Dolly Parton’s Legacy Included Bringing Books To Children In North Escambia

August 26, 2026

Country music icon Dolly Parton passed away on Tuesday at age 80, leaving behind not only a legendary music catalog that spanned decades, but also a legacy of philanthropy that touched millions, including children in the North Escambia area through her Dolly Parton Imagination Library program.

The program provides free books monthly to children ages 0-5 in 36 counties’ as her genertoisy spread far beyond the spotlight.

During the summer of 2008, the first books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library arrived in the mailboxes of about 300 children in Escambia County, with about half of those in the Century area in cooperation with local partner the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County, which administered the program locally.

In Century, a local celebration was held at the Camp Fire Century Youth Learning Center; the program’s outreach to Century was funded by the Teaspoon Foundation and Century Pharmacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Pictured above: Four-year-old Jared Bevan enjoys reading one of the books from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at Campfire USA in Century on June 28, 2008. Pictured below: Some of the books from the program. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FRONT TOP 

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