All ages and even four-legged friends can participate in an upcoming event to help local literacy initiatives.
The inaugural Dolly Dash 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Dog Walk is set for 9 a.m. July 17 starting and ending at Harmony Park, 753 W. Second St., Seymour.
The idea came about when READ Jackson County Executive Director Anne Staley was jotting down ideas for ways to pay for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Jackson County, of which her organization is an affiliate champion.
Although it’s free for children, there is still a bill for the postage and books from the corporate organization each month.
“Nothing was really melting my butter until this idea came to me in a flash one day,” Staley said. “The last 18 months had been so downtrodden and I thought, ‘Why not put the fun in fundraiser with a 5K but add the dress like country star Dolly Parton as a twist? Since Dolly invented the program, why not use her as our muse?’”
She said Parton’s style would add some razzle-dazzle with participants dressing up like the county star complete with wigs, tutus, sequins or whatever else.
“This being a unique spin on the usual 5K event for Seymour, my hope is that people will want to come out and have a bit of fun for a good cause,” Staley said.
She also said since the community has been staying home for lengths of time and limiting exposure to one another due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an outdoor event giving them exercise and an excuse to mingle and let loose Dolly-style would be just the fun Jackson County needed.
“I pitched this idea to Pam Kindel, coordinator of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Jackson County, and she wholeheartedly thought it would make a unique event to raise funds for literacy,” Staley said.
All 5K run/walk participants will receive a race medal, and those registered by Thursday at raceentry.com/races/dolly-dash/2021/register will get a swag bag filled with items from area businesses. The cost is $40 for adults and $25 for kids, including a race shirt. The prices drop to $20 and $5, respectively, if you don’t want a race shirt.
For those who dress up like Parton, first place for best costume will receive a new Apple Watch provided by Schuler Bauer Real Estate Services of Seymour, second place will receive a package of five oil changes at Dorsey’s Auto Body Center and third place will receive a $100 Bob Poynter gift card for the service department.
First prize for the 5K run will be a $500 gift certificate from Big O Tires for a set of four new tires, while second place will win a Yeti Hopper Flip 12 cooler valued at $275, and third place will receive a window tint package provided by Fine Line Window Tinting.
Mighty Mini Donuts will be onsite selling doughnuts and Laura Jo’s Cookies for Kids.
There also will be a raffle with each participant and spectator getting one ticket for a chance to win prizes. You must be present to win.
Plus, there will be a basket raffle with one ticket for $5 or five for $20. Tickets also may be purchased before race day at Big O Tires or Schuler Bauer in Seymour.
For the 1-mile walk, families are encouraged to bring their kids and dogs to participate. The cost is $30 with a race shirt by Thursday or $10 if you don’t want a shirt.
First prize for the best dressed dog contest will be a Furbo Dog Camera, second place will receive a $50 dog grooming certificate and third place will receive dog toys. All of those prizes will be provided by Paws-N-Klaws Pet Parlor.
“The Dolly Dash is an all-inclusive event where our vision is to see runners, walkers, families with children and their dogs gathering together in support of childhood literacy,” Kindel said. “People are naturally about connecting with their families and neighbors and their community, and the Dolly Dash will be an excellent place for everyone to enjoy in those connections.”
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library started in Jackson County in March. Since then, 566 kids have registered to receive a free book each month.
The program started with donations from individuals, businesses and organizations, but with people signing up so quickly, Kindel said they now have program sustainability concerns.
“We are feverishly reaching out for grant opportunities and doing fundraisers, such as the Dolly Dash, but we need financial support from the community to keep this wonderful program going,” she said. “Donations in any amount are much appreciated. It costs $25 per child per year on our end to pay for the shipping of the books. A donation of $100 will ensure four children can have access to a monthly book for an entire year.”
READ Jackson County blends literacy, education and community outreach in its mission. Proceeds from the Dolly Dash will help with operational costs and to continue three programs.
Babies, Books and Blankets provides a board book and a blanket for every newborn at Schneck Medical Center, PJs and Books allows for children entering foster care in Jackson County to receive a duffel bag filled with pajamas, a book, a notebook and a stuffed toy friend and Read Rockets provides reading instruction to students at local after-school facilities during the school year.
Dolly Dash proceeds also will help the organization start a new program, Project Good Night. Children experiencing homelessness in Jackson County will be given a duffel bag, a blanket, a book, a journal and a stuffed animal so they feel like they are wanted, Staley said.
The Dolly Dash fundraising goal is $10,000, which will be split evenly between both organizations.
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What: Dolly Dash 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Dog Walk
When: 9 a.m. July 17 (check-in starts at 8 a.m.)
Where: Harmony Park, 753 W. Second St., Seymour
Who: Run/walk open to people of all ages, and 1-mile walk is for families and their dogs
Cost: 5K is $40 for adults and $25 for kids, including a race shirt, or $20 and $5, respectively, if you don’t want a race shirt; 1-mile walk is $30 with a race shirt and $10 without (prices are for those registered online at raceentry.com/races/dolly-dash/2021/register by Thursday)
Other features: Prizes, raffles, costume contests for people (dress up like Dolly Parton) and dogs and Mighty Mini Donuts food truck
Proceeds: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Jackson County and READ Jackson County
Information: facebook.com/events/574373550195502, facebook.com/readjacksoncounty or facebook.com/Dolly-Partons-Imagination-Library-of-Jackson-County-101235208646915
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