Dolly Parton, the famous country singer, has announced a personal donation of $1 million to help people affected by Hurricane Helene. At an event in Tennessee, she said the money would come from her own savings.
According to the BBC, her businesses, including the Dollywood amusement park, will also donate another $1 million to the Mountain Ways Foundation, which is helping people recover from the storm’s damage. During her speech, Dolly even sang part of her hit song “Jolene,” but changed the lyrics to “Helene” in support of the cause.
Hurricane Helene, which hit in late September, has been the deadliest U.S. storm since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It caused severe damage, floods, and power outages across several southern states, killing at least 225 people.
Many homes still don’t have electricity, and the recovery process is expected to take years. Most deaths happened in North Carolina, but other states like Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia were also affected.
Dolly said she was heartbroken over the disaster, especially since many of her family members live in the area. She expressed her deep connection to the people there, saying they feel like her own.
Dolly told the BBC she wanted to help in any way she could and encouraged others to do the same.
At the same event, Walmart increased its own donation to recovery efforts, raising it to $10 million. The CEO of Walmart praised Dolly, calling her a true American legend, not just for her music but for her kindness and generosity.
According to the BBC, Dolly has a history of helping people in need. In 2016, she donated money to families affected by wildfires in Tennessee, and in 2020, she gave $1 million to help develop a Covid-19 vaccine.
Credit : BBC
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpdq65185qdo