Dolly Parton Steps Up: Donates $1 Million for Hurricane Helene Relief
In a heartfelt announcement, Dolly Parton declared her commitment to donate more than $1 million to aid those affected by Hurricane Helene. Speaking at a Walmart in Newport, Tennessee, on Friday, she expressed her deep connection to the region. “This is my home,” Parton stated, as reported by CNN. “This is a time for me to step up again, for all of us to step up and do what we can.”
Parton made this announcement during an event focused on generating funds for relief efforts in the wake of the hurricane’s devastating impact. Acknowledging the extensive destruction and displacement caused by the storm, she emphasized her desire to contribute to the recovery.
In tandem with Parton’s efforts, Walmart’s U.S. president and CEO, John Furner, revealed that the retail giant, along with Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, would contribute $10 million to support hurricane relief across the affected states.
Various entities within Parton’s enterprise, including Dollywood Parks & Resorts, The Dollywood Foundation, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage, are collaborating with Walmart to deliver flood relief to the Appalachian region.
Specifically, Parton has designated $1 million to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a charity committed to providing immediate support to those impacted by the hurricane. Additionally, her East Tennessee-based businesses are uniting with The Dollywood Foundation to match her contribution to Mountain Ways with another $1 million donation.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Parton remarked, “Who knew, in our little part of the country here – where I was born and raised, just right down the road – that we would have this kind of devastation?” She shared her emotional connection to the land, stating, “These are my mountains, these are my valleys, these are my rivers… these are my people, and this is my home.”
The country music legend conveyed her sorrow for the victims of Hurricane Helene, highlighting her personal ties to the community, as many of her relatives reside in the area. “It was devastating, not just because it was my family, but because all these people feel like my people,” she lamented. “We all feel related, and we are in some sort of way. So it just devastated me just to know that we had to suffer like that.”
