Dolly Parton has pledged another $3 million for victims of the Tennessee wildfires that devastated areas around her hometown last November.
In December, Parton began giving $1,000 a month to families who lost their homes in the wildfires, then doubled it this month to $10,000 for each of about 900 families that applied for aid, The Tennessean reported.
Parton spearheaded relief fundraising efforts including a celebrity telethon to raise money for the families affected. The new effort, called Mountain Tough, will start June 1 and give long-term aid to low-income families as they try to rebuild their lives, The Tennessean reported.
Case managers will work to identify needs such as transportation to work or medications for fire-related health conditions.
Parton has pledged $3 million to start and will seek donations for the new organization to add to the effort, The Tennessean said.
“It makes me feel proud that I’ve been able to do something. But I don’t put myself on any kind of pedestal for doing this because it’s the right thing to do. I’m a Smoky Mountain girl, and I’ve been blessed in my life to become a celebrity. And when you’re in the position to help, you should help,” she said, according to The Tennessean.
Parton reported Sevier County was running as normal again, and said the area is rebounding from the wildfires, which were caused by careless local teens.
“It’s better than ever,” she said, the newspaper reported.
Twitter followers showed their love for Parton and her efforts, as well as showcasing her float in a homecoming parade held last week.
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