Dolly Parton, a native of Appalachia, announced on Friday that she will be donating $1 million to assist in the relief efforts for Hurricane Helene. The funds will be directed to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on providing immediate aid to victims affected by the hurricane’s flooding.
“These are special people here; they’re my people,” Parton stated while making the announcement at a Walmart in Newport, Tennessee. She expressed her deep connection to the community, noting, “I feel like all people are my people, but everyone here grew up in the mountains just like I did. I can’t stand to see anyone hurting, so I wanted to do what I could to help after these terrible floods.”
Parton, who hails from a poor family in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, often reflects on her Appalachian roots in her music, with songs like “Smoky Mountain Memories” and “My Tennessee Mountain Home” highlighting her upbringing.
During the event, Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner revealed that Walmart, alongside Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, will contribute a total of $10 million to hurricane relief efforts in the impacted states. Additionally, Parton’s businesses, including Dollywood Parks & Resorts and The Dollywood Foundation, will match her donation with another $1 million for the Mountain Ways Foundation.
The devastating impact of Hurricane Helene has been significant, with at least 225 confirmed fatalities in the Southeast, and officials anticipate that the death toll may rise as recovery efforts progress. Satellite images have revealed extensive damage across North Carolina. President Biden commented Friday that the rebuilding efforts will require “billions of dollars.”
Parton expressed her hope that her contributions will motivate others to provide support during this challenging time. “I hope we can all be a little bit of light in the world for our friends, our neighbors — even strangers — during this dark time they are experiencing.”