United Way Launched Dolly Parton Campaign in Shreveport
The local organization kicked off a new initiative with a film screening at the Robinson Film Center.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Philanthropy
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United Way of Northwest Louisiana hosted a screening of the film 9 to 5 to celebrate Dolly Day. The event officially launched the organization's Year of Dolly campaign, which honors the singer's legacy of literacy and philanthropy.
Why it matters
The campaign highlights the ongoing impact of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a program that has become a cornerstone for early childhood literacy in the region.
Currently, more than 7,000 children in Northwest Louisiana are enrolled in the Imagination Library. The partnership with the Dollywood Foundation has resulted in the mailing of 560,000 books to date.
The players
United Way of Northwest Louisiana
This local nonprofit organization works to improve education, financial stability, and health outcomes for residents in the region.
Dolly Parton
The globally recognized singer and songwriter founded the Imagination Library to provide free books to children regardless of their family's economic status.
Dollywood Foundation
This philanthropic organization manages the Imagination Library program, which partners with local entities to distribute books to children worldwide.
The details
The event featured a cocktail reception followed by a film screening at the Robinson Film Center in Shreveport. To mark the occasion and celebrate Dolly Day, the city illuminated the Bakowski Bridge of Lights in pink.
Timeline
The screening and campaign launch occurred on September 25, 2026.
Market Landscape
The launch of the Year of Dolly campaign in Shreveport follows the established pattern of community-based expansion set by the Dollywood Foundation's Imagination Library. This initiative strengthens the organization's role in the regional literacy sector by formalizing support for the program.
Families in the area can enroll their children in the Imagination Library to receive free books by mail. Residents can also look for future local programming tied to the Year of Dolly campaign as the initiative progresses.
The takeaway
Literacy initiatives often rely on strong local partnerships to effectively distribute resources to eligible families. Residents interested in supporting these efforts can check with local nonprofits to see how they can contribute to ongoing educational programs.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to support community initiatives in our Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTBS.
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