DawsonTimes.com

During the Rotary District 6910 Conference in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee over the weekend, the Rotary Club of White County presented a special Cabbage Patch Kid® to Dolly Parton.  This one-of-a-kind "Baby Dolly" which was made in the likeness of Dolly Parton was approved and hand signed by none other than Cabbage Patch Kids Founder, Xavier Roberts. 

Rotary District Governor Gary Moore, District Conference Chairman Homer Lewis, President-Elect of the Rotary Club of White County, Maria Jurado-Flynn and Margaret McLean, Director of Corporate Communications for BabyLand General® Hospital and Cabbage Patch Kids were invited to Dolly Parton’s private dressing room at Dollywood to make the presentation.

"We wanted to honor Dolly for her tremendous support of Rotary's literacy initiative," said Maria Jurado-Flynn, Executive Director for Cleveland Better Home Town and President-Elect of the Rotary Club of White County.  “This was our Club's way to say thank you to Dolly for inspiring so many children to learn to read.”  Dolly Parton's Imagination Library mails one book per month to each enrolled child from the time of their birth until they enter kindergarten.  It began in Sevier County in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (Dolly’s home) but has now been replicated in 566 counties across thirty-six U.S. states (as well as in Canada).  The program distributes more than 2.5 million free books to children annually. 

With the help of District Governor Gary Moore and District Conference Chairman Homer Lewis, the Club was able to obtain photos of Dolly as a child to produce the Baby Dolly.  During the presentation Margaret McLean had Dolly sign the official adoption paper and administered the "Oath of Adoption," making Dolly Parton the newest Cabbage Patch parent.  

“We are very selective when we agree to do a one-of-a-kind, celebrity Cabbage Patch Kid,” McLean said. “Dolly Parton’s support of child literacy and her loyalty to her community, mirrors the philosophy of BabyLand General® Hospital and Cabbage Patch Kids. She is an excellent role model for our young “adoptive parents,” who learn that love comes with commitment and responsibilities. We were pleased to fulfill the request and support the humanitarian efforts of Rotary International and the Rotary Club of White County.”  

Rotary’s major initiatives worldwide are Health, Hunger, Literacy and Clean Water.  In March Rotary International announced its partnership with Dolly Parton during a formal announcement in Atlanta.  Locally, the Rotary Club of White County has supported the Dollywood Foundation by sponsoring more than 50 local children in the reading program. “

The Rotary Club of White County was founded in February of 1982 and currently has 55 active members that support a number of local organizations, including the White County Food Pantry, the Caring Hands Health Clinic, the White County Library, Salute to Education, Red Ribbon Week, YMCA, the Boy Scouts, our local 4-H Club and the Chambers’ Youth Leadership program.  The Club has also supported a number of community service projects by building wheel chair ramps and re-landscaping the Freedom Vigil Monument in front of the courthouse.  Rotary is known worldwide as a leader in community service and through its actions, the local club is committed to Rotary’s motto of, “Service Above Self.”