Dolly Parton Imagination Library party Friday

WINSTON COUNTY - Five months after the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program kicked off the first time across all of Winston County, another first will take place this Friday, Feb. 7, with the first Dolly Party fundraiser for the program.
The Dolly Parton-theme party will begin at 5 p.m. at the Double Springs Municipal Building, complete with a catered dinner, special guest speakers, live performances from the Wallace State Jazz Band as well as the group Heirlooms, founded by a former employee of the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., organizers stated.
Cullman County children’s book author Karis Snider will also be a keynote speaker, along with a member of management for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, organizers added.
A meal catered by Chef Troy will be served and a live auction also held, with one of the items being a pair of Dollywood theme park tickets, as part of this unique fundraising event, according to organizers.
Tickets of $50 each are available at Listerhill Credit Union locations at Haleyville and Double Springs as well as online at the United Way of Cullman County website, organizers said.
Sponsors for tables as well as event sponsors are urged to contact United Way of Cullman County, in order to participate, according to organizers.
“We have never done anything like this in Winston County,” stressed Johnna Bailey, member of the Arley Women’s Club, which is working with United Way of Cullman County, in planning the event.
“We have  all been trying  so hard to get the word out for people to come. This is going to be not just an event that raises wonderful funds that  we so desperately need, it’s going to be fun,” Bailey pointed out.
Those attending the event are encouraged to wear Western clothing or Dolly-style outfits, according to Bailey.
“I am so excited about this, and I want everybody to be able to come out, because this is going to be one heck of a party,” Bailey said.
“Everybody can help with this,” Bailey added. “Whether you have a dollar you can give or $2 you can give or $100, we want everybody to feel like this is theirs, because it is.”
The idea for the Dolly  theme party is not just to generate funding to keep the Imagination Library going in the county at no cost to participants, but also to generate partnerships across the county, emphasized Katie Brown, chairperson of Women United, which helps raise funds for United Way.
In fact, all of the proceeds generated through this Friday night’s fundraiser will go  to the Imagination library serving Winston County, Brown added.