Newport, Tenn. — A collaboration between East Tennessee’s beloved Dolly Parton, several iconic Sevier County attractions, and retail giant Walmart has resulted in a monumental contribution to flood relief efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
In a heartwarming event held at Newport’s Walmart, Parton announced an extraordinary $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing swift aid to those affected by the catastrophic floods. Parton’s East Tennessee businesses—Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show—joined forces with the Dollywood Foundation to match her contribution. Their combined efforts culminated in a staggering $2 million being donated to the Mountain Ways Foundation.
“We’re gathered under somber circumstances, but we’ve all witnessed the destruction,” Parton shared, her voice thick with emotion. “Who would have thought that in this small corner of the world—where I was born and raised—such devastation could happen? When I look around, these aren’t just mountains or valleys, these are my mountains, my valleys. These are my people, my home.”
Reflecting on the fires that ravaged Sevier County in 2016, Parton said, “I remember when the fires hit, and everyone came together, offering whatever they could. And now, it’s time for me to step up again. For all of us to do what we can.”
Resilient Community Stands Strong Once More
Eugene Naughton, president of the Dollywood Company, took to the podium before Dolly, offering a poignant reminder of the community’s resilience. “Only a week ago, thousands of lives were disrupted across East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and beyond. While Sevier County was fortunate to avoid the worst of the damage, we’ve learned important lessons from the Smoky Mountain wildfires—lessons of determination, compassion, and an unwavering spirit. It’s those lessons that inspired us to step forward and help our neighbors recover from this flooding.”
Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner also made a significant announcement during the event. Furner shared that the company, along with Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, would contribute a substantial $10 million to hurricane relief efforts across the states impacted by Hurricane Helene. A portion of this aid will go directly to the East Tennessee Foundation.
Speaking of his deep connection to the region, Furner recounted how his family moved to Franklin, Tennessee, in 1979. “I watched as Walmart expanded into Appalachia and East Tennessee,” he said. “We’re not here for just today or tomorrow—we’ll stay until this community is fully restored.”
Dollywood’s Continued Commitment to the Community
Even before the event, Dollywood had already taken decisive action. In partnership with Coca-Cola, the company sent a semi-truck filled with water to Cocke County for distribution to those in need. Additionally, Dollywood donated 60,000 reusable masks, 30,000 disposable protective garments, and an astonishing 2.5 million disposable masks to assist in the cleanup efforts across the region.
As recovery from the flooding continues, Dollywood, in collaboration with the city of Pigeon Forge’s donation centers, will also serve as a drop-off site for essential cleanup supplies. Items like buckets, tarps, shovels, cleaning wipes, diapers, baby formula, pet food, and much more can be left at the park’s front gate for distribution to affected families.
Dolly’s Message of Hope
Concluding the event, Parton took a moment to respond to questions from the gathered press. When asked what she would say to those who’ve lost everything, her voice softened. “I know it’s easy for us to say, ‘Things will get better,’ when right now, it’s hard to see that. But we want you to know we’re with you, we love you, and we’re going to do everything in our power to help you through this. With God’s grace and the help of this amazing community, we’ll make it through. And when we do, we’ll be stronger than ever.”
Parton, renowned for her philanthropy, has a long history of supporting her East Tennessee roots during times of crisis. In 2021, she contributed a portion of ticket sales from Dollywood and her other ventures to support those affected by the devastating floods in Middle Tennessee. Following the 2016 wildfires, the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund provided $1,000 monthly to families displaced by the disaster. In a heartwarming gesture, Parton later surprised these families with an additional $5,000 gift.
Most recently, Dolly, along with fellow Tennessee native Morgan Wallen, reached out to Governor Bill Lee, offering their support to flood victims. Earlier in the week, Wallen’s foundation had pledged $500,000 toward relief efforts for the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
As always, Dolly Parton’s unwavering commitment to her home state shines through in her words and actions. And while the road to recovery may be long, East Tennessee knows that with Dolly and the generosity of so many others, they will come back stronger—just as they always have.