WHAT WE DO
61% of low-income families in Hampton Roads do not have children’s books in their homes. We’re on a mission to change that.
The DeGood Foundation is the home of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Hampton Roads. By providing free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children each month, we inspire a love of books, reading, and learning that will lay the foundation for literacy and learning for years to come.
5,100+
Children receiving free books each month
88,500+
Total books mailed since inception
5,875+
Children served since inception
6
Counties Served
1 in 3 children on the Virginia Peninsula receive Imagination Library books through The DeGood Foundation.
Together, we can write the next chapter
Here’s how you can take action today:
Join The Book Club
Book Club members are monthly donors committed to making an impact and getting books into the hands of children.
A $26 monthly donation can give 312 children access to free monthly books for a whole year.
Sponsor a Child
Be the reason a child gets access to free high-quality, age-appropriate books delivered every month, with their name on the label.
Volunteer
Become part of the DeGood family and get hands on with our mission. Both remote and in-person opportunities are available.
Although the organization bears the DeGood name, it is not a family foundation, family/privately funded, or a family effort. 100% of the support and work of the foundation is thanks to the incredible community we call home. Learn more about our name here.
Meet Our Friends
They have stories to tell, all thanks to generous people like you that make our work possible.
Stories from the Mailbox
Benjamin B.
“My son, Benny, just turned 2 and checks the mail daily for his new book from “Dowwy Pawton.” He has such a love for books and I attribute a big part of that to his imagination library deliveries!”
Stories from our Partners
Lucille H.
“The nurses at Riverside Regional Hospital made sure I knew all about The DeGood Foundation and the Imagination Library before we left and it’s had such an impact on our family!”
Stories from the Mailbox
Corrine G.
“My daughter sees the book in the mail and wants to get it out immediately and says ‘mom let’s read’ We always look toward to getting these books.”
“Reading isn’t just about the ability to read words on a page. It’s about the ability to comprehend with confidence, succeed in school and life, feel good about yourself, and unlock a whole world of learning. If you can read with confidence, you can teach yourself anything and become anything, making your biggest dreams possible.”