Dolly Parton announces fund for Sevier County fire victims

PIGEON FORGE, Tennessee (WDEF) – Dolly Parton announces a new fund for fire victims in Sevier County through The Dollywood Company and The Dollywood Foundation.

She calls it the “My People Fund.”

The goal is to provide $1000 each month to families who lost their homes.

The last official count had 700 homes damaged by the fires.

The announcement came during Dolly’s NBC special “Christmas of Many Colors.”

“I’ve always believed charity begins at home and my home is some place special,” Parton explained. “That’s why I’ve asked my Dollywood Companies—including the Dollywood theme park, and DreamMore Resort; my dinner theater attractions including Dixie Stampede and Lumberjack Adventure; and my Dollywood Foundation—to help me establish the My People Fund.

“We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people and this assistance will help get them back on their feet.”

Anyone who would like to contribute to the My People Fund may visit dollywoodfoundation.org.

They will announce more about the program on Friday.

Dollywood, itself, escaped serious damage from the fires, but did lose some guest cabins.

The theme park will reopen on Friday at 2PM with limited lodging.

#PigeonForge evacuations have been lifted. The majority of Pigeon Forge businesses are open. Thank you for all of the prayers & concern!

— Pigeon Forge, TN (@My_PigeonForge) November 29, 2016