Charlotte County Invited to Join 9 to 5 Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 3, 2026
Media Contact: Gaylin Morris, Executive Director Gilstad Literacy Foundation | (941) 628-3734 gilstadlfccil@gmail.com

CHARLOTTE COUNTY INVITED TO JOIN 9 TO 5 DAY
Dolly-inspired Sept. 25 celebration will support local children

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Gilstad Literacy Foundation and Charlotte County Imagination Library are inviting businesses, schools, government offices, organizations and residents to participate in a communitywide “9 to 5 Day” honoring Dolly Parton on Friday, Sept. 25.

The date, written as 9/25, connects the celebration to Parton’s iconic song “9 to 5.” After learning that Imagination Library affiliates, organizations and Dolly supporters across the country were preparing community-led celebrations of her life, legacy, philanthropy and contributions to early childhood literacy, local leaders wanted Charlotte County to have the opportunity to participate.

“When we became aware that people across the country were preparing to celebrate Dolly and support the work she loved, we knew Charlotte County deserved the opportunity to be part of it,” said Shawn Gilstad, founder and community champion of Charlotte County Imagination Library. “Dolly inspired us to begin this program almost 15 years ago. I believe she would give us time to grieve and then tell us to get our rear in gear and continue putting books into the hands of children.”

The featured activity is a “Dress Like Dolly Day,” modeled after workplace blue-jean-day fundraisers. Participating employers register their workplace and invite employees to make a voluntary $9.25 donation to Charlotte County Imagination Library. Employees may then wear workplace-appropriate Dolly-inspired attire, pink, denim, rhinestones, butterflies, boots or sparkle on Sept. 25.

Organizations may also decorate, display Imagination Library information, share the campaign on social media, encourage eligible families to enroll, make a group donation, organize a reading activity or participate in a special 9:25 a.m. community moment. Holding a fundraiser is not required.

Businesses and organizations can register at: https://forms.gle/8Kak8u43oUxNPbdy5

Registration allows CCIL and GLF to recognize participating organizations, showcase their activities, provide campaign materials and measure community participation.

Charlotte County Imagination Library currently mails a free, age-appropriate book each month to 2,591 local children from birth through age 5. Since March 2012, the program has mailed 267,027 books, celebrated 10,464 graduates and served more than 13,000 Charlotte County children. Local donations help Gilstad Literacy Foundation support the cost of providing these books locally.

“Dolly Parton has shown the world that something as simple as putting a book into the hands of a child can have an extraordinary impact,” said Gaylin Morris, executive director of Gilstad Literacy Foundation. “Dolly Parton Day is an opportunity for our entire community to have some fun while celebrating literacy and helping us continue her incredible mission right here in Charlotte County.”

To donate $9.25 or more, visit www.gilstadliteracyfoundation.org. For program information or child enrollment, visit www.charlottecountyimaginationlibrary.org.

9/25 meets “9 to 5.” Together, Charlotte County can celebrate Dolly and continue her legacy for local children.
ABOUT CHARLOTTE COUNTY IMAGINATION LIBRARY

Charlotte County Imagination Library, administered by Gilstad Literacy Foundation, is a local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program mails free, age-appropriate books monthly to registered Charlotte County children from birth through age 5, encouraging family reading, school readiness and a lifelong love of books.