Dolly Parton Continues Relief Efforts Following Smoky Mountain Wildfires

Dolly Parton

DOLLY PARTON and the DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION distributed the final payments from PARTON's "MY PEOPLE FUND" last week to SEVIER COUNTY, TENNESSEE families whose homes were deemed uninhabitable or were completely destroyed in last DECEMBER's SMOKY MOUNTAIN wildfires (NET NEWS 12/23). PARTON was personally on-hand at THE LECONTE CENTER to hand out the final distributions, which included an additional $4,000 per family, bringing each of the nearly-900 recipients' totals to $10,000 in funds as a hand-up to help start their rebuilding efforts following the fire.

"The 'MY PEOPLE FUND' has been a great success," said PARTON. "I want to thank my team, the DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION, my friends in the music business, and the thousands of people from all over the country who opened both their pocketbooks and their hearts to help us. Over the last five months, we've given nearly 900 families $5,000 to help them recover. Yesterday, we had our last distribution, and I went over to THE LECONTE CENTER to say thanks to all the volunteers and to help give out a few checks myself. We matched what they've received already with another $5,000 check. I know $10,000 can't solve everything, but I do hope the month will help them to dream again."

Additionally, PARTON and her team have launched the MOUNTAIN TOUGH RECOVERY TEAM initiative to continue providing support to the people of SEVIER COUNTY. MOUNTAIN TOUGH will assist individuals and families recovering from the wildfires by providing resources for the unmet needs of low-income families and individuals in GATLINBURG and the surrounding SEVIER COUNTY area to help restore the quality of life and provide for the long-term needs of those affected.

"We're still receiving month, so we aren't finished yet," added PARTON. "Recovery will take some time, so a new organization -- called MOUNTAIN TOUGH -- has been created to help our people get back on their feet for the next three years. We're giving at least $3 million to help this new organization begin the next chapter of our journey." Added DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION Pres. DAVID DOTSON, "MOUNTAIN TOUGH will help pick up where the 'MY PEOPLE FUND' left off. They will be staffed with case managers who will work to identify the immediate needs of residents, and our funds will be used to address those needs. For example, it may help with transportation so someone can continue to be employed, or it may help with medicine for conditions caused by the fire. The case managers will coordinate with county agencies to ensure needed assistance is not duplicated and achieves its maximum impact." For more information about the MOUNTAIN TOUGH RECOVERY TEAM, visit the website here.

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