Dolly Parton announces $1m donation to Hurricane Helene recovery

Dolly Parton, the beloved country music star, has made headlines with her generous pledge of one million dollars to assist in the recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. This announcement was made during a heartfelt event in her home state of Tennessee, where the 78-year-old singer expressed her commitment to helping those in need. She stated, 'This money will come from my own bank account,' highlighting her personal investment in the recovery process. In addition to her own donation, Parton revealed that her local business ventures, including the popular Dollywood amusement park, would also contribute the same amount to the Mountain Ways Foundation. This organization is dedicated to providing aid to individuals and families affected by the severe flooding that resulted from the hurricane. During her speech, Dolly even took a moment to sing a few lines from a song she created called 'Helene,' which was inspired by her classic hit 'Jolene. ' The impact of Hurricane Helene has been catastrophic, with at least 225 lives lost due to the storm's fury. The hurricane struck the southeastern United States in late September, making landfall as a category four hurricane. It wreaked havoc on communities, damaging homes and infrastructure, causing flash floods, and leaving millions without power. As of Saturday, over half a million properties were still without electricity, and the government has warned that the cleanup and recovery efforts could take years. While North Carolina suffered the most fatalities, the storm's reach extended to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. At a news conference held outside a Walmart store in Newport, Tennessee, Parton shared her deep connection to the affected area, stating, 'This is my home. ' She expressed her gratitude for the blessings in her life and emphasized her desire to give back to the community that has supported her throughout her career. 'I want to feel like I'm doing my part,' she said, reflecting on her commitment to helping those in need. Parton also revealed that many of her relatives reside in the impacted region, and she was heartbroken by the devastation. 'I was heartbroken like everybody else, and just amazed and devastated by it,' she said. 'All these people feel like my people. ' The storm has claimed the lives of eleven individuals in Tennessee, with more still unaccounted for. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left many communities in disarray, with damaged structures and widespread flooding. A mobile home and a car were found along the Swannanoa River, illustrating the extent of the destruction caused by the storm. When asked about her message to the victims, Parton responded with compassion, saying, 'I know it's easy for us to say, 'oh, things are going to get better' when things are still really bad. ' She wanted to convey her support and love to those affected, stating, 'All we can say is that we are with you, that we love you, we hope that things get better real soon - and we're going to do our part to try and make that possible. ' In conjunction with Parton's announcement, Walmart also revealed that it would increase its recovery funding to ten million dollars. The CEO of Walmart, John Furner, emphasized the importance of supporting the communities where they operate, stating, 'These aren’t just places where we have stores. These are communities where we work and live. ' He praised Dolly Parton as 'a true American legend,' recognizing her contributions not only to music and art but also to her philanthropic efforts. Dolly Parton has a long history of charitable giving, having previously made significant donations in response to various disasters. In 2016, she contributed to families affected by wildfires in Tennessee, and in 2020, she also provided assistance during other crises. Dolly's unwavering commitment to helping those in need showcases her deep-rooted compassion and dedication to her community.