Dolly Parton Donates $1 Million To Support Hurricane Helene Relief

Dolly Parton is stepping forward to help those affected by Hurricane Helene.

“I’m sure a lot of you are wondering where I’ve been,” Parton said in a Walmart parking lot in Newport, Tennessee, as part of a press conference (per Billboard). “Everybody’s saying, ‘Where’s Dolly?’ Well, I’ve been like everybody else, trying to absorb everything going on, trying to figure out all the best ways to do this.”

Parton is donating $1 million from her personal bank account to Hurricane Helene relief efforts and pledging an additional $1 million through her businesses, including Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, and the Dollywood Foundation.

The 9 To 5 singer has partnered with Walmart to donate more than $5 million to multiple charity organisations. The shopping giant had previously committed $6 million to hurricane relief efforts but announced at the press conference that it would pledge another $4 million.

“I am totally with you because I am part of you,” Parton continued (per Consequence Of Sound). “These are special people here; they’re my people. I feel like all people are my people, but everyone here grew up in the mountains just like I did, so of course, I have a close connection to them.

“I can’t stand to see anyone hurting, so I wanted to do what I could to help after these terrible floods. I hope we can all be a little light in the world for our friends, our neighbors [sic] — even strangers — during this dark time they are experiencing.”

In addition to the financial pledges, Dollywood has donated a semi-truck full of water, reusable and disposable masks for cleanup efforts and disposable protective clothing. Dollywood is also a drop-off location where people can donate cleanup supplies, clothing, hygiene items, and other personal necessities.

John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart US, said one of the things the company loves about Dolly is her “incredible heart and care for her community” before adding: “She reminds me of our associates who are always the first to jump to action when our communities need us. This time is no different, and we will continue to provide support until they have recovered.”

Dolly Parton isn’t the only one donating to Hurricane Helene relief efforts. Morgan Wallen has donated $500,000 to help the victims of the flooding disaster, Sturgill Simpson is putting on a show for the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, Miranda Lambert’s charity, MuttNation Foundation, donated $100,000 for animals affected by the hurricane, and all the publishing royalties from Eric Church’s new single, Darkest Hour (Helene Edit), will go to his home state of North Carolina as residents face the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene.

NEWS

Dolly Parton says she’s donating $1 million “from my own personal bank account,” towards Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

She adds that her various businesses and foundation are matching her personal donation with another $1 million. pic.twitter.com/Y3kp3QD7tO

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) October 4, 2024