Oconee County First Steps

08/31/2026

Such wonderful news! Dolly's legacy of putting books into the hands of children and inspiring them to dream will continue on! 📖🦋 Message us today about how you can help locally!

08/28/2026

💛 Carrying her light forward

Dolly spent her life making sure no child grew up without books of their own. This weekend, we get to carry that on — 97 NEW little hands are already registered for Dolly's gift right here in Oconee County, and we want to make it 100 new kids!

To the last few parents out there: sign your little one up and be part of keeping her gift going, right here at home. 📚💛

https://imaginationlibrary.com/us/affiliate/SCOCONEE/

08/27/2026

📖 1,800 Oconee County Children Enrolled in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library! 👪

Did you know that thanks to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, South Carolina First Steps, and our generous local partners, 1,800 Oconee County children receive a FREE book in the mail each month?

But the Imagination Library does far more than simply put books into children's homes. Research shows it can help change children's relationship with books and encourage meaningful reading habits for the entire family.

A groundbreaking international study of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library found that U.S. children participating in the program were:

✅ 11x more likely to be interested in books
✅ 15x more likely to join in during shared book reading
✅ Nearly 3x more likely to demonstrate concepts about print than children who weren't participating

Communities that support early literacy often see long-term benefits including:

✅ Higher kindergarten readiness
✅ Reduced need for remediation and intervention
✅ Stronger educational outcomes
✅ Improved long-term health and wellbeing
✅ More equitable opportunities for children and families

Early literacy is about far more than learning letters and words. It helps build the foundation for learning, development, and future opportunity.

Every story shared, every conversation sparked by a book, and every moment spent reading together gives children another opportunity to develop the language and early literacy skills they'll carry with them into school.

That's why investing in early literacy matters—not only for individual children and families, but for the future of our entire community.

When children enter school better prepared to learn, we give them a stronger foundation on which to build. And when a community comes together around its youngest children, that investment can make a difference for years to come.

➡ For Parents & Caregivers:

Enroll your child today for FREE:
https://imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability/

➡ For Local Businesses, Organizations & Individuals:

Want to help put books into the hands of more Oconee County children? We'd love to have you join us! Message us or contact us at [email protected].

📖 1,800 children. One book every month. Countless opportunities to learn, grow, and dream. Thank you, Dolly.🦋

08/26/2026

Visit Park Place Drive-In today with your favorite book and get a FREE scoop of ice cream!🍦 Such a wonderful gesture of kindness toward the community!

We've had the honor of participating in Imagination Library programs in the past, and we have seen the direct impact it has on kids right here in our community. As our small way of honoring Dolly's legacy, we would like to offer a free scoop of ice cream to any child or young adult who brings in their favorite book and shows it to us. Wednesday 8/26. While supplies last*

Park Place Drive-in
102 W North Ave Westminster
ParkPlaceDrive-in.com

08/25/2026

Rest easy, Dolly. Because of your generosity, your family is carrying your legacy forward — and every child who opens an Imagination Library book will keep your light shining. 💛📚

Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.

Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000).

A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.

At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com

08/25/2026

Our hearts are broken at the news of Dolly Parton's passing today. 💔

Dolly's impact on the world is immeasurable, but she leaves an especially meaningful legacy in the lives of children through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Her vision and generosity have helped put books into the hands of millions of children around the world and inspired a love of reading that will impact families for generations to come—including 1,800 children who receive a free book each month right here in Oconee County. 📖❤️

Dolly was truly one of a kind. She was loved by so many and will be dearly missed, but the legacy she created will live on every time a child opens a book and discovers the joy of reading.

Thank you, Dolly, for dreaming big—and for helping generations of children dream big, too. ❤️

08/25/2026

BECOME A MENTOR! Check out Our Greater Good - Oconee County for more information.

Become a part of Our Greater Good today by becoming a mentor!

You can make a lasting impact on a child's life by simply showing up consistently.

Contact us today for more information!

Email Garner at [email protected] or visit our website www.oggoc.org

08/25/2026

Parenting isn't always easy, but you don't have to do it alone. If you are expecting a new baby or raising a young child, First Five SC can connect you with free services and resources in your community. From food assistance to child care, special needs services to parenting support, First Five SC helps you choose options that are right for you. Visit first5sc.org today to get started.

08/25/2026

Before proceeding, make sure to have the following documents ready to upload. You can save them to your computer or phone, or use your phone camera to take a picture and upload it to the application.

08/20/2026

"My daughter loves 'Coat of Many Colors!' We have been keeping track of our reading progress since she started the Imagination Library and have now passed our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge! We’re working to hit 2,000 before Kindergarten now!" - Macey S.