Willamette, Salem civic engagement leaders reflect on Dolly Parton’s legacy alongside ongoing collaboration with Early Learning Hub
Across Willamette’s campus, a culture of civic engagement—actions that individuals or groups take to address the concerns and well-being of their communities—drives students to step up, get involved and apply their skills to improve the public life of the greater Salem community. Especially now, that drive is taking a page out of Dolly Parton’s book.
Parton’s impact on the Willamette community includes a benefit concert in August 1990 that raised money for the Sparks Center, ultimately raising $40,000 for new equipment. Her impact is still felt even after her passing, not just among Willamette students, but throughout the Salem community as well.
Through a partnership with the Marion and Polk Early Learning Hub, Willamette students are helping fund and facilitate the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a global initiative that mails free books to children from birth until age five. Lisa Harnisch, the Hub's executive director, noted that the program aims to improve kindergarten readiness scores across the region by acting as an equalizer for families, regardless of income.
"If you look at national data, families who are of lower socioeconomic status typically have far fewer books in the home," Harnisch said. "In fact, we did a survey of families here in Salem and Keizer about 12 years ago, and families had fewer than 10 books in the home.”
In an emailed statement, Harnisch continued “The Dolly Parton Imagination Library helps us get books into the homes and hands of children. Research shows that having more books at home correlates with better academic achievement and language comprehension among children."
While the Dollywood Foundation covers most overhead, database management and shipping, local affiliates such as the Early Learning Hub cover a portion of the costs.
"As the affiliate program, we are responsible for raising $32 per child per year. A couple of years ago, the state of Oregon passed legislation to cover 50% of that cost for affiliate programs, so we only have to raise $16 per year per child. This is where Willamette students can help raise awareness and even help do some fundraising, because just $16 will cover the cost of books for one year,” Harnisch said.
To help meet this goal, Willamette students have stepped up to volunteer at community sign-up events, raise awareness and generate funds. Ava Lee (’28), the Equitable Education Catalyst for the Office of Civic Engagement, has been working directly on the initiative. One recent event had volunteers, including Willamette students, dressing up as storybook characters and running activities to engage families while securing donations. For Lee, the mission of the program strikes a personal chord.
"This is very special to me because reading was always something that I enjoyed growing up, and I know not everyone had that same kind of experience," Lee said. "I remember my dad reading to me every single night, and that sparked my love for it, making it not something to dread."
For students looking to pay it forward—whether through literacy programs or other community initiatives—the Office of Civic Engagement acts as a central hub.
"If you want to get involved, I'd say definitely look out for our posters around campus. You will always get connected with the different catalysts that work in different goal areas you're interested in," Lee said.
For Willamette’s Assistant Dean for Civic Engagement, Tommy Van Cleave, Parton’s philanthropic legacy serves as a perfect model for students looking to make an impact. The Imagination Library was originally inspired by Parton’s father, who never learned to read or write.
"I love that the origins of this are just one person's love for another, Dolly Parton's love for her father," Van Cleave said. "We might not all become potential billionaires, but that doesn't mean that we don't have time and resources to make a difference. Find what makes your heart hurt a little bit, and then work towards being a part of the solution."
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