Georgia Entertainment Scene
Georgia Entertainment Scene

Dolly Parton establishes fund to aid those affected by wildfires

Dolly Parton is extending aid to those affected in her hometown.

Credit: Melissa Ruggieri

Credit: Melissa Ruggieri

Dolly Parton is extending aid to those affected in her hometown.
By Melissa Ruggieri
Nov 30, 2016

BY MELISSA RUGGIERI/AJC Music Scene

The deadly wildfires in Gatlinburg have prompted Dolly Parton to provide assistance.

Parton, who grew up in East Tennessee and whose Dollywood theme park is in nearby Pigeon Forge, released a video Wednesday night to announce a fund spearheaded by The Dollywood Company and The Dollywood Foundation.

The “My People Fund” will provide $1,000 each month to Sevier County families who lost their homes in the fires, which have killed seven and caused injuries to dozens.

According to NBC News, more than 700 structures in Sevier County have been damaged or destroyed, about 300 of them in Gatlinburg,

"I've always believed charity begins at home and my home is some place special," Parton says in the video (watch below). "That's why I've asked my Dollywood Companies—including the Dollywood theme park, and DreamMore Resort; my dinner theater attractions including Dixie Stampede and Lumberjack Adventure; and my Dollywood Foundation—to help me establish the My People Fund.

“We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people and this assistance will help get them back on their feet.”

To contribute to the "My People Fund," visit dollywoodfoundation.org .

About the Author

Melissa Ruggieri has covered music and entertainment for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 2010 and created the Atlanta Music Scene blog. She's kept vampire hours for more than two decades and remembers when MTV was awesome.

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