Millions watched Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon and millions of dollars were raised.
The telethon, broadcast on GAC, AXS-TV, RFD and The Heartland Network on Tuesday, received huge donations not only from music stars like Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young, Paul Simon and Dierks Bentley, but also from families across the country who just wanted to give the people of Dolly Parton’s home area a hand up in the tragic wildfires.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have donated from all over the country and to my friends who donated their time, their talent and money for My People,” Parton, a country music legend and organizer of the telethon, explained. “The response has been so overwhelming that we haven’t been able to count all of the donations yet; right now, in total, we have raised about $9 million dollars for the folks who lost everything in Sevier County.”
The total amount raised is expected to rise as mail donations are counted and the telethon is rebroadcast to new audiences over the next few days.
Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the My People Fund may visit dollywoodfoundation.org. For those wishing to send donations via mail, those contributions should be sent to: My People Fund, c/o Dollywood Foundation, 111 Dollywood Lane, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863.
Donations are also being accepted by texting DOLLY to 501501 for a one-time $10 donation or DOLLY25 to 501501 for a one-time $25 donation. Messaging and data rates will apply.
More than 1,300 families have been displaced due to the wildfires which spread across Parton’s home area of Sevier County in late November. The entertainment icon established the Dollywood Foundation My People Fund to provide $1,000 each month for six months to every family who lost their primary residence.
Any family who lost their primary residence (renters and homeowners) due to the wildfires in Sevier County will be eligible. A pre-application for those affected is available at dollywoodfoundation.org.
Celebrities also donated their time to answer phones. Those included: Paula Deen and her sons Bobby and Jamie; “Chrisley Knows Best” cast members Todd, Julie and Savannah; “Moonshiners’” cast members Mark and Digger; “Nashville” cast member Charles Esten; cast members of Dolly Parton’s “Christmas of Many Colors;” country hit-makers Chris and Morgane Stapleton, Mark Wills, Lee Greenwood, Larry and Rudy Gatlin, TG Sheppard, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell, Kristian Bush, Tim Rushlow and T. Graham Brown; Parton’s nieces Rebecca Seaver and Danielle Parton; bluegrass hit-makers Lorraine Jordan and Darrin Vincent; comedian Henry Cho; KC of KC & The Sunshine Band; hot new country artists Lucas Hoge and Denny Strickland; songwriter Becky Hobbs; and members of the Tennessee Titans.
Several other celebrities shared special video messages during the telethon, including: Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood, Larry King, Steve Harvey, “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland and “The Today Show’s” Willie Geist.
Smoky Mountains Rise was also simulcast across multiple radio chains, including iHeart Media’s digital and select on-air platforms.
