This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.
Dolly Parton's vast charity has arrived to aid people impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The Sevierville, Tennessee, native announced a partnership with Walmart to assist with relief efforts after the storm killed hundreds and left millions of homes and businesses without power throughout Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
Parton announced a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing immediate assistance to Hurricane Helene flood victims. In addition, Parton's East Tennessee businesses — Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton's Stampede and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show — as well as the Dollywood Foundation are combining efforts and have pledged to match her donation to Mountain Ways with a $1 million contribution of their own.
Parton announced her charity partnership at the Walmart Supercenter in Newport, Tennessee's Newport Town Center.
“I just want you to know that I am totally with you because I am part of you. I love you,” Parton told a crowd of over 250 community members gathered in the parking lot. “I look around and I think, these are my mountains, these are my valleys, these are my rivers flowing like a stream. These are my people. These mountain-colored rainbows, these are my people, and this is my home.”
Parton said she couldn’t believe the devastation Helene caused in the region where she grew up, recalling she used to go to the dentist in Newport as child.
“Helene, Helene, Helene, you came in here and broke us all apart,” Parton sang as a rendition of her classic song, “Jolene.” “Helene, Helene, Helene, we're all here to mend these broken hearts.”
During the event, U.S. President and CEO of Walmart John Furner announced that the company, including Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation, would increase its earlier commitment of $6 million up to a $10 million donation to hurricane relief efforts across the affected states.
"One of the things we love most about Dolly as a partner is her incredible heart and care for her community," said Furner. "She reminds me of our associates who are always the first to jump to action when our communities need us. This time is no different, and we will continue to provide support until they have recovered."
'These are my people':How Dollywood is helping with Helene flood relief, with Dolly Parton leading the way
Newport Walmart store manager Matthew Underwood has seen his team and community come together amid the Helene recovery. He’s grateful to have the support of Furner and Parton.
“I've been in the military, and I've seen servant leadership. I've seen leaders talk servant leadership, but they're doing it at their level," Underwood said of Furner and Parton. “I think it's a great opportunity for them to use their voice and use their influence to be able to bring that light together and just be so impactful.”
One week ago, downtown Newport was evacuated after the Walters Dam was determined to be at risk of "catastrophic" failure, though authorities later determined it was a false alarm.
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Other Dollywood contributions
Dollywood’s $1 million donation will go toward flood relief assistance provided by Mountain Ways Foundation. Dollywood President Eugene Naughton acted to quickly to partner with the organization.
“They're active and already making a difference in Tennessee. So, for me, it made complete sense. No time to wait six months to develop a new nonprofit,” he told Knox News. “They're feeding about 2,000 people a day, and I felt like we could scale them up and really go out under their nonprofit umbrella and get to work.”
Dollywood's contributions are in addition to already working with its sponsorship partner Coca-Cola to donate a semitruck full of water for distribution in Cocke County, Tennessee. Additionally, Dollywood donated 60,000 reusable masks, 30,000 disposable protective garments and 2.5 million disposable masks for cleanup efforts across East Tennessee. It also donated disposable serving ware and utensils for the thousands of meals that Mountain Ways is distributing.
In conjunction with donation centers established by the city of Pigeon Forge, the Dollywood theme park will also become a donation drop-off location for those wishing to provide items for the cleanup, including buckets with lids, tarps, shovels, rakes, trash bags, work gloves, masks, cleaning wipes, diapers, baby formula and food, can openers, first aid supplies, personal hygiene items, kitty litter, new socks and underwear, clean towels and blankets, laundry detergent, pet food and hand sanitizer. Items may be donated at the designated drop-off point at the front gate area of the park.
"This beautiful region, which we all love so much, has an extreme challenge ahead of it," Naughton said. "And while it may be quite daunting right now, we know the spirit of the people in this region will help them overcome what faces them in the days ahead."
Following Parton’s example by leading with the heart, Dollywood launched a new program earlier this called “Love Shares.” The program will increase the company’s community involvement and philanthropic work, Naughton said.
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How is Parton's Dollywood home of Pigeon Forge faring?
Minimal flooding occurred in Pigeon Forge due to Hurricane Helene, according to the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce. Sevier County spokesperson Tyler Basler reported there were no significant issues on the county's roads.
Nearby, the Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau reported Hurricane Helene impacted no area businesses.
However, parts of Interstates 26 and 40 are shut down, along with other regional road closures closer to East Tennessee's North Carolina border.
East Tennessee post-Helene
President Joe Biden approved federal disaster assistance for Tennessee's Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties to supplement response efforts due to Helene's damage causing emergency conditions, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced.
Direct federal assistance and evacuation and shelter support reimbursement are also available for Cocke, Hawkins, and Washington Counties.
This follows Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signing an executive order requesting a Major Disaster Declaration from FEMA for victims of property damage and evacuation orders related to severe weather and flooding events.
FEMA is authorized to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and provide appropriate assistance to save lives and protect property.
Parton's notable recent charitable giving
Dolly Parton has a long track record of giving back, including through the Dollywood Foundation and the Imagination Library. In recent years, she has contributed to relief efforts in Tennessee after natural disasters.
"I just go wherever my heart leads me," Parton told Knox News earlier this year when discussing her generosity. "If I feel a need to do something, if I feel that certain kind of tugging, knowing that I should do this or do that, I just go."
The My People Fund, through the Dollywood Foundation, donated more than $12 million to recovery efforts after wildfires ravaged Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in 2016. The fund provided $1,000-$10,000 checks to displaced families monthly for six months; the rest was donated to other wildfire relief needs. Much of the money was raised during a telethon for those impacted.
In April 2020, Parton's million-dollar donation to Vanderbilt University Medical Center ultimately helped fund the production of a coronavirus vaccine by Moderna.
Parton donated $700,000 to United Way of Humphreys County to help residents affected by the catastrophic flooding in Middle Tennessee in 2021.
More ways to help people affected by East Tennessee flooding
According to Tennessee Emergency Management Agency director Patrick Sheehan, donating cash to reputable organizations is one of the best ways to help people affected by floods get what they need.
Organizations to consider:
You can check out the complete list of organizations, Knoxville-area groups and businesses accepting donations here.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email [email protected]. On X, formerly known as Twitter, he's@dturner1208.