DOLLY PARTON LAUNCHES 2011 BETTER DAY WORLD TOUR WITH KNOXVILLE CONCERT TO BENEFIT HER DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Entertainment legend Dolly Parton will launch her 2011 Better Day World Tour on July 17 in Knoxville, Tenn., with concert proceeds benefiting her not-for-profit Dollywood Foundation.

“ It’s been a long time since I played Knoxville, so I am thrilled to launch my Better Day tour right here on the banks of the Tennessee River,” Parton said.  “Since this tour is all about hope and looking forward to better days, I thought it would only be right to donate the proceeds of this concert to my Imagination Library.  It will be a special night and I am really looking forward to it.”

Tickets go on sale April 1 at knoxvilletickets.com or via phone at (865) 656-4444 or (877) 995-9961.  The concert will take place at the University of Tennessee’s Thompson-Boling Arena at 8 p.m.  Ticket prices are $59.50, $49.50 and $39.50.

Parton’s Dollywood Foundation administers the entertainer’s Imagination Library program.  Proceeds from the concert will provide necessary funds to cover the program’s overhead expenses.  As a result, participating communities must only pay for postage and purchase the books they provide to children enrolled in their programs. 

The Imagination Library was launched in 1996 for preschool-age children in Parton’s native Sevier County, Tenn.  To promote the importance of reading to children in the first five years of life, each child residing in Sevier County received one book each month from birth until the age of five.  The 60-volume collection is selected by a committee comprised of individuals from education, child development, academia and early childhood literacy.

The Imagination Library has expanded and now serves 1,200 communities in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.  To date, the Imagination Library has distributed 33 million books.  Recently, through its work with the Scottish Government and Scottish Book Trust, the Dollywood Foundation recently announced that the Imagination Library will now deliver books to 3,341 foster care children in Scotland.

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For more information, please contact David Dotson, President of the Dollywood Foundation at (865) 428-9604. 

Global group will appear at Dolly Parton's Imagination Library event in Pigeon Forge this June

There's no place like Homecomin'
Presenters at Homecomin' 2011 are at the forefront of advancements in the campaign for early childhood literacy. This summer’s Hollywood themed conference combines informative sessions with a variety of hot-topic panel discussions. Click here for the list of speakers and full itinerary.  

Register online at www.dpilevents.com. 
Hotel reservations are available by phone. Family members welcome! Be sure to mention "Dollywood Foundation" for a discount when calling MainStay Suites at (865) 428-8350.

"It's been 2 years since the last international Affiliate 'staff meeting' and I'm pleased to announce another incredible line-up of presenters, entertainers and authors. This event is also family-friendly, with educational workshops and hands-on activities in our schedule for kids.”

 Kate Phillips
Affiliate Relations Manager
The Dollywood Foundation 

 
                                                            "This time will be devoted to learning and sharing --topics will include forming partnerships with health care and United Way, establishing the Imagination Library in rural areas, research about the impact of the program, operating discussions about database and NCOA (for the USA), raising funds, early childhood development and much more. We believe this will be our largest gathering ever –so please plan on joining us in the beautiful Smoky Mountains!"

David Dotson
President
The Dollywood Foundation 

Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More

Memphis Daily News story by Aisling Maki

Before an audience of fresh-faced young children, nonprofit leaders and elected officials at the Urban Child Institute in Memphis Tuesday, United Healthcare Community Plan CEO Scott Bowers presented the Governor’s Book from Birth Foundation with an oversized check symbolizing his company’s $250,000 pledge to support early childhood reading.

Read Full Story>>>>

By Aisling Maki

Brantford/Brant County, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise approached Kids Can Fly and asked to partner in this wonderful project.

Brantford/Brant County, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Brantford-Sunrise approached Kids Can Fly and asked to partner in this wonderful project.  They provide annual funding and we manage the promotion, data base and general facilitation of the program.

Kids Can Fly is a registered charity that supports early learning and parenting located within the County of Brant, Ontario that raises funds with a mission to help all children maximize their potential. They follow the research that  getting a strong start in the formative years 0-5 will set the foundation for success in learning  health and well being for children.  Much of their work has a strong focus on literacy so Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a perfect fit for Kids Can Fly!  www.kidscanfly.ca

Currently they have 418 children registered.

- Photo provided by a pleased mother as a thank you.  She said her daughter is so excited each month to receive her new book and the photo was taken minutes after the book arrival when the little girl grabbed her firefighter hat to read the story about a firefighter to the rescue!  A lovely demonstration of how meaningful this program is!”

Information provided by: Sharon Brooks Executive Director, Kids Can Fly 519 448 1713