RELEASE DATE:
September 21, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Community campaign launching September 21 seeks to raise more than $16,000 to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Kershaw County
KERSHAW COUNTY, S.C. – Kershaw County First Steps is launching “Dolly Day: Give a Book, Spark a Dream” on September 25, a community-wide fundraising campaign supporting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and nearly 500 qualified children in Kershaw County.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to enrolled children from birth to age five, delivered directly to their homes each month. The program helps families build home libraries and encourages reading and early learning during a critical period of childhood development.
This year, Kershaw County First Steps’ current funding partner is unable to continue its normal level of financial support for the program. Kershaw County First Steps is turning to the community for help to ensure children currently enrolled in the program can continue receiving their books throughout the organization’s fiscal year.
The goal is to raise more than $16,000.
At an annual cost of approximately $40 per child, every $40 raised can support one local child’s participation in the program for an entire year.
“Nearly 500 children in Kershaw County are counting on these books arriving in their mailboxes each month,” said Katie Nichols, Executive Director of Kershaw County First Steps. “Our goal is simple. We want to ensure every child currently registered in our community can continue receiving their books. We are asking individuals, businesses, organizations and community partners to help us make that possible.”
DOLLY DAY KICKS OFF SEPTEMBER 25
Beginning September 25, Kershaw County First Steps will invite the entire community to celebrate Dolly Parton’s commitment to childhood literacy by helping fund the local Imagination Library program.
Individuals can sponsor a child for $40 for the year, with opportunities to support multiple children. Individual sponsorship opportunities range from supporting one child for $40 to supporting 10 children for $400.
Corporate and community sponsors can make an even larger impact, with sponsorship opportunities designed to support groups of children. Corporate sponsorship levels range from $400, which supports 10 children, to $8,000, which supports 200 children for the year. Sponsorship opportunities include recognition through Kershaw County First Steps, including website placement, annual report recognition and other benefits based on sponsorship level.
Every contribution moves the organization closer to its goal of keeping books in the hands of Kershaw County children.
“This is an opportunity for our entire community to come together around early literacy,” Nichols said. “Whether you sponsor one child, 10 children or 200 children, you are directly helping a local child continue receiving books and building a love of reading.”
Kershaw County First Steps encourages individuals, businesses, civic organizations and community partners to participate in Dolly Day beginning September 25 and help spread the word throughout Kershaw County.
Every $40 supports one child for one year.
Every child deserves the opportunity to read, imagine and grow.
ABOUT KERSHAW COUNTY FIRST STEPS
Kershaw County First Steps works to ensure that children in Kershaw County enter school healthy, ready to learn and prepared to succeed. Through partnerships, family support, early literacy initiatives and community-based programs, Kershaw County First Steps connects families with resources and opportunities that support children from birth through age five.
Media Contact:
Jessica Clea
Community Outreach Coordinator
Kershaw County First Steps
Phone: (803) 432-7756
Email: community@kershawfirststeps.org
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For more information about Kershaw County First Steps or how to volunteer or donate, please visit our website (https://kershawfirststeps.org) or email info@kershawfirststeps.org.
