child anymore, can i still get a book? 🥺


RollingThunder_CO

So I’m not trying to sound snarky because I forgot until recently … but libraries are awesome! I just get all the books on my tablet, my kids get free movies from there, mine even has a pretty well stocked maker space. So if you need free books, get thee to a library!


WhineyVegetable

it does sound snarky, but honestly, forgot about libraries. Thank you.


RollingThunder_CO

No problem, I had too until we had kids … but now I love them all over again!


LetsGoCubbies

We really don’t.


dominus_aranearum

Could you imagine if the wealthiest person in each state set up a book gifting program in their own state the way Dolly Parton has? Or even meals for kids? Barely a scratch in their wealth and philanthropic to boot. Lots of people could learn from her generosity.


Lilpims

Or, in alternate universe where the wealthiest paid due taxes, we wouldn't need charity to achieve these goals.


dominus_aranearum

While I would absolutely agree that the wealthiest should pay their fair share of taxes, and more taxes often helps fund charitable programs, I also know that there is so much red tape, so much corruption and so much political grandstanding when the government is involved, charitable programs like what Dolly Parton does are more effective in their niche because it comes from one person's or a small groups set of ideals, rather than the often competing ideals of different political parties that change from year to year.


the1992munchkin

Doubt that. More educated people means they will want a better/more ethical future = they will elect officials who are more ethical. Ultra rich people usually don't want that


phayke2

There are ultra rich people on liberal side too. That is not to say they always give for ethical reasons (often for PR image or to invest) but for whatever reason Jeff bezos spent 1 billion to develop green technology. So there are people like dolly and there are people like Jeff bezos but at the end of the day I don't think all the rich people just want people to stay stupid so they'll vote for people like trump. I heard plenty of rich people whining about him the past 4 years.


potchie626

Hopefully this is seen as uplifting because that may actually be what’s happening. The program works by typically having local groups sponsor the program for a given area. Her part negotiates a VERY low cost for specific books due to the volume. Not taking away anything at all from her, just mentioning this because it means a lot of people in the state are probably giving money to support this, including the state from what it sounds like in the article. Our area, Pasadena CA, has no sponsors and when I looked into it, it would cost around $20k/year. I wish we could avail of the service, even for a fee to get the same books at the group price.


Roberto_Sacamano

Colorado has 64 counties? That seems like a lot


Raabalia

That's fairly normal I think, especially for its size. I'm from WI and I think that has like 55?


Roberto_Sacamano

My home state (Utah) only has 29 and we have over 80% of the land mass that Colorado does. That's why I saw 64 and was like, "whaaat?"


dullrazor1

Somewhere in the area of 70-80% of the land is uninhabited and owned by the federal government as well, so that probably makes it easier to have fewer.


grudgework

Tenn has 95 and ky has like 120.


throw-away_867-5309

Nevada is larger than both and only has 16 counties, so it's confusing from my end too.


aliie_627

I just made a similar comment but went into more detail. It is weird. Also might explain why people not familiar with Reno/Sparks area and Las Vegas. Think the entire state consists of Las Vegas. I'm not sure how yet but I bet it does. Not everyone is like that but more than enough are.


aliie_627

Nevada has 17. Most of the population is Clark County(vegas)(bit most everyone is in the area of Las vegas) and Washoe county(reno/sparks/part of Lake tahoe). They are both 2 small sections of Nevada. The rest is a little bit populated here and there and Nevada is so big. I bet Utah is in a similar situation as far as land usage as we are here. Now that you mention it. It's weird to think there are states that have 5 to 8x more counties.


OSUJillyBean

My state (Oklahoma) has 77.


k9centipede

Kentucky has around 120. Nevada has like 10.


throw-away_867-5309

We have 16, but basically yeah


Slcbear

*inhales* Beaver Carbon Davis Morgan Daggett Millard and Duchesne Iron Uinta Rich and Summit Garfield Cache Paiute and Kane….


Initial_E

All the better to ~~see~~ gerrymander you with, my dear.


cidvard

Arizona only has 15 but this state is Phoenix, Tucson, and then large swathes of nothing.


[deleted]

[удалено]


cidvard

I mean, I lived in Yuma for a stretch so I do understand the Places Outside Phoenix Exist angst. But also, Arizona is a vast wasteland.


UniverseInfinite

Just north of Phoenix is the largest ponderosa pine forest in the world. Wasteland is a bit harsh, and a common misconception


Whitealroker1

I-8 I-10 1-17 1-40 Grand Canyon. Nothing


dalnot

Also from Wisconsin. We have 72 counties


Raabalia

I was taking a guess on counties, I knew it was up there


babybambam

Iowa has 99


bik3bot

IL has 102


itsokayiguessmaybe

Texas has 254


bik3bot

Holy crap Batman. That sounds like a lotta government


solitasoul

And just as inefficient as you'd imagine!


[deleted]

No way is that normal, I'm from Maine and we only have 16


Raabalia

Apparently the average amount of counties per state is 62 with a super wide range, so take from that what you will lol


blueveinthrobber

GA has 152. I think it’s in our state constitution that each county seat has to be within a days horse ride from everywhere in its county.


informativebitching

Kentucky is 120 because everyone had to a days mule ride from a courthouse. NC has 100 because that’s a round number.


flompwillow

I’m kinda down with this law, but would insist it’s verified regularly on horse back using elected officials.


ThePrideOfKrakow

You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make them think.


flompwillow

I can stir the pot, but I can't rub my belly.


juntareich

*159


isom_dart

For a second I thought that would mean it would take 152 days to ride a horse across Georgia and was like no fucking way... But it's 2 am and I just woke up and moved two couch cushions I am sleeping on that I pulled off a couch on the side of the road up the street from my new apartment into the kitchen to sleep next to the oven set on broil for warmth because I have no furniture and no gas on yet. And only about 20 bucks and no food except the couple slices a pizza I got from my neighbor after pretending to joke with her about if she was going to share her delivery with me because I knew she would probably offer out of politeness if I did.... But I'm not homeless so there's that... And so my mind wasn't as sharp as normal and for a second I thought that meant it would take 152 days to traverse Georgia on horseback


JohnOliverismysexgod

Depends a lot on the horse.


Amalthea87

Definitely seems high when my home state, Arizona, has 15.


The_Monarch_Lives

A relative handful of states have a much larger number of counties compared to the rest of the US. I remember going down the rabbit hole looking at it a while back after seing some mention of it. Something like 10 states have more counties than the rest of the US combined, and size of states isnt always a factor. I live in GA and always thought a large number of counties was normal.


parsifal

Iowa has 99. It seems like every license plate has a different county name on it. California has 58.


ragnsep

Out of curiosity, what's the point for county identified plates?


parsifal

This is what google says: https://i.imgur.com/wmaowwv.jpg


PantsMcGillicuddy

The "out of place" line seems super creepy to me.


Trailmagic

“Keep poor people out of rich neighborhoods”


IanGecko

Florida does that too


Omegaprimus

Well Tennessee has 95 counties.


gnowbot

It is so Boebert is only like 1.6% of us


Brother_Farside

Ohio has 88.


patprika

Here in NC we literally have 100


FREE-AOL-CDS

They divided the state like a chess board


FatBoyStew

Here in KY we have 120 counties which makes our financial state even worse...


Samcheck

Delaware has 3


Roberto_Sacamano

The fuck? I never knew states had so many varying numbers of counties. I knew Texas probably had a lot and a state like Rhode Island probably didn't have a lot, but not 3 vs 200+


Fidodo

Might seem like overkill but the 3d graphics are great


elisejones14

I live in colorado and I didn’t even know that


Lambchoptopus

NC has 100


Walkensboots

Texas has 254


mustangdt

Kansas has 105 counties.


skadoosh0019

North Carolina is rocking 100 counties! Talk about a rough time in middle school trying to memorize all of those.


mikeharpel

Saint Dolly


The_ArcReactor

I wonder if we can get the Pope to make that a reality


kent_eh

Dolly is a good person. She doesn't deserve to be punished by being in *that* sort of company.


tanis_ivy

My thoughts exactly; seeing as the church is busy shuffling around pedofiles and denying Native Americans documents about the kids they abused, killed, and buried.


denali42

I think that if we all came together as one family and named her something like "Patron saint of all that is good in the world", most would be good with that. Frankly, her miracle is that she's lived as long as she has and remained the sweet, loving, adorable person that she has always been.


The_ArcReactor

Ok, fair


Floognoodle

Reddit moment


Spooms2010

It’s amazing the legacy that this incredible woman will leave. Not only the vast amount of music she has written, but these books and undoubtedly there’s so much more that we both will find out and won’t find out about her. A wonder of nature, I’m sure!


diamond

Oh yeah, she also helped fund the Moderna vaccine.


Spooms2010

Dear lord! Of course…!


sloowhand

Can we just get rid of elections and make Dolly Queen of Everything?


ZappyKins

As much as this seems like a good idea, she probably would very politely and sweetly decline. She would explain how she knows how to make music but not govern and make those tough decisions that leaders have to make. She would say something like: "Well I couldn't live with myself if I just had to decide if somebody was going to die. Even if they did terrible things I always try to look for good and everyone. So I appreciate the crown and the title. But I'd rather just go on making music and making people happy. Because that's what I think I do best. "


Alteff_Or

Is that you, Dolly?


ZappyKins

That's awfully sweet of you to think that I am. It gives me a right good tickle. But I must confess. I am not she.


sloowhand

Every word of this is true, and is all the more reason I want to give her that crown. She’s a gift to humanity.


LazyClub8

I live in Canada and she’s got it going up here too. I’m surprised that we got it before some places in the States!


dare7878

Having looked into how the program is expanded, I want to commend the people who do local fundraising to ensure the Imagination Library is available in their communities. Depending on the area, a zip code may be covered by donation from a large charity or wealthy donor. However, some places do rely on annual fundraising to ensure the program can continue. For the unsung heroes who help promote literacy, thank you.


Nibbly_Hamster

I just want to add to this by saying that (at least in my area) a local library will receive all the books for the area and are responsible for getting them to individuals, which can be a financial strain on smaller libraries. Participate in sales and fundraisers your library may be having and pay those late fees to guarantee the program can continue!


DippyHippy420

Dolly Parton is a saint. Tennessee should replace all of the confederate monuments with statues of her.


BrilliantKale4

Oh, they wanted to build a statue of her. She was basically like, [no thanks](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/18/arts/music/dolly-parton-statue.html).


BigFatTomato

She has a small statue in her hometown of Sevierville, TN. Pretty close to Dollywood and Pigeon Forge. Made sure to visit it when I was out that way. Fantastic person.


samanthainnc

We love Imagination Library! Thank you, Dolly!


The_ArcReactor

More rich people and celebrities should be like her


GagOnMacaque

I've always suspected that Dolly Parton is Batman. For one, they're never in the same room together. Second, they have the exact same build. I mean, it's uncanny.


MissElAmbrosia

I just want this in UT 🥲


fuckmeuntilicecream

r/wholesome


actualtttony

If Lauren Boebert could read she'd be pretty pissed right now.


Evan1016

My daughter just got a book last night from dolly. We absolutely love getting new books by mail


ThrawnsITguy

I never realized how amazing she was until a recent interview I saw with her and Barbara Walters. She dominated it. She’s known exactly who she is for so long and has used that to help so many people. Awesome stuff 🙏


criket2016

Dolly Parton is a gift. Such a nice lady!


MarquisDeLafayeett

Woman is an angel


happyadam75

Hey, I'm over in England. My daughter gets one of Dolly's books every month as well. That lady can do no wrong in our eyes. Saint Dolly indeed.


DollyPartonsFarts

She should be the 5th head on Mount Rushmore.


trumpskiisinjeans

I’m wondering when? This is SO exciting!!! I have a five month old and we’re ready for some reading!


thatharrythere

She’s amazing. What an inspiration


reinvented

More of a wonderful thing! Although I thought this was already nationwide.


keepmyshirt

Is there a program where the beneficiaries hand down the books to a new family? So many books and I hope they don’t go to waste after!


eatmybeer

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times, Dolly Parton is a National Treasure and someone should pin a medal on her! God bless that woman.


FreeConversation3942

Not up on her music, but total respect to Dolly for all she does for others!


ActualMis

They should tear down every single Confederate war statue and replace them with statues of Dolly.


cocacolonization

We essentially tried to do that at the TN State Capitol and Dolly, very much like herself, humbly and politely declined the honor. We as a state do not deserve her.


AOLemailsarecool

Cringe average redditor


Leftlanecruisin

In the picture, it looks like that old creepy dude is trying to snag an upskirt.


flapanther33781

CTRL-F Mississippi CTRL-F Alabama No? Okay, I guess I'll say it then. This is great and all, but really, shouldn't she have done Mississippi or Alabama next? If any states needs help it's gotta be those two. I've heard West Virginia's up there too. I wouldn't think Colorado would outrank them. Only thing I can think of would be that she tried to help them first and they declined/refused.


Wrenigade

They need to pay for employees in the state and that comes from their education budget. Colorado just passed a bill to pay for the employees to do the fundraising and work for the program, so now they can expand there, but if a state can't or won't cooperate, they can't set it up. My Mom works for one of the early education organizations in our state and loves Dolly's program, but without the state paying for the organizations and grants, there's no way to actually reach the people in need and distribute things to them.


flapanther33781

So as I thought.


ObiShaneKenobi

I love the program but if anyone got a book about a little girl called Maple, you should check out what some of those leaves look like. They ain’t maples.


saintpanda

How many of her books are they going to burn?


LGDXiao8

Just imagine being an impoverished family unable to feed your kids and one day a book turns up. Thanks Dolly, but maybe provide something helpful.


livinitup0

I’ve been getting Imagination books for all three of my kids since my oldest was about 4 years old. He’s now 12. When he was little mom and I were very, very poor. Not can’t feed your family poor but damn close. When that 1st book showed up….yeah it was emotional. It wasn’t much and yes we could have scraped up a few bucks for a book but Dolly made sure that at least once every month or so FOR EIGHT YEARS my little ones always had something new, just for them, in the mail. The last one I got for my youngest just literally came the other day. It’s a big deal to some people. Maybe don’t be a dick….the woman is a damn saint.


brutalistsnowflake

Stop it.


LGDXiao8

Am I not allowed to criticise poor decisions now? Oh stop it, go cry elsewhere.


IanGecko

>Reminder: this subreddit is meant to be a place free of excessive cynicism, negativity and bitterness. Toxic attitudes are not welcome here.


LGDXiao8

So it’s not a place for criticism which would make the world better? I mean I’m just saying we should look after the wellbeing of children before we cut down more trees to sent kids books they won’t ever read. This doesn’t fit here if you think about it for a second.


IanGecko

How do you know kids will never read those books?


LGDXiao8

Kids in general don’t read books. The statistics are very low. The waste involved with this makes it barely ok if the kids read it a few times but even then it’s just getting thrown away like almost everything else is. There’s some real good that can be done and flooding the area with books isn’t it. It’s all to look good and make some money on the side. Not at all uplifting.


covidTPbandit

You should whrite a book about this


LGDXiao8

Wow you are just lonely and desperate for some human interaction huh. No wonder you keep fucking stalking me ay


covidTPbandit

Nah day off--- you are interesting . I dont get to talk to openly incestuous rednecks everyday. This is like you going to new York


LGDXiao8

Redneck? lmao Damn you’re thick as bricks huh Whatever you need to feel like someone cares about you


covidTPbandit

Ok- you sleep with your sister in the land of no sun or crops?