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SALEM -- The Brightside Project is challenging Columbiana County to carry on the philanthropic legacy of Dolly Parton as part of a new annual tradition.
In the wake of the iconic musician and philanthropist's recent passing, the Dollywood Foundation is establishing a new tradition of giving every Sept. 25 on "Give Like Dolly Day" to honor Parton's legacy by supporting organizations that benefit local children in need.
According to a press release, as the partner agency for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for Columbiana County, The Brightside Project has "set a fitting goal" for the first "Give Like Dolly Day" of 925 gifts of $9.25. The challenge would raise $8,556.25 for the Columbiana County Imagination Library if met by the community, "helping continue Dolly's dream of putting books directly into the hands and homes of local children."
According to the release, organizers hope that "the simplicity of the challenge will demonstrate one of the most powerful lessons behind Dolly's legacy - a gift does not have to be large to make a difference when a community gives together."
"Dolly showed the world that when you invest in children, you invest in their dreams and their future. We can think of no better way to honor her than for our community to come together, $9.25 at a time, and make sure her legacy continues through the thousands of little readers right here in Columbiana County," said The Brightside Project Co-Founder and Co-Director Lisa Vittorio.
The festivities will begin a day early in Columbiana County at The Brightside Project's Brightside Benefit Bingo on Thursday where attendees will have the option to make a gift of $9.25 to "help give the campaign a head start before the official worldwide celebration begins the following morning." Throughout the day Friday The Brightside Project will share updates on the campaign on social media "as the community works toward the goal of 925 individual gifts."
Donations can be made at the Brightside Project's website at www.brightsideprojectohio.org/imaginationlibrary.
According to the release, in addition to making a direct donation of $9.25 to the Columbiana County Imagination Library, supporters are encouraged to share the campaign on social media and encourage friends and family to participate, follow The Brightside Project throughout the day to watch the community's progress toward 925 gifts, and use #GiveLikeDolly to join the worldwide celebration.
"Imagine watching 925 people from across Columbiana County each say, 'I want to be part of this.' That's what we want Give Like Dolly Day to be about. It's not simply a fundraiser. It's our community coming together to say that Dolly's dream matters, our children matter, and we're going to help keep those books coming," Vittorio said.
There are currently 3,058 children aged 5 and under in Columbiana County enrolled in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library that receive a free age-appropriate book mailed directly to their home every month. As the local Imagination Library partner for Columbiana County, the Brightside Project works throughout the year to raise the funds needed to sustain the program, which is made possible entirely by local financial support.