Country music star Dolly Parton has partnered with Walmart and Sam's Club to offer financial assistance to communities impacted by the widespread destruction of Hurricane Helene.
"These are special people here; they're my people," Dolly said. "I feel like all people are my people, but everyone here grew up in the mountains just like I did so of course I have a close connection to them. I can't stand to see anyone hurting, so I wanted to do what I could to help after these terrible floods."
Parton's donation and that of her businesses -- Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton's Stampede, and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show -- will flow to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting those affected by the devastating floods in East Tennessee. The country music star's contribution also extends beyond monetary aid, with Dollywood partnering with Coca-Cola to deliver water supplies, while also serving as a donation drop-off location for essential recovery supplies like buckets, tarps, cleaning materials, and personal hygiene products.
At the same event, Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner announced a $10 million donation, earmarked for hurricane recovery efforts across Georgia, Florida, the Carolinas, and Tennessee.
"These aren't just places where we have stores. These are communities where we work and live, and our hearts are broken for our friends and neighbors," Furner said. "This is one of the most widespread and destructive storms I've seen in my 31 years with Walmart."
Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across Appalachia and the Southeast when it made landfall last week. More than 200 people have lost their lives in what is being regarded as one of the deadliest storms to strike the United States this century. Millions of homes and business were left without power, while catastrophic flooding has wiped out hundreds of roads and bridges.
Speaking at the Newport event, Parton acknowledged the toll the disaster has taken on affected communities and expressed solidarity with those facing hardship.
"I know it's easy for us to say, 'Oh, things are going to get better' when things are still really bad. All we can say is that 'We are with you, we love you. We hope that things get better real soon and we're going to do our part to try to make that possible,'" Parton said.
The fallout from Hurricane Helene has left communities across the Southeast grappling with unprecedented destruction. Many towns, particularly in Eastern Tennessee, are still reeling from the effects, with homes submerged and businesses shuttered. Recovery efforts continue, with various organizations assisting to provide food, shelter, and medical assistance to those affected.