Spotlight On Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountains
Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund

About Tennessee Wildfires
On Nov. 28, devastating wildfires burned some 17,000 acres in the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The fires also affected parts
of Gatlinburg and Sevier County, TN. Sadly, 14 people lost their
lives in these terrible fires, and over 100 confirmed injuries were
reported. Over 14,000 people were evacuated during the fires which
damaged or destroyed more than 1,700 structures (homes, businesses
and churches). In Gatlinburg alone, officials estimate the wildfires
caused more than $500 million in damage.
Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People
Fund
Dolly Parton and a host of artists and celebrities took to the
airwaves during Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People
Fund.
They had one goal in mind, to raise funds for the victims of the
Tennessee wildfires. The three-hour star-studded event was packed
with beautiful performances, emotional stories and a collective
message of hope.
Viewers pledged their support by calling, texting and going
online to DollywoodFoundation.org.
The night's performances included songs by Dolly Parton, Kenny
Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, Alison
Krauss, Michael W. Smith, Chris Janson, Big & Rich, LOCASH,
Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Cyndi Lauper, Don
McLean, Amy Grant, Alabama, Aaron Lewis and Rhonda Vincent.
The heroic efforts of the first responders were celebrated during
the live telecast. Also, viewers were reminded of Sevier County's
world-famous hospitality and renowned entertainment venues ready and
waiting for them in East Tennessee. Dolly encouraged people to visit
Sevier County and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady
Crissy Haslam made a special appearance, and several celebrities
greeted viewers in heartfelt video messages including Katy Perry,
Carrie Underwood, Larry King, Steve Harvey, Good Morning America's
Robin Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, and Today Show's Willie Geist.
Dolly shared her hosting duties with friends HLN's Robin Meade,
GAC's Suzanne Alexander and Nan Kelly, The Bobby Bones Show's Bobby
Bones, SiriusXM's Storme Warren, Crook & Chase hosts Lorianne
Crook and Charlie Chase, NASH Nights LIVE's Shaun Parr and Elaina D.
Smith, and TuneIn Country Roads' Kelly Sutton.
Celebrities donating their time to answer phones included: Paula
Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, Chrisley Knows Best cast members
Todd, Julie and Savannah, Moonshiners' cast members Mark and Digger,
Nashville's Charles Esten, cast members of Dolly Parton's Christmas
of Many Colors, country hit-makers Chris & Morgane Stapleton,
Terri Clark, Mark Wills, Lee Greenwood, Larry Gatlin, T.G. Sheppard,
Highway 101's Paulette Carlson, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell,
Kristian Bush, Tim Rushlow, T. Graham Brown, Dolly's nieces Rebecca
Seaver and Danielle Parton, bluegrass hitmakers Lorraine Jordan and
Darrin Vincent, comedian Henry Cho, KC of KC and the Sunshine Band,
hot new country artists Brett Young, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn,
Danielle Bradbury, Lucas Hoge, Denny Strickland, songwriter Becky
Hobbs, and members of the Tennessee Titans.
Nearly $500,000 of donations were committed before the Smoky
Mountains Rise telethon began. The ACM donated $100,000 to the fund,
with Taylor Swift matching the amount, while the CMA donated
$125,000 accompanied by a matching donation by East Tennessean Kenny
Chesney.
Star-Studded Telethon Helps Raise Nearly $9 Million, So
Far
Millions watched the star-studded Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit
for the My People Fund telethon and nearly $9 million has been
raised, so far!
The telethon, broadcast on GAC, AXS-TV, RFD and The Heartland
Network Tuesday, received huge donations from music stars like
Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Paul
Simon and Dierks Bentley but also from families across the country
who just wanted to give the people of Dolly's home area a hand up in
the tragic wildfires.
"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, talent and money for My People," Dolly 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."
The total amount raised is expected to rise as mail donations are
counted and the telethon is rebroadcast to new audiences over the
next five days.
Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to
the My People Fund may visit dollywoodfoundation.org.
For those wishing to send donations via mail, those contributions
should be sent to:
My People Fund, c/o Dollywood Foundation 111 Dollywood
Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Donations are also being accepted by texting DOLLY to 501501 for
a onetime $10 donation or DOLLY25 to 501501 for a onetime $25
donation. Messaging and data rates will apply.
More than 1300 families have been displaced due to the wildfires
which spread across Parton's home area of Sevier County, Tennessee
in late November. Dolly established the My People Fund to provide
$1000 each month for six months to every family who lost their
primary residence.
Artists who donated their performances to the effort include:
Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Stapleton, Reba
McEntire, Alison Krauss, Michael W. Smith, Chris Janson, Big &
Rich, LOCASH, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Cyndi
Lauper, Don McLean, Amy Grant, Alabama, Aaron Lewis and Rhonda
Vincent.
Dolly hosted the overall telethon with friends HLN's Robin Meade,
GAC's Suzanne Alexander and Nan Kelly, The Bobby Bones Show's Bobby
Bones, SiriusXM's Storme Warren, Crook & Chase hosts Lorriane
Crook and Charlie Chase, Nash Night LIVE's Shaun Parr and Elaina D.
Smith, and TuneIn Country Roads' Kelly Sutton will share hosting
duties throughout the three-hour broadcast.
Celebrities also donated their time to answer phones including:
Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie, Chrisley Knows Best cast
members Todd, Julie and Savannah, Moonshiners' cast members Mark and
Digger, Nashville's Charles Esten, cast members of Dolly Parton's
Christmas of Many Colors, country hit-makers Chris & Morgane
Stapleton, Mark Wills, Lee Greenwood, Larry and Rudy Gatlin, TG
Sheppard, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell, Kristian Bush, Tim Rushlow,
T. Graham Brown, Dolly's nieces Rebecca Seaver and Danielle Parton,
bluegrass hit makers Lorraine Jordan and Darrin Vincent, comedian
Henry Cho, KC of KC & The Sunshine Band, hot new country artists
Brett Young, Cassadee Pope, RaeLynn, Danielle Bradbury, Lucas Hoge,
Denny Strickland, songwriter Becky Hobbs, Jason Crabb and members of
the Tennessee Titans.
Several other celebrities shared special video messages during
the telethon including: Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Larry King,
Steve Harvey, Good Morning America's Robin Roberts, Kiefer
Sutherland, and Today Show's Willie Geist.
The My People Fund will provide $1000 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.
A Special Message From Dollywood Days after
Dolly announced the creation of the My People Fund, the program
already has raised millions for Sevier County families whose homes
are uninhabitable or were destroyed in the recent Smoky Mountain
wildfires. As the recovery begins, the need, however, is much
greater..
Dolly has pledged to provide $1000 each month for six months to
give these families the assistance they need to get back on their
feet. You can help by donating at dollywoodfoundation.org. My
People Fund
The Dollywood Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and 100% of
your donation will go directly to the families affected by the
wildfires.
A tax deductible donation can be mailed to:
The Dollywood Foundation My People Fund 111 Dollywood
Lane Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Please include "My People Fund" on the memo line and include a
return address for a tax receipt.
About My People Fund
The My People Fund provides $1000 each month for up to six months
to Sevier County families who lost their homes in the wildfires.
Anyone can donate to the My People Fund online or by mail. 100% of
your donation will go directly to the families affected by the
wildfires. More Ways To Help
In addition to donating to My People Fund, there are more ways
you can help the people affected. To inquire about donating items
or to receive donated items, please call 1-866-586-4483 or
865-430-7384.
WBIR has compiled a complete list of organizations and businesses
that are offering assistance to those affected by these
wildfires.
Help raise awareness by sharing My People Fund across your social
media network using #MyPeopleFund #SomePlaceSpecial. Also, plan a
visit to the Great Smoky Mountains. While our residents and business
owners are rebuilding there is still a lot to see and do throughout
the area.
Sponsors:
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dolly Parton's Lumberjack
Adventure Pirates Voyage The Dollywood Company The
Dollywood Foundation A very special thanks to the following
supporting partners:
Blalock Companies CoreCivic Miley Cyrus' Happy Hippie
Foundation Tanger Outlets Verizon
My People Fund: FAQS Applicants:
When can I apply for assistance? The CARE MORE Assistance
Center located at LeConte Center (2986 Teaster Lane, Pigeon Forge,
TN 37863).
When will I receive my check? Applications will be processed
on site and you will receive it the day of your visit.
Will you have an interpreter at the CARE MORE Assistance
Center? We will have a Spanish/English interpreter available.
What do I need to bring with me to the CARE MORE Assistance
Center? All you will need to bring is a photo ID and proof of
residence such as a utility or phone bill. (If your photo ID
includes your home address nothing further is required)
Does my whole family need to come to the CARE MORE Assistance
Center? No, only the primary contact person of the residence is
required.
How will I get updates on this process over the 6 month
period? We will send email newsletters, post to social media and
if needed, call via phone. We will also message updates through TV,
newspaper and radio.
If I move over the 6 month period, how can I keep my address up
to date?
Please email any updates to mypeoplefund@dollyfoundation.org
or call 865-428-9606.
Can you also update my child's Imagination Library address so we
keep receiving books? Yes, as part of the application process, we
can enroll or update children's addresses in our system.
Do I need to be the homeowner or property owner to receive a
check? You are not required to be the homeowner, but you must
have been actively renting and living in the property as a resident
at the time of the fire.
Can I get assistance if my rental cabin was a total loss? No,
only families who rented or resided in a home will be eligible to
receive assistance.
What number can I call with questions? You can call the
Dollywood call center at 1-800-Dollywood or locally at
865-428-9488.
I do not have a checking account, how can I cash my assistance
check? The Dollywood Foundation worked with our banking partner,
Citizens National Bank, to allow any recipient of My People Fund
checks to cash them with only a photo ID at any Sevier County
branch. Click here to find a branch near you. Donors:
How much of my donation goes to the families? 100% of your
donation will go directly to the families who lost their home in the
wildfires.
I would like to make a large donation, is there a special process
for this? Yes, for any donation over $10,000, please call
865-428-9608 or email us at mypeoplefund@dollywoodfoundation.org
Is my donation tax deductible? Yes, All donations are made to
The Dollywood Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
organization (EIN 62-1348105).
MYPEOPLEFUND@DOLLYWOODFOUNDATION.ORG CALL
US NOW865-428-9488 .
Thanks For The Music Dolly! |