Dolly Parton Raises Over $500,000 For The Imagination Library

Dolly Parton returned home to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee this month, to help raise money for her Imagination Library. And although the performances were billed "Dolly: Pure & Simple," in simple Dolly fashion she shined brighter than the stars in the sky. The four sold-out shows, which took place at Dollywood's D.P. Celebrity Theatre, raised over $500,000.
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"Thank you from all the kids and me! We give books to children all over the world now, and the Imagination Library started right here in Sevier County, right up here in these hills. So thank you all for coming. I truly believe that you can never get enough books into the hands of enough children," said Parton to the crowd.
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It was the first time that Parton has performed at Dollywood in a decade, and she did it all for the cause that she champions: youth literacy via The Imagination Library. Currently in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, the Imagination Library has mailed more than 71 million free books to needy children.

Parton said she stared The Imagination Library project to help kids like herself, who didn't like school and didn't have money to buy books at home. The concert raised half the million dollar fundraising goal of the Showcase of Stars concert series the Parton brought back to Dollywood this season. Kenny Rogers will perform on September 27.
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From "Blue Smoke" to "Backwoods Barbie," "9 to 5" and "Coat Of Many Colors," Dolly captivated the audience show after show performing her latest and greatest hits. During her performances, Dolly also shared her excitement for her new resort.

"I am so proud of all the things we are doing here," she said. "Of course, it's our 30th Anniversary, and we've been longing for our own hotel ever since we started Dollywood. Yesterday, I had a chance to go over to the resort and do some videos and things in my suite, and I got to see the resort up and breathin' with real people in it. We are just so proud of it!"