Dollywood Foundation Raises Nearly $9 Million for My People Fund

‘Tis the season for giving back to those in need, especially to the victims of the horrific Sevier County wildfires that blazed through the East Tennessee area earlier this month. Dolly Parton and her many friends decided to take the initiative to lend a hand to the folks who lost it all, and she did a mighty fine job to say the least in the announced earnings for the cause.

Through the combination of the Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon and other various methods of donating, the Dollywood Foundation has raised almost $9 million for the people affected by the devastation in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have donated from all over the country and to my friends who donated their time, their talent, and money for My People,” Parton explained. “The response has been so overwhelming that we haven’t been able to count all of the donations yet; right now, in total, we have raised about $9 million dollars for the folks who lost everything in Sevier County.”

While the scheduled events designed to specifically raise funds to help out the good cause, the numbers will keep growing as donation options will be open and available to the public until the mailed gifts are counted and the star-studded telethon featuring huge gifts from Kenny Chesney and Taylor Swift as well as appearances by Chris Stapleton, Reba, and more is re-aired in the next five days.

Parton and her My People Fund created by the Dollywood Foundation has promised to give back $1000 a month to families who lost everything in the fires, in order to get them back on their feet and in a safe environment to thrive after the losses.

Those who are interested in donating to the My People Fund can head over to dollywoodfoundation.org to find out more details on how to contribute.