Dolly Parton-Inspired Event In Stratford To Benefit Imagination Library

STRATFORD, CT — A Stratford business is hosting a special event on Friday night to benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.

Mellow Monkey Gifts & Home Decor will host a sold-out "Workin' 9 to 5 on 9/25 – A Dolly Parton Sip & Shop for Imagination Library" on Friday, Sept. 25, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at its Stratford store, 360 Sniffens Lane.

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"The free-ticketed event reached capacity ahead of Friday evening and will bring guests together for an after-hours night of shopping, complimentary libations, Dolly-inspired fun and fundraising in support of the Stratford affiliate of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library," according to a news release.

As part of Give Like Dolly Day, Mellow Monkey will donate 15 percent of sales made during the event to help fund the local Imagination Library program.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library provides enrolled children with a free, age-appropriate book mailed directly to their home every month from birth until their 5th birthday, helping families build home libraries and encouraging a love of reading from an early age.

"We knew Dolly had fans. We knew people would support a program that puts books into the hands of local kids. We were still pretty thrilled to see the event completely sell out," said Howard Aspinwall, owner of Mellow Monkey. "Friday night gets to be everything we hoped for — people having fun, supporting a local business and, simply by shopping, helping more Stratford children grow up with books in their homes."

Read more from the news release below:

The evening will feature Dolly-themed activities throughout Mellow Monkey's three showrooms, including a Dolly Shopping List challenge, a Dolly song-themed receipt drawing and other interactive touches designed to complement the shopping experience.

Nearby Drowsy Whaler, 1 Dorne Drive in Stratford's Lordship neighborhood, is also joining the effort on Sept. 25 with its Dolly-inspired "A Cup of Ambition" drink, with proceeds benefiting the program.

The event is part of a broader national celebration of Dolly Parton's philanthropic work and the mission behind the Imagination Library, which Parton launched in 1995 in her home county in East Tennessee.

Although Friday evening's Sip & Shop is sold out and attendance is limited to registered ticket holders, the event's success provides an opportunity to draw attention to the ongoing need for community support of the Stratford program.