Westfield, Massachusetts

Eighth graders in Jennifer Johnson-Corwin's history class at Westfield Middle School spent time this week writing letters and cards to veterans as part of the school's annual "Thank-a-Veteran" project, now in its fourth year. Librarian Sarah Scott led the lesson, teaching students the history of Veterans Day along with letter-writing basics, including how to structure a message, sign off, and address an envelope.

Most letters will go to residents of the Massachusetts Veterans Home in Holyoke, distributed through the office of state Senator John Velis, while others were addressed to two veterans on staff at the school, STEM teacher Patrick Dufraine and School Resource Officer Mike Csekovsky. Many students wrote about relatives who served in the military, expressing gratitude for their sacrifices. Principal Jesse McMillan called the exercise a meaningful way for students to connect with the service and sacrifice behind the holiday, which is observed Nov. 11.

Communities nationwide observed "Give Like Dolly Day" on Sept. 25, an annual Dollywood Foundation observance supporting local Imagination Library programs. Indiana marked its first such day with events including a reading of Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors" at the Westfield Washington Public Library. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott separately proclaimed Sept. 25 as "Dolly Parton Day," honoring her literacy work; the Dollywood Foundation reports more than 74,500 Texas children enrolled through over seventy local partners across 90 counties. Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80.

Founded in 1995, the Imagination Library has distributed more than 300 million free books, mailing one monthly to enrolled children from birth until age five. In Indiana, roughly 400,000 children are eligible but only about 39% are enrolled, prompting a push from First Lady Maureen Braun to raise participation. State lawmakers cut funding in 2025, though Hamilton County has since approved local funding through July 2028. Organizers stress urgency since children lose eligibility, along with the program's 60 free books, once they turn five.