Country music legend, Dolly Parton, donates $1 million to Hurricane Helene relief efforts. 

Parton is a Tennessee native, born and raised in rural Appalachia, and heartbroken by all the destruction Helene left in her path. The death toll continues to rise and is already well over 200. 

Helene is now the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005. 

It will take years and billions of dollars to rebuild what the historic storm destroyed. Parton announced her $1 million donation to Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit providing immediate assistance to Helene victims, at a Walmart in Newport on Friday. She said, "There are a lot of people hurting right now, and I can’t stand to see people hurting. These are my people." 

After performing a shortened version of her hit "Jolene" edited to "Helene", she spoke from her heart to the crowd. "Who knew in our little part of the country here — where I was born and raised right down the road — that we would have this kind of devastation,” she said. “I look around and I think, these are my mountains. These are my valleys. These are my rivers, flowing like a stream. These are my people. These mountain-colored rainbows, these are my people and this is my home … I just want you to know that I am totally with you ’cause I am part of you. I love you."

Her businesses, Dollywood Parks & Resorts and The Dollywood Foundation, matched Parton's donation with an additional $1 million going to the nonprofit. Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner announced a $10 million donation to Mountain Ways Foundation to help even more people in need. 

Parton is doing all she can to help those in need and will continue to "find ways to raise more funds". 

Hundreds of people are still missing as the search efforts continue. Many survivors have lost their homes and need help now. 

Join us in lending a helping hand by providing essential supplies and food to people and pets. Donate now.