Welcome to the Rotary Club of Nevada City

Dear Community Champion,

It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Dolly Parton on August 25, 2026. Dolly was a devoted champion for children and literacy, inspired by her own father’s inability to read and write — the same inspiration behind the Imagination Library she launched in 1995, now touching millions of children and families, including thousands right here in Nevada County.

In Memory of Dolly Parton

1946 — 2026

One year ago, our community came together around the simple but powerful idea Dolly held dear: every child deserves the joy of receiving books of their very own. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now changing lives across Nevada County – we have over 1,100 children enrolled and over 10,000 books have been mailed to local families – bringing stories, imagination, and opportunities to learn into homes every month.

Today, the Imagination Library mails more than three million free, age-appropriate books each month to children worldwide. Thanks to the Nevada City Rotary Club Foundation, First 5 Nevada County, and countless community supporters, Nevada County joined this movement one year ago — and now carries the responsibility of honoring Dolly’s legacy by making sure it lives on for generations of local children to come.

One Year of Impact

• Over 10,000 books delivered to children across Nevada County
• Free, high-quality books mailed each month to children from birth to age five
• Bilingual books available for Spanish-speaking families
• Personalized books addressed directly to each child, helping build excitement around reading
• A program that is available to every eligible child, regardless of income or background

In memoriam of Dolly Parton and who she will continue to be for our children, we invite you to read more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Nevada County and how you can honor her legacy.

2026-27 RI President Olayinka “Yinka” Babalola

Introduced at the 2026 International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, Create Lasting Impact builds on the connections forged under 2025–26’s Unite for Good. President Babalola’s call to action is rooted in a simple but profound distinction: outcomes show what we did—impact reveals whether it endured. “We must focus not only on outcomes, but on impact,” he said. “Change is only the beginning. Impact is what endures.”

Click for video of RIP Yinka or printable Message 

RI President Babalola traces this conviction to his own story: as a Rotaractor in Nigeria, a literacy project changed how he saw his responsibilities. “Rotary has changed us,” he told district governors elect. “It has shaped who we are and made us better people.” Transformation is not just something Rotary creates in communities—it begins in each of us.

Learn more about what this means for Nevada City Rotary ~