This program provides preschoolers with 1 book a month from birth until age 5 at no cost to his or her family. The program is funded by businesses, corporate sponsors, service groups and individual donations to United Way of Southwest Louisiana.
Dolly launched the Imagination Library to honor her father who was smart and hardworking, but never learned to read or write. The program is meant to give children from all walks of life, both in the United States and around the world a chance that Dolly's father never had.
Use the form below or text READSWLA to 41444 to sponsor this vital Initiative.
Children who can’t read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of school compared to those who can. As adults, they’re more likely to struggle with unemployment, mental health, and life. For this reason, United Way Southwest Louisiana recently held the first DOLLY RUN in Lake Charles, Louisiana to fund the 3,480 children currently receiving books through this vital Initiative.
If you are interested in sponsoring the 2026 DOLLY RUN on April 18, 2026, contact us.
OUR STRATEGY
In partnership with the Dollywood Foundation, United Way Southwest Louisiana is working to bring Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to the children who need it most in Southwest Louisiana. Our program serves children in ALLEN, BEAUREGARD, CALCASIEU, CAMERON and JEFF DAVIS PARISHES.
We have 3,480 children enrolled in our Initiative at this time and have donated almost 300,000 books since the inception. Our goal is increase funding so we can double enrollment.
Please consider a donation of any amount to help us grow capacity.
What happens when parents cannot afford books, or cannot take time off work to go to the library or do not have transportation to get to the library?
Educators emphasize that reading with a preschool child is the single most important activity to help prepare a child for success in school. For most families, books are a common part of a preschoolers regular routine.
THE NEED
Nationally, studies have shown that as many as 61% of low-income families do not have age-appropriate books for children in their home. It is estimated that as many as 2,788 preschool-age children from low-income families in Southwest Louisiana do not have access to books simply because their families cannot afford them.
Children entering school without basic literacy skills often struggle academically throughout their education. This can put a strain on family, school and community resources throughout a child's education.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Your gift to United Way of Southwest Louisiana can help preschoolers have access to books and prepare them for school.
- $10,000 Donation
Allows us to provide 200 children with a book each month for a year - $5,000 Donation
Allows us to provide 100 children with a book each month for a year - $3,000 Donation
Allows us to provide 60 children with a book each month for a year - $1,000 Donation
Allows us to provide 20 children with a book each month for a year - $250 Donation
Allows us to provide one child with a book each month from birth to age 5
Click here if you would like to pay for a sponsorship online.
My child gets so excited when he receives his book every month. I get excited because it is helping prepare him for school.
- Parent of an Imagination Library Recipient in Southwest Louisiana