Ending Loneliness and Inspiring Imagination

Sometimes a single program can produce multiple positive impacts. This is the case with United Way Australia’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and Beehive Industries, a social enterprise whose volunteers are typically isolated older adults.

This monthly home delivery book program brings the magic of a library into the homes of more than 500 children in Australia’s most vulnerable communities. Every child in the program is given quality, physical books to keep for their very own, kickstarting a lifelong love of reading and helping them reach their full potential!

Dolly Parton is known as an iconic performer, but she is also an avid philanthropist. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library began in 1995 in her hometown in Tennessee and has since grown to the world’s largest childhood book gifting program. To fulfill these orders, United Way Australia relies on Beehive Industries volunteers.   

During the COVID-19 Crisis, The Imagination Library has continued to bring the magic of reading into the homes of families in isolation, keeping learning at the centre of Australian families.