Dolly Parton has always been a beacon of hope and generosity, and her recent $1 million donation to the Hurricane Helene relief efforts is yet another example of her compassion and love for people. On October 4th, the beloved country star announced her contribution to help those devastated by the massive hurricane, which has left communities across multiple states in dire need of support. In addition, her Dollywood theme park added another $1 million to the relief efforts, with the funds going directly to The Mountain Ways Foundation.
Parton’s connection to the region is personal, as she grew up in the eastern Tennessee mountains, an area close to many of the places affected by Hurricane Helene. At a press conference held alongside Walmart CEO John Furner, she spoke from the heart about the devastation and why helping meant so much to her.
“These are my people,” Parton shared. “I was born and raised right down the road, and to see this kind of devastation hit the mountains and the valleys I love is heartbreaking. But we’re here to mend these broken hearts and help these communities rebuild.”
Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented flooding and destruction to areas that never imagined being in its path, dumping trillions of gallons of water and leaving countless families displaced. At least 224 people have lost their lives, and as rescue operations continue, the death toll may rise. The impact of this disaster has been profound, but in true Dolly Parton fashion, she offered hope and encouragement.
“I know it’s easy for us to say, ‘Oh, things are going to get better’ when things are still really bad,” she acknowledged. “But we are with you. We love you, and we’re going to do our part to help things get better.”
Walmart, Sam’s Club, and the Walmart Foundation also stepped up their relief efforts, increasing their commitment from $6 million to $10 million. As Furner explained, Walmart is providing essential resources like showers and supplies for the many displaced by the storm.
This isn’t the first time Dolly Parton has helped disaster-stricken communities. Most recently, she donated to the Maui Fire Disaster Relief Fund following the tragic wildfires in Hawaii. Her charitable spirit continues to shine as she uses her platform to lift others up in times of need.
As Parton closed the press conference, she left the crowd with a message of resilience: “With God’s help and the help of all these good people, we’ll make it through this.”