My People Fund assistance checks will be distributed to wildfire survivors beginning Dec. 15.

The Dollywood Foundation will begin distributing checks to those affected by the Great Smoky Mountain wildfires on Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. at the CARE MORE Assistance Center inside the LeConte Event Center.

More than 900 people have applied for funds, with more expected to complete the application. For efficiency, The Dollywood Foundation encourages only the head of household to report on the day that correlates with their last name. The head of household should be prepared with photo I.D. The Dollywood Foundation emphasizes that funds will not run out. This is the first of six distribution periods.

DATES:
Thursday, Dec. 15 -- Last name A – F
Friday, Dec. 16 -- Last name G – L
Monday, Dec. 19 -- Last name M – R
Tuesday, Dec. 20 -- Last name S – Z

HOURS:
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

LOCATION:
CARE MORE Assistance Center inside the LeConte Event Center
2986 Teaster Ln., Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

About My People Fund

The Dollywood Foundation's My People Fund was established to assist those families (owners or renters) who lost their primary residence in the wildfires (complete loss or uninhabitable). Eligible families receive $1000 a month for up to six months.

Applicants are urged to pre-apply by visiting Dollywood Foundation online. County officials are using the U.S. Geological Survey of the damage and cross-referencing with official documents to ensure the families who lost everything receive these funds.