Dolly Parton ‘My People Fund’ for Tennessee Wildfire Relief

Developing today: Dolly Parton, the legendary country music star and native of the Great Smoky Mountains, has released a video statement identifying assistance for the families in her home community in eastern Tennessee who have lost their homes this week in the wildfires that consumed the area after Thanksgiving.

Creating a fund through the Dollywood Companies, she hopes to provide $1,000 per month for six months to each family that’s been affected. Called the “My People Fund”, its efforts to help the families of East Tennessee mirror Parton’s traditional philanthropic focus.

Saying lovingly, “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,” Parton went on to explain how others could help. The singer, who noted that she believes charity begins at home, identified how others can also help and make monetary donations for the wildfire relief at dollywoodfoundation.org.