Doing Dolly's work
In Baton Rouge, a movement to give books to children in a partnership with Dolly Parton Foundation
Watch this: Dolly says Louisiana is great
Why it matters: The Dolly Diamonds are doing something both simple and lasting: putting books into the hands of very young children across the East Baton Rouge Parish, from birth to age 5.
The big idea: At the center of their work is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, built on something most of us understand: a love of reading often begins at home, in the warmth of a familiar lap, as pages turn and a favorite story is requested again.
How it works: Each child enrolled in the Imagination Library receives a free book every month. A child signed up at birth will have a personal library of 60 books by age 5—small doorways into curiosity, wonder and the larger world.
Locally: In the Capital Area, the Dolly Diamonds raise money that makes those books possible. Sourced affordably through The Dollywood Foundation, they are mailed each month straight to children’s doorsteps.
This is serious, but not solemn work. Volunteers sometimes show up at fundraisers in wigs worthy of Dolly herself.
The ask: Become a Dolly Diamond, Sugar, and help them reach their 2026 goal of $15,000 at this link.
