Walmart donates $10 million, Dolly Parton donates $1 million to Helene relief efforts

NEWPORT, Tenn. (WCYB) — Both Walmart and country music legend Dolly Parton are donating large amounts to Helene's relief efforts.

Walmart is donating $10 million and Parton announced a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation. In addition, Parton's East Tennessee companies – Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Dolly Parton's Stampede and Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show – and the Dollywood Foundation are joining forces and have pledged to match their donation to Mountain Ways with a $1 million match add your own.

“These are special people here; They are my people,” Parton said. “I feel like all people are my people, but everyone here grew up in the mountains just like me, so of course I have a close connection with them. I can't stand to see anyone suffer, so I wanted to do what I could to help after these terrible floods. I hope we can all be a little light in the world to our friends, our neighbors – even strangers – during this dark time they are living through.”

“I am also grateful that all of my East Tennessee businesses and the people at Walmart are contributing to flood relief,” Parton added. “This money will certainly help a lot of people, but there is so much more that this area needs. “I hope more people donate or volunteer because people here need so much right now.”

“These aren’t just places where we have stores. These are communities in which we work and live, and our hearts are broken for our friends and neighbors,” said John Furner, President and CEO of Walmart US. “This is one of the most widespread and destructive storms I have seen in my 31 years with Walmart. But I've also seen in over 31 years that Walmart associates always step in when needed. This is who we are and what we will continue to be. We will support people and communities until they recover.”

“One of the things we love most about Dolly as a partner is her incredible heart and care for her community,” Furner said. “She reminds me of our employees who are always the first to act when our communities need us. This time is no different and we will continue to support them until they recover.”

“This beautiful region that we all love is facing an extreme challenge,” said Eugene Naughton, president of Dollywood Parks & Resorts. “And while it may be quite daunting at the moment, we know that the spirit of the people of this region will help them overcome what lies ahead in the days ahead. We encourage others to donate or volunteer in any way they can to help their neighbors and communities recover from this difficult time.”

“Dollywood's share of the donation from our Love Shares program will help Mountain Ways provide immediate assistance when needed,” Naughton added. “As local leaders better assess their communities in the coming weeks, we will identify additional ways we can assist in recovery efforts.”

News 5's Kristen Quon was at the announcement and will have additional stories on News 5 Friday afternoon.