Imagination Library celebrated its biennial Homecomin’ event in Pigeon Forge, TN
Dolly’s Imagination Library is currently celebrating its 20th year. Each month the organization sends over 800,000 free, age-appropriate books to children around the world. By June 2015, the total number of books mailed by the program reached over 70 million - an exciting announcement for those in attendance at this year’s Homecomin' event.
Homecomin' is a special gathering of the program's affiliates and partners from all four countries in which the program is offered. The event celebrates past accomplishments and allows the organization's leaders to share future goals and opportunities.
This year's Homecomin' was filled with guest speakers, informative sessions, and plenty of fun as well. On Tuesday, June 23, First Lady Crissy Haslam (TN) and First Lady Betsy Dalrymple (ND) showed their continued support at the welcome dinner. Imagination Library President, David Dotson greeted everyone in attendance. He said,
“We dream of the day when all children have the opportunity to love reading, to love books and to love learning. Each day, we take another step toward that dream because of the wonderful people who are gathered tonight in this room. We have indeed accomplished quite a bit but we have so much more to do.”
Wednesday was filled with informative sessions followed by an exciting event at Dolly's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction that evening. On Thursday, Dolly greeted everyone in a special message sent from Los Angeles, CA, where she is currently working on casting her new NBC television movie, "Coat of Many Colors" set for release in December.
Afterward, affiliates from United Way of Aroostook in Presque Isle, ME, entertained everyone with an encore performance of "All About Them Books." Their enthusiasm for the Imagination Library in their community inspired everyone.
Author and illustrator Lori Nichols made a special presentation and signed copies of her book, "Maple." Additionally, on Friday, the entire group visited Dollywood. To everyone's delight, "Betty Bunny" by Michael Kaplan and illustrated by Stephane Jorisch came to life on the Little Engine Playhouse stage.
Plans for the growth of the program were shared with affiliates in attendance as well as a new campaign to raise awareness about Imagination Library. The new campaign was launched with the first of many stories about how Dolly’s Imagination Library has changed lives. Read more on the Imagination Library Blog.
After a wonderful week in Pigeon Forge, TN, everyone is looking forward to the new awareness campaign and the next Homecomin' set for 2017.
