Dolly Parton and businesses donate $700,000 to help Middle Tennessee flood damage

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Dolly Parton and her Pigeon Forge businesses donated $700,000 in support of the United Way of Humphreys County as it seeks to help residents following the catastrophic flooding in late August.

Parton said she was inspired by the assistance offered by Loretta Lynn after the 2016 wildfires.

“After the Sevier County wildfires in 2016, Loretta was one of the first who reached out to offer anything she could,” Parton said. “It meant so much to me that Loretta—and so many folks—were ready to give in any way they could. This was just one small way I could help Loretta’s people for all they did to help my people.”

Parton offered a portion of profits earned by her properties - Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s Stampede Dinner Attraction, Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show and the Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud.

“I hope that this money can be put to good use to help the people of Middle Tennessee with what they need during their recovery,” Parton said. “Loretta and her people helped us out so much following the wildfires in 2016 that I just knew we had to do something to help them. They have our prayers and our thoughts as they go through this time.”

Humphrey’s County was the county that suffered the most damage during the flooding, and Lynn’s own ranch in Hurricane Mills was severely damaged during the floods.