INTERNEWSTIMES.COM – Country music legend Dolly Parton and retail giant Walmart have teamed up to provide much-needed relief to communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. The two entities announced a combined $12 million donation to support recovery efforts in the hardest-hit areas.
Parton, known for her philanthropic endeavors, pledged a personal donation of $1 million, which was matched by her Tennessee-based businesses, including Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show. This generous contribution will be directed to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting those affected by the devastating floods in East Tennessee.
“These are special people here; they’re my people,” Parton shared at a press event in Newport. “I can’t stand to see anyone hurting, so I wanted to do what I could to help after these terrible floods.”
Beyond financial aid, Dollywood has partnered with Coca-Cola to deliver water supplies and is also serving as a donation drop-off location for essential recovery supplies like buckets, tarps, cleaning materials, and personal hygiene products.
Walmart, recognizing the widespread impact of the hurricane, announced a $10 million donation to support recovery efforts across Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.
“These aren’t just places where we have stores. These are communities where we work and live, and our hearts are broken for our friends and neighbors,” said Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner. “This is one of the most widespread and destructive storms I’ve seen in my 31 years with Walmart.”
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall last week, has left a trail of destruction across Appalachia and the Southeast. Over 200 people have lost their lives in what is considered one of the deadliest storms to hit the United States in recent history. Millions of homes and businesses are without power, and catastrophic flooding has damaged hundreds of roads and bridges.
The combined efforts of Dolly Parton and Walmart offer a beacon of hope to communities struggling to rebuild their lives. The donations will provide vital resources to help families and businesses recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. (Red)
