There’s nothing more heartwarming, especially around the holidays, than when you hear a story of one person helping another. And, when a celebrity uses his or her platform to raise awareness in support of an entire community, it’s a beautiful thing. When we were all struck by the recent news of the fire sweeping across the Great Smoky Mountains, it was shocking – and, tough to know that so many families would be displaced throughout the holiday season and beyond. I was thrilled when I recently read that Dolly Parton has stepped up to raise awareness and funds to help support the communities ravaged by wildfires.
Here’s what she had to say according to Knox News:
“As you may know by now, there have been terrible wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains, the same mountains where I grew up and where my people call home,” Dolly Parton wrote in a statement. “I have always believed that charity begins at home, and my home is someplace special. That’s why I’ve asked my Dollywood companies … to help me establish the ‘My People Fund.’ ”
Dolly and her companies have developed the #mypeoplefund to ensure that the families displaced from the recent fires will have support – it’s incredible! Here are the details, according to Knox News:
“The Dollywood Foundation will donate $1,000 a month for six months to each of the Sevier County families who lost their homes in the wildfires, the organization announced. While damage is still being assessed, several hundred families are currently without homes – lost to multiple wildfires that ravaged portions of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.”
“We wanted to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires,” Parton said. “I know it has been a trying time for my people, and this assistance will help them get back on their feet.”
In the midst of tragedy and trying times, it’s an awesome feeling to help people get back on their feet. You too can contribute to the #mypeoplefund by visiting www.dollywoodfoundation.org .
NOTE: At the time of this post, two juveniles been charged in connection with the deadly Tennessee wildfires that have killed 14 people and destroyed or damaged over 1,700 buildings, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
