Aside from being one of the most iconic country musicians of all time, Dolly Parton is also known for her kind heart as she helped many people in the past through her charitable works. To boost her efforts, even more, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos recently made a big move for the singer.
Over the weekend, the famed billionaire shared a video in which he announced the next recipient of the Courage and Civility Award at a charity event.
Bezos said the recipient gives her heart to people and has done many good things in the past, before calling Parton on stage.
We’ve just announced a new Courage and Civility award recipient — @DollyParton, who leads with her heart, and will put this $100 million award to great use helping so many people. She joins prior awardees, @VanJones68 and @Chefjoseandres. Congrats, Dolly! pic.twitter.com/dzTuoGVp3G
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) November 12, 2022
The singer, who sported a black lace dress paired with her signature hairstyle, appeared to be shocked upon greeting Bezos on stage, saying "Wow! Did you say 100 million dollars?"
Speaking about what she would do with the money, the "I Will Always Love You" hitmaker said when people have the privilege to help, they should help.
"I try to put my money where my heart is, and I think you [Jeff Bezos] do the same thing. I will do my best to do good things with this money," she said before giving the billionaire a hug.
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
According to NPR, Parton has an ongoing project called Imagination Library, an effort to give out free books to children in five different countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and Canada.
Per the project's official website, the charity has already given out 193,008,232 books as of October 2022.
It all began in 1995. Initially, the books were only given out to children within the Sevier county area where Parton grew up, but they expanded the program to different counties a few years later.
In a previous interview with the outlet, the country legend said she established the program decades ago after being inspired by her father, Robert Lee Parton.
Her father began working at a young age to support his family, and in similar cases within his generation, he never got the chance to go to school.
"Daddy couldn't read and write, and that was kind of crippling to him. He was such a smart man, though," she said.
When Robert grew up, he never attempted to learn how to read and write because it was "embarrassing" to him. That's why she wanted to give out something that her father never had, early access to books.
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