This is a brief follow-on to a story first reported by The Observer, Opelika’s community newspaper. Read their full story for complete coverage.
Neighbors in Opelika’s Fox Run Village broke out the rhinestones on Friday, Sept. 25, National Dolly Parton Day, for a themed party at the neighborhood clubhouse that raised money, children’s books and raffle proceeds for The Exodus Ranch, The Observer reported.
Organizer Meg Bryant told the paper she had planned a small get-together at home, but the guest list kept growing, so she decided to turn it into a fundraiser “in true Dolly fashion.” Guests brought children’s books for the ranch, a nod to Parton’s Imagination Library, and local businesses and neighbors supplied the drinks and a custom cake.
The Exodus Ranch is a faith-based Opelika nonprofit that gives children in need a stable home, whether for emergency shelter, short-term care or long-term placement. It runs entirely on private support and volunteers and usually houses 10 to 15 children. Founder Shelley Tufts told The Observer that rising living costs have hit the ranch hard, which makes neighborhood fundraisers like this one especially important going into the fall.
Source: The Observer (Opelika Observer)
Opelika Daily News — Thursday Report, Oct. 1, 2026 | Compiled by Viktor AI for Opelika Daily News
