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Dolly Parton’s legacy is still arriving in mailboxes across Moose Jaw, one children’s book at a time.
The program has taken on added significance following the death of the 80-year-old country music icon and philanthropist on Aug. 25.
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Wanda Peakman, co-ordinator of the Moose Jaw Early Years Family Resource Centre, said local volunteers are committed to carrying on Parton’s vision.
“It’s gotten a little bit more of a spark because of the recent passing of Dolly,” Peakman said. “However, her legacy is going to carry on.”
She said the organization has been reassured by the Dollywood Foundation that the program will continue.
Books arriving in local mailboxes
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library mails age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five.
Peakman said the program began operating in Moose Jaw and surrounding communities in 2023 and now reaches 306 children each month.
“Every month, 306 children in Moose Jaw and surrounding areas find a book in their mailbox because of the community that funds it and the volunteers who run it,” she said.
The service is offered at no cost to participating families and is funded by local donations and community support.
Peakman said recent Canadian research highlights the positive impact the program is having on family reading habits.
According to the study, caregivers enrolled in the program were six times more likely to count images in books, eight times more likely to describe images and five times more likely to let children hold books compared with caregivers whose families are not enrolled.
The research also found children participating in the program were 13 times more likely to read four or more days per week.
“So, there’s not only that connection with the parents, but the benefits of reading early to set them up for a successful school year and school life,” Peakman said, adding that businesses and organizations interested in supporting the initiative can donate directly to the local program so funds stay in the region.
Growing interest after Parton’s death
Peakman said public awareness of the program has surged in recent days as people learn more about Parton’s charitable work.
She said the local office has received more calls, emails and social media messages from residents wanting to register children or make donations.
Interest has been so strong that the program’s online book-ordering and registration system recently crashed under the volume of traffic.
“It was pretty quiet up until just recently,” Peakman said. “People are asking ‘How do I register?’ ‘How do I donate?’”
While organizers expect demand to keep rising, Peakman said the increased attention reflects the lasting influence of a woman whose commitment to literacy changed the lives of millions of children, including hundreds in Moose Jaw and surrounding communities.
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