08/28/2026
There are few people who represent the heart of Appalachia quite like Dolly Parton. Through her Imagination Library, Dolly has put millions of books into the hands of children and helped foster a love of reading from the very beginning. But what we love most about Dolly is what she has always stood for: kindness, inclusion, generosity, believing in yourself, and loving people for exactly who they are.
Her story reminds our children that you don’t have to come from a lot to become something extraordinary. Sometimes even a Coat of Many Colors can become a reminder that what matters most isn’t what something costs, but the love stitched into it. ❤️
So beginning this year, we’re dubbing September 25 (9/25) “Dolly Parton Day” at both Ted E. Bear Academy centers! 🦋📚✨
We’ll spend the day reading Dolly’s books, celebrating her story, talking about kindness and acceptance, and reminding our little bears that big dreams can grow from small places.
Thank you, Dolly, for loving our Appalachian home so fiercely, for believing in its children, and for being such a bright, shining example of what it means to use your success to lift others up.
We think that’s something worth celebrating. 💗
We will always love you.