Contact: Xanthi Soriano, Executive Director, Communications
Cell: (916) 261-6219 • Email: xsoriano@scoe.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 25, 2025
WHEN: Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (10–11 a.m.)
Press conference: 10–10:30 a.m.
Interview opportunities: 10:30–11 a.m.
WHERE: Sacramento Central Public Library, Kids Place
828 I Street, Sacramento
Parking: Street Parking or Park Tower Garage (980 9th Street)
WHAT: United Way California Capital Region, Sacramento County Office of Education, and the Dollywood Foundation will jointly announce the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Sacramento County, through which children from birth to age 5 can receive one free book in the mail each month, regardless of family income. At the event, the local United Way, which also manages Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Yolo County, will present the local program’s 100,000th book to a participating family.
The program aims to enroll 65,000 children in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across Sacramento County—65% of the population eligible—within five years. The program has received funding from the local United Way, Sacramento County Office of Education, City of Rancho Cordova, City of Sacramento, Kellogg Family Foundation, Rotary Club of Elk Grove, and Laguna Sunrise Rotary Club, and is seeking additional funders.
SPEAKERS:
- Dr. Dawnte Early, President and CEO, United Way California Capital Region
- David W. Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools, Sacramento County Office of Education
- Mariana Corona Sabeniano, President, Sacramento County Board of Education
- Phil Pluckebaum, Councilmember, City of Sacramento
- Linda Budge, Councilmember, City of Rancho Cordova
- Maggie Krell, Assemblymember, State of California, District 6
- Participating Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Family
ADDITIONAL VISUALS/AUDIO:
- Local family receiving the program’s 100,000th book
- Interview opportunities with speakers and family receiving book
CALL TO ACTION: Sign up to receive free books for kids through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.YourLocalUnitedWay.org.
About United Way California Capital Region
United Way California Capital Region has been a driving force across the region for more than 100 years, listening, responding and taking comprehensive action to meet local needs. From advancing youth opportunities and helping kids excel in school, to strengthening local communities and investing in families’ financial security and health, United Way mobilizes communities to build a future where everyone can reach their full potential and thrive. Working across Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo counties, the local United Way provides books and literacy tutoring, addresses housing and food security, leads the region’s largest tax preparation initiative, works with foster youth across school districts, launched the region’s first guaranteed income program and leads the Community Schools initiative in West Sacramento. To make a donation: www.YourLocalUnitedWay.org.
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library began in Sevier County, Tennessee, where Parton grew up, and has since expanded internationally. In California, the Imagination Library is also supported by a 50% state match, administered through the California State Library. Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has gifted more than 280 million free books in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and local community partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age 5 at no cost to families. Parton envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to dream more, learn more, care more, and be more. The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information: https://imaginationlibrary.com.