There are some people whose work becomes woven into the lives of millions. Dolly Parton was one of them.

For generations, Dolly brought people together through her music, generosity and unmistakable spirit. For millions of children, she also opened the door to a lifelong love of reading.

In 1995, Dolly created the Imagination Library in her hometown, inspired by her belief that every child should have a full bookshelf. What began locally grew into Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, reaching children around the world.

Here in Brantford and Brant County, Kids Can Fly is proud to carry that work forward. More than 1,500 local children now receive a free, age-appropriate book in the mail every month.

For a child, it’s a book arriving just for them. For a family, it can become a bedtime story read again and again. And every one of those books began with Dolly.

Honouring Dolly

Her family has asked for donations to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in lieu of flowers.

Those wishing to honour Dolly here at home can make a donation to Kids Can Fly. Your gift will help more local children experience the joy of reading.

DONATE IN DOLLY’S MEMORY

“You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children.”

— Dolly Parton

Celebrating Another Year of Roots of Empathy

On June 18, Kids Can Fly was proud to celebrate another incredible year of the Roots of Empathy program with our annual Baby Celebration.

During the 2025–2026 school year, Kids Can Fly helped facilitate 14 Roots of Empathy programs in classrooms across the Grand Erie District School Board and the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.

Thanks to the generosity of 13 dedicated mothers and 14 amazing babies—including one mother with twin baby girls who participated in two classrooms—hundreds of students experienced firsthand the power of empathy, compassion, and human connection.

Learning Through Connection

Throughout the school year, babies visited their classroom families once a month, giving students the opportunity to observe their growth and development while learning to recognize emotions, build healthy relationships, and understand the importance of caring for one another.

Thank You

Our Baby Celebration was an opportunity to recognize the families who generously shared their babies with local students and to thank the instructors, educators, and school communities who made this year’s programs possible.

To every mom, baby, instructor, teacher, and school partner: thank you for helping nurture a generation of children who lead with kindness, understanding, and empathy. Together, you’re creating classrooms—and communities—where every child has the opportunity to grow with compassion.

Leadership Transition

After four years with Kids Can Fly, Executive Director Becca McLellan will be leaving the organization on July 31, 2026, to pursue new opportunities. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Becca for her leadership, dedication, and commitment to Kids Can Fly, and wish her every success in the future.

To ensure continuity during this leadership transition, Shannon Simpson-Peeling has been appointed Interim Executive Director. Shannon will oversee the organization while the Board of Directors recruits a permanent Executive Director.

On Saturday, June 21, we held the draw for the Kids Can Fly Motorcycle Raffle, and we’re thrilled to announce that Bill M. is the lucky winner of the beautiful 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Bob!

Congratulations, Bill! 🎉 We hope you enjoy every mile on your incredible new ride.

More Than a Motorcycle

This fundraiser was about so much more than giving away an amazing motorcycle—it was about bringing our community together to support children and families.

Every ticket purchased helps Kids Can Fly continue to provide programs that promote early learning, literacy, family well-being, and healthy child development throughout Brantford-Brant.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the raffle by:

• Purchasing tickets
• Sharing our campaign
• Volunteering their time
• Encouraging friends and family to participate

Your generosity will have a lasting impact on the children and families we serve.

Thank You to Our Presenting Sponsor

A very special thank you goes to A.B.A.T.E. Ontario for their extraordinary generosity in sponsoring the motorcycle and making this fundraiser possible.

Their partnership and commitment to our community helped turn this first-ever Kids Can Fly Motorcycle Raffle into a tremendous success, raising $9,400 to support local children and families.

Thank You to Our Ticket-Selling Partners

We would also like to recognize our outstanding ticket-selling partners:

• Strodes BBQ & Deli
• Keighley Jewellers
• Huzul Meats
• Brantford Farmers’ Market

Thank you for welcoming us into your businesses, helping us connect with the community, and encouraging your customers to support Kids Can Fly. Your enthusiasm and generosity played a significant role in the success of this campaign.

Together, We’re Helping Children Soar

To everyone who helped make this fundraiser such a memorable event—thank you.

We are truly fortunate to be part of a community that continually steps up to support local children and families. Together, we’re helping children soar and creating brighter futures, one child at a time.

From all of us at Kids Can Fly, thank you for making a difference. 💙