Earlier this week, Dolly Parton announced that she would be starting a new organization called My People Fund which will donate $1,000 per month to each family in Sevier County, TN who lost their home in the recent wildfire until they are “back on their feet”.
Sevier County is located on the eastern border of Tennessee and includes the cities of Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge (home of Dollywood) and Sevierville. This past week, a wildfire spread throughout the county, killing thirteen people, injuring 85 more and damaging or destroying an estimated 1,000 structures.
On Wednesday, Parton announced the formation of the My People Fund in a video:
On Saturday, Parton took the new venture farther by announcing that she will put on a telethon for the victims on December 13 in Nashville.
In a statement, she said “I know there are a lot of great events being planned to help the people of East Tennessee, however, I am planning a telethon to support the ‘My People Fund’ where 100% of the money will help those who lost their homes in the wildfire. I am planning on doing this on Dec. 13th in Nashville, Tennessee.”
Additional information on participants and stations carrying the telethon are expected soon.
