Donations to the fund continue as totals climb to $9.3 million
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (December 22, 2016)
– In a little more than two weeks after the wildfires that spread
across Dolly Parton’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton and
the Dollywood Foundation launched the distribution of assistance from
the My People Fund. During the four day cash distribution, 884 families
received their initial support payments.
“It’s a blessing during this holiday season that we are able to help
as many families as we have so far,” Parton said. “We know there are
more families out there who need our help and we encourage them to be in
contact with us before our January distribution.”
The Dollywood Foundation My People Fund provides $1,000 each month to
Sevier County families whose homes are uninhabitable or were completely
destroyed in the recent Smoky Mountain wildfires. Any family who lost
their primary residence (renters and homeowners) due to the wildfires in
Sevier County will be eligible. A pre-application for those affected is
available at dollywoodfoundation.org.
Millions of people watched Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon
on Tuesday, December 13 on Great American Country, AXS-TV, RFD-TV and
The Heartland Network and during several rebroadcasts throughout the
last week. As a result, donations continued to roll in and thanks to
generous people from coast to coast and Parton’s friends, the total
amount raised has climbed to $9.3 million.
“As, Dolly said, the response has been overwhelming,” David Dotson,
Dollywood Foundation President said. “We will distribute all $9.3
million to the families affected. That will insure all of the money
raised will go to where Dolly promised it would go.”
The next distribution is January 26 and 27, 2017 at the LeConte Events Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
About the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund:
More than 1,300 families have been displaced due to the wildfires
which spread across Parton’s home area of Sevier County, Tennessee in
late November. The entertainment icon established the Dollywood
Foundation My People Fund to provide $1,000 each month for six months to
every family who lost their primary residence.
About Smoky Mountains Rise:
Smoky Mountains Rise was a three-hour telethon broadcast on Tuesday,
Dec. 13 to raise money for the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund to
benefit those affected by the Sevier County, Tennessee wildfires. Smoky
Mountains Rise was executive produced by Dolly Parton, Danny Nozell,
Kirt Webster, Pete Owens and Scott Durand. Produced by Edie Hoback,
Jeremy Westby, Shanna Strassberg, Suzzane Skinner, Nic Dugger and
Shantel Klinger.
About The Dollywood Company:
A highly-awarded and widely-recognized leader in the amusement
industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 150-acre Dollywood theme
park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; Dollywood’s DreamMore
Resort; and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins. As unique as its namesake
and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner,
the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of nearly 30 Golden
Ticket Awards; and recipient of 25 Brass Ring Awards for Live
Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world). In 2014,
Dollywood was named a top three US theme park by USA Today and TripAdvisor
recognized Dollywood as a top 20 worldwide theme park in 2015.
Dollywood is open nine months a year (late March through early January)
and offers rides and attractions, shows, and a dozen crafters authentic
to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by
the Travel Channel as one of the country’s most beautiful waterparks and
named 2009’s Must-See Waterpark by the International Association of
Amusement Parks & Attractions, operates from Memorial Day to Labor
Day. The 300-room Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort provides guests
spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to
Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Dollywood’s Smoky
Mountain Cabins offers luxurious cabin accommodations overlooking
Dollywood. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.