One by one, people who lost everything in the Tennessee wildfires are getting a "hand up" in the form of $1000 checks from the Dollywood Foundation's My People Fund. The Foundation began distributing hundreds of checks on Thursday, Dec. 15. Over the next four business days, the process will continue for those who qualify.
The Foundation staff and volunteers are moved by the touching stories of the people visiting the CARE MORE Assistance Center. Many of those who came in for assistance wanted to share their stories
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To date, nearly $9 million has been raised for the My People Fund and the need is still great. According to the Foundation, the number of people needing help is still unknown.
Inside the LeConte Events Center checks are given out in what is called the CARE MORE Assistance Center. In addition to My People Fund checks, Dollar General is on hand giving out toys and gift cards. Tanger Outlets has also generously donated gift cards as well.
On Dec. 1, Dolly Parton announced a new effort by The Dollywood Foundation, The Dollywood Company and all her dinner show attractions including Dixie Stampede, Lumberjack Adventure and Pirates Voyage to establish a fund to assist the victims of the Great Smoky Mountain wildfires in Tennessee. The My People Fund will provide $1000 each month for up to six months to Sevier County families who lost their homes.
To learn more about My People Fund, get assistance or to make a donation, visit DollywoodFoundation.org.
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
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.
All families who receive the gift of Imagination Library books were also presented with a free download of Dolly’s song "I Believe In You" that she wrote for the Imagination Playhouse at Dollywood.
Eleven additional songs will soon be coming for purchase, with 100 percent of sales supporting the longevity of The Dollywood Foundation.
In 2012, an article based on Dolly’s Imagination Library initiative was included in the academic journal, Reading Psychology. The article, "The Imagination Library Program: Increasing Parental Reading Through Book Distribution" by Ridzi, Sylvia, & Singh, marks the first publication of empirical research assessing the impact of this international program in an academic, peer-reviewed journal.
A range of communities continued to join Dolly’s book gifting program in 2012: The United Ways of St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield (the 3 largest cities in Missouri); Ft. McMurray in Alberta joined becoming the largest program in Canada; and in the United Kingdom, a plan was established for ‘looked after children’ by 26 Local Authorities in Scotland.
A Canadian documentary called 'The Book Lady,' was released and later added to Air Canada’s in-flight movie rotation. The film was invited to the Cleveland International Film Festival and the 40th Nashville Film Festival. (more…)
