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Dolly Parton to give $1,000 per month to families who lost everything in Tennessee wildfires

Posted at 9:35 AM, Dec 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-01 09:35:30-05

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — Dolly Parton is giving a little extra to victims of the Tennessee wildfires.

Parton, who was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, announced on Wednesday that the Dollywood Foundation would be giving $1,000 each month for six months to families who were critically affected by the wildfires.

A video posted on her website says Parton plans to start a “My People Fund” to help affected families:

As you may know by now, there have been terrible wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains, the same mountains where I grew up and where my people call home.

I have always believed that charity begins at home. That’s why I’ve asked my Dollywood Companies – Including the Dollywood Theme Park, and DreamMore Resort; My dinner theater attractions including Dixie Stampede and Lumberjack Adventure; and my Dollywood Foundation to help me establish the ‘My People Fund.’

We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. To aid in their recovery effort, the Dollywood Foundation will provide $1,000 a month to all of those families who lost their homes in the fires for six months so that they can get back on their feet.

The wildfires, which have burned across the eastern Tennessee since Monday, has killed at least seven people and damaged or destroyed more than 700 buildings.

You can donate to the Dollywood Foundation’s relief fund here.