Mountain Ways Foundation to partner with Dolly Parton
PRESS RELEASE FROM MOUNTAIN WAYS
For Immediate Release: October 4, 2024
Mountain Ways Foundation Proud To Partner With Dolly Parton
Tennessee icon once again helping relief and recovery efforts in East Tennessee, and across Appalachia region
GATLINBURG, TN – Tennessee icon and country music legend Dolly Parton announced today that she is once again leading in the efforts to help those in need in East Tennessee as a result of a natural disaster. In the wake of the extensive damage to the Appalachian region from Hurricane Helene, Parton announced a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation to provide immediate assistance to flood victims.
In addition, several of Dolly Parton’s businesses and entities in East Tennessee including Dollywood Parks and Resorts, Dolly Parton’s Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show—as well as The Dollywood Foundation are combining efforts and have pledged to match her donation to Mountain Ways with a $1 million contribution of their own.
“There are a lot of people hurting right now, and I can’t stand to see people hurting. and these are special people; they’re my people,” said Dolly Parton. “Everyone here grew up in the mountains just like I did, and I’m just heartbroken by what I’ve seen.”
“We are so grateful to Dolly and her team as she once again leads the way in helping our region repair and rebuild from such a terrible tragedy,” said Joe and Jessi Baker, the co-founders of Mountain Ways Foundation. “Being from East Tennessee, Dolly has been a hero to us our whole lives. Working with her and her team in helping our neighbors is the honor of a lifetime.”
The Mountain Ways Foundation was founded in 2023 to share the hospitality of the Appalachian region to those who are suffering from natural disasters. It was inspired, in part, by Dolly Parton’s exceptional leadership during the 2016 Great Smoky Mountain wildfires.
Donations to Mountain Ways are going directly to those in need in our community. 100% of donations are going to Helene victims throughout East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, and through the Appalachian region. Support will include distributing food and water and to assist in the long-term recovery effort for our community.
“This money will certainly help a lot of people, but there is still so much more this area needs. Please make donations or volunteer to help. I hope that we can all be a little bit of light in the world for our friends, our neighbors, and even strangers during this dark time they are experiencing,” Parton continued.
For more information, please visit www.mountainwaystn.org.
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