Montgomery County proclaims Sept. 25, 2026 as Dolly Parton Day and spotlights Imagination Library
September 29, 2026 | Montgomery County, Maryland
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Montgomery County Council President Natalie Fanny Gonzales read a proclamation on Sept. 29, 2026 recognizing Sept. 25, 2026 as Dolly Parton Day and honoring the Imagination Library's work in the county. Gonzales framed the recognition around Parton's national philanthropic efforts and the local affiliate's contributions to early childhood literacy.
The proclamation text noted Dolly Parton's national reach through the Imagination Library, saying the program "has provided free high quality books for more than 3,000,000 children in The United States." Council President Gonzales read local program data included in the proclamation, noting the Imagination Library of Montgomery County was founded in May 2015 and listing county enrollment figures referenced by the presenters. "Now therefore be it resolved that the county council of Montgomery County, Maryland hereby recognizes the 25th day of September 20 26 as Dolly Parton Day in Montgomery County," the reading stated.
Program representatives at the meeting described the local affiliate's operations and reach. A speaker who identified themselves in the transcript as Jennifer Arnaiz, senior administrator of early childhood services with the Department of Health and Human Services, said the county affiliate "started in 2015" and that "we have delivered more than a 190,000 books to children in Montgomery County." She said the affiliate currently serves "approximately 5,000 children in the county who reside in 14 different ZIP codes" and emphasized the program's low per-child cost: "At a cost of just $32 per child per year, we are really proud that this is a very cost efficient and impactful program."
Council President Gonzales and attendees asked partners to introduce themselves and to note their connections to early childhood work in the county. The proclamation and remarks positioned the recognition as both a symbolic honor for Dolly Parton and as an opportunity to spotlight local partners and to encourage continued community investment in early literacy programs.
The proclamation text noted Dolly Parton's national reach through the Imagination Library, saying the program "has provided free high quality books for more than 3,000,000 children in The United States." Council President Gonzales read local program data included in the proclamation, noting the Imagination Library of Montgomery County was founded in May 2015 and listing county enrollment figures referenced by the presenters. "Now therefore be it resolved that the county council of Montgomery County, Maryland hereby recognizes the 25th day of September 20 26 as Dolly Parton Day in Montgomery County," the reading stated.
Program representatives at the meeting described the local affiliate's operations and reach. A speaker who identified themselves in the transcript as Jennifer Arnaiz, senior administrator of early childhood services with the Department of Health and Human Services, said the county affiliate "started in 2015" and that "we have delivered more than a 190,000 books to children in Montgomery County." She said the affiliate currently serves "approximately 5,000 children in the county who reside in 14 different ZIP codes" and emphasized the program's low per-child cost: "At a cost of just $32 per child per year, we are really proud that this is a very cost efficient and impactful program."
Council President Gonzales and attendees asked partners to introduce themselves and to note their connections to early childhood work in the county. The proclamation and remarks positioned the recognition as both a symbolic honor for Dolly Parton and as an opportunity to spotlight local partners and to encourage continued community investment in early literacy programs.
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