Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income. The Imagination Library program is built on decades of reading research consistently demonstrating that having books at home helps children develop literacy skills. Children from low-income homes across West Virginia deserve access to high-quality, developmentally appropriate books.
The West Virginia Department of Education and Marshall University’s June Harless Center, in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, is fostering a love of books among West Virginia’s children. Books are delivered to the home on a monthly basis at no cost to families.
The June Harless Center acts as a fundraising arm for the Imagination Library program to help in meeting the long-term goal which is to ensure that every child in West Virginia has access to age-appropriate books prior to entering school.
Marshall University’s June Harless Center seeks sponsors and participants for the 3rd Annual Dolly Dash 5K Race for Reading taking place Saturday, August 9th at Ritter Park in Huntington.
Proceeds from this annual event will continue putting books in the homes of West Virginia’s youngest learners, giving families an opportunity to build a home library that will have long-lasting literacy, social, and economic outcomes.
As a result of the DPIL program, schools receive a better-prepared kindergartener and studies have proven by 3rd grade, child graduates outperform their non-DPIL peers in academic testing by 29%. Statistics also reflect higher graduation rates, positively impacting economic and workforce development and even substance use prevention.
- Register to support the cause and receive this year’s commemorative T-shirt – walking or running in the race is not required!
- Register and learn more about the event at https://tristateracer.com/dollydash2025
- Secure your sponsorship here Dolly Dash 2025 Sponsorship by July 21st!