{"id":133714,"date":"2026-09-22T13:00:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T17:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=133714"},"modified":"2026-10-13T14:16:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T18:16:37","slug":"acpl-joins-in-give-like-dolly-celebrations-20260925","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2026\/09\/22\/acpl-joins-in-give-like-dolly-celebrations-20260925\/","title":{"rendered":"ACPL Joins in “Give Like Dolly” Celebrations – 9\/25\/2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Allen County Public Library Foundation is inviting the community to celebrate the first-ever \u201cGive Like Dolly Day\u201d on September 25, 2026.<\/p>\n

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Allen County Public Library news release:<\/p>\n

ACPL Joins in “Give Like Dolly” Celebrations on September 25, Encouraging the Community to Make a Difference in a Child\u2019s Life<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fort Wayne, Indiana (September 22, 2026) \u2013 The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) Foundation is inviting the community to celebrate the first-ever \u201cGive Like Dolly Day\u201d on September 25, a global day dedicated to supporting local Dolly Parton\u2019s Imagination Library Programs. The date, 9\/25, is a nod to Parton\u2019s famous song and film \u201c9 to 5\u201d and honors Dolly\u2019s extraordinary legacy of inspiring children to dream big and develop a lifelong love of reading. As Dolly often said, \u201cIf you can read, you can do anything, dream anything and be anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the heart of \u201cGive Like Dolly Day\u201d are the thousands of local Imagination Library partners around the world who help carry Dolly\u2019s mission forward in their own communities. In Allen County, the ACPL Foundation fills that role and has served more than 12,000 children since the program\u2019s launch in late 2024.<\/p>\n

“Dolly has always said that local partners are the true heroes of the Imagination Library,” said ACPL Executive Director Susan P. Baier. “This day is our chance to celebrate that partnership, thank our community for its support, and make sure every child in Allen County has access to the magic of books.”<\/p>\n

Along with celebrating all things Dolly, the ACPL Foundation would also like to thank the many donors who have given to the Imagination Library, including most recently the Surack Family Foundation. The group’s founders, local entrepreneurs and philanthropists Chuck and Lisa Surack, committed a $10,000 gift in support of ACPL’s Give Like Dolly Day. The Suracks were among the original champions of Imagination Library in Allen County, making a significant contribution previously to the ACPL Foundation to help the program launch in October 2024.<\/p>\n

Chuck Surack is a strong supporter of early literacy, but also a Dolly fan who had the opportunity to cross paths with her several times in the music industry.<\/p>\n

“I can’t imagine anything more important than reading. Through third grade, children are learning to read; after third grade, students read to learn,” said Surack. “It’s critically important to me that Allen County children enter kindergarten ready to learn how to read so they are set for success in school and life. We can all learn from Dolly’s example and today, I was happy to make this gift to the Imagination Library. I believe it will positively impact the community I love for generations to come.”<\/p>\n

Several local entities have also signed on to mark the occasion. The Allen County Commissioners will read a special proclamation officially recognizing September 25 as \u201cGive Like Dolly Day in Allen County\u201d during their legislative session on 9\/25. City of Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker has also shared a letter of support for the day.<\/p>\n

At the ACPL, special Dolly-themed Storytimes will happen at both the Main Library (10 a.m.) and the Georgetown Branch (10:15 a.m.). There are also Dolly-themed displays and\/or activities at the Main Library and the Aboite, Dupont, Georgetown, Grabill, Hessen Cassel, Little Turtle, New Haven, Pontiac, Tecumseh, and Woodburn branches.<\/p>\n

The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum will display Dolly Day messages on its marquee sign and, as the day winds down, Purdue Fort Wayne\u2019s Parker Cole Crossing bridge over Coliseum Blvd. will be lit Dolly\u2019s signature color \u2013 bright pink- in her honor.<\/p>\n

The entire Allen County community is invited to celebrate. Suggested celebrations include:<\/p>\n