Another incredible venture that Dolly is responsible for is The Dollywood Foundation. This organization helps states with poor economic situations by bringing jobs and new taxes to them. The added work and government revenue help stimulate more jobs and growth, leading to a cycle of improvement. Parton also raises money for various other charities and organizations.
One example of the singer’s kindness is a donation she gave of half a million dollars to a hospital in Sevierville. Parton is also big on inspiring the younger generation to dream and go after their goals. She gave a commencement address in 2009 at the University of Tennessee where she inspired the audience to dream big and go for it.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination
There’s nothing more precious to an artist than their imagination and creativity — it's arguably their most important asset and source of success. Dolly Parton realized this early on, which prompted her to run a program called Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The organization sends a book every month to children enrolled in its program up until they reach kindergarten age.
Almost a million children throughout Australia, the UK, Canada, and the United States are part of the program and get the monthly book sent to them. This means that the Imagination Library sends almost twelve million books annually which is quite an incredible number. Books help stimulate a child’s imagination and help develop them into amazing talented adults.
Her Father Inspires Her
Dolly Parton’s inspiration for starting The Imagination Library program came from quite an unlikely source. In a 2015 interview with Paper Magazine, Dolly said that it all really started with her daddy. He was, without a doubt, the smartest man she has ever known, but he could not read very well. She added that her Daddy did an incredible job of providing a good life for her family but there is no telling what he could have achieved if he had learned to read.
She went on to and added that The Imagination Library is just one way for her to honor him. Not long before he passed, he told her he was more proud of her for the Imagination Library than anything else she had ever done.
Her Live and Let Live Attitude
While Dolly is extremely generous and uses her vast fortune to help people all around the world, she never tries to shame other celebrities into being like her. The singer believes in a “live and let live” attitude, and prefers to let everyone make their own choices.
One thing she never does is tell people what they should be doing. All she can do is speak for herself, and she has always felt she has an obligation to give back. For her, it means a lot of different things.
Annual LGBTQ+ Day
As we’ve mentioned, Dolly Parton is quite a hero among the LGBTQ+ community. She’s been admired for helping others express themselves and be who they feel they are. Parton hosts an annual “Gay Day” at her renowned Dollywood theme park. This is quite a popular attraction for the gay community and Dolly says that everyone is invited to attend and join the fun.
She says that it’s a place for entertainment, a place for all families. She added that if people want to pass judgment let them pass. They are committing the biggest sin of judgment. That’s quite an interesting take on religion!