Clay County Early Literacy wants neighbors to help keep free books arriving in local mailboxes by donating on Friday, Sept. 25, the inaugural Give Like Dolly Day.

The nonprofit's Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program mails a free book every month to 1,500 children, birth to age 5, across Clay County ZIP codes including Orange Park's 32073. Donations cover mailing and delivery costs, and the organization says 100% of funds given through its donation page at tinyurl.com/claycountybooks go directly to getting books to children, according to Clay Today.

The Dollywood Foundation, which oversees the Imagination Library nationally, announced Give Like Dolly Day on Sept. 14 as a global fundraising day for local library partners. Dolly Parton founded the program in 1995 in honor of her father, who could not read or write. It has since delivered more than 300 million books across five countries.

Mary Bolla, a former teacher and vice president of Clay County Early Literacy, said donations help ensure children receive a new book every month, "building a home library before they ever walk through the kindergarten door."

Enrollment has surged since Dolly Parton's death. Pat Litterick, secretary-treasurer of Clay County Early Literacy, told Action News Jax on Aug. 26 that the program had 980 registered children and saw 40 new sign-ups in a single day. Enrollment has since climbed to 1,500.

Each book costs $2.60 per month plus mailing, and those shipping costs have risen over the years, Litterick said in August. Since 2022, the program has delivered more than 50,000 free books to Clay County children. Families can also opt to receive a bilingual English-Spanish book every month.

Every enrolled child's first book is The Little Engine That Could. The last, sent when a child turns 5, is Lookout, Kindergarten, Here I Come. A child enrolled at birth can receive up to 60 books before kindergarten.

Residents can donate at tinyurl.com/claycountybooks, share the campaign on social media using #GiveLikeDolly, or sponsor a child. For more information, contact Patricia Litterick at (904) 945-1982.

Upcoming community events

• Friday, Sept. 25: Give Like Dolly Day. Donate at tinyurl.com/claycountybooks.
• Saturday, Sept. 26: Orange Park Mall hosts a free Fashion Week runway show.