DOLLY PARTON DIDN’T JUST SING ABOUT HOPE — SHE SHOWED UP FOR FAMILIES WHO HAD LOST EVERYTHING
After the devastating 2016 wildfires in Gatlinburg and surrounding areas of Tennessee destroyed homes and businesses and displaced thousands of people, Dolly Parton stepped forward to help families in her home region.
Through the My People Fund, created by The Dollywood Foundation, eligible families affected by the fires received $1,000 per month for six months to help with immediate living expenses and recovery.
Then came a moment many families would never forget.
When Dolly arrived for the final distribution, families reportedly expected to receive their final $1,000 payment.
Instead, Dolly announced that each participating family would receive an additional $5,000, bringing the total direct ᴀssistance to $10,000 per family.
The effort ultimately distributed more than $9 million to families affected by the disaster.
For people who had suddenly lost homes, possessions and a sense of stability, the ᴀssistance meant more than a financial payment.
It represented compᴀssion from someone who understood the community and wanted to help people rebuild.
Dolly had spent decades singing about hope, kindness and helping others.
After the Gatlinburg fires, she put those ideas into action.
For the families who received help, the message was simple: even after a devastating disaster, they had not been forgotten.
Source: Dollywood Foundation – My People Fund
