2700 Monroeville Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
2700 Monroeville Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
MONROEVILLE, PA — October 26, 2026 — This holiday season, help bring the gift of reading to Monroeville's youngest learners. The Monroeville Foundation is proud to announce plans to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Monroeville, Pennsylvania, through a new early childhood literacy pilot program.
To make this possible, the Foundation is launching Books & Bows, its 2026 holiday fundraising campaign dedicated to supporting the introduction and long-term sustainability of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Monroeville. Books & Bows is the fundraising initiative; Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is the literacy program that those contributions will help establish.
Through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, eligible children receive a free, age-appropriate book mailed directly to their homes each month, from birth until their fifth birthday, regardless of family income. The program encourages early learning, helps families build home libraries, and fosters a lifelong love of reading.
With approximately 1,573 children under the age of five in Monroeville, the Foundation hopes to make this opportunity available to eligible families throughout the community. It costs just $35 per year to sponsor one child, supporting a full year of monthly book deliveries and the local program costs that make them possible.
The Monroeville Foundation plans to introduce Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through a local pilot program designed to establish the initiative, evaluate participation, strengthen community partnerships, and develop a sustainable model for continued operations.
The Foundation's first fundraising milestone is $25,000 by December 31, 2026, the initial funding needed to move forward with launching the pilot program. This amount can be raised through a single Presenting Sponsor, grassroots community giving, or a combination of contributions. The initial fundraising goal will support program implementation, outreach, operations, and long-term sustainability in addition to the direct cost of shipping each book.
Once the initial funding requirement has been met and necessary operational preparations are complete, the Foundation can move forward with the program launch and enrollment.
Additional information regarding the pilot program's launch and family registration process will be announced as plans are finalized.
The Monroeville Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Monroeville through community partnerships, charitable initiatives, and events that bring residents together.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Monroeville represents an expansion of that mission by investing in the educational development of Monroeville's youngest residents.
“Bringing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Monroeville is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting investment in our children and families,” said Felicia Thomas, President of The Monroeville Foundation. “Our pilot program is the first step toward building something sustainable that can benefit generations of Monroeville children. Through the Monroeville Foundation's holiday giving campaign, we're inviting our entire community to help us make that vision a reality.”
The Foundation recognizes that establishing a successful literacy program requires more than financial contributions. Community involvement will be essential throughout the pilot program and its future development.
Opportunities for individuals, businesses, community organizations, and volunteers to participate are anticipated during pre-launch planning, the program launch, ongoing operations, and long-term sustainability efforts.
The Foundation is particularly interested in connecting with individuals with expertise in early childhood literacy, program administration and compliance, community outreach, nonprofit fundraising, grant writing, and more.
Individuals and organizations interested in contributing their time, expertise, or resources are encouraged to contact the Foundation.
The Monroeville Foundation invites individuals, families, businesses, and community organizations to contribute toward the fundraising goal.
For just $35, donors can sponsor one Monroeville child for an entire year of monthly books. “Someone right here in Monroeville may have been touched by Dolly Parton’s music, generosity, or commitment to children—and may feel inspired to extend that legacy by sponsoring a group of children, or even every eligible child in our community. Whether you sponsor one child or hundreds, you can help put books into young readers’ hands.”
The Foundation is also seeking an exclusive Presenting Sponsor to help launch the local pilot. Businesses and community organizations interested in this opportunity are encouraged to contact DPIL@monroevillefoundation.org.
If the full fundraising goal is not reached by December 31, fundraising will continue as the Foundation works toward establishing a sustainable program.
Mail checks payable to:
The Monroeville Foundation
2700 Monroeville Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
Please write “DPIL Books & Bows Campaign” in the check memo line.
Donors may notify the Foundation of an anticipated contribution by emailing DPIL@monroevillefoundation.org with their name, pledged amount, and expected mailing date. Organizations interested in the exclusive presenting sponsorship or community involvement opportunities may contact the same email address for additional information.
The Monroeville Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the Monroeville community through charitable programs, partnerships, and community initiatives.
The Monroeville Foundation
2700 Monroeville Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
booksandbows@monroevillefoundation.org