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Dolly Parton planning telethon for Tennessee wildfire victims - report

Dolly Parton is organising a telethon to aid the victims of the recent Tennessee wildfires, according to reports.

The country star was born and raised in the Great Smoky Mountains, where the blaze devastated homes last week (29 November) and she was forced to shut down her Dollywood theme park as firefighters ordered mass evacuations in the areas around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

Dollywood reopened for business on Friday as Dolly announced a new charity drive, the My People Fund, which she established through the Dollywood Foundation. Through the initiative, she hopes to provide $1,000 (£786) each month to Sevier County families who lost their homes in the fires.

And now she has put together plans for a charity telethon on 13 December to help raise more cash to benefit the hardest-hit victims of the fire.

According to Nashville news channel WKRN, a representative for Parton has confirmed the event, although the singer has yet to confirm a venue, network or line-up. She also hasn't formally announced the project.

Sharing the news of the My People Fund last week, she said, "I've always believed charity begins at home and my home is some place special. That's why I've asked my Dollywood companies... to help me establish the My People Fund.

"We want to provide a hand up to those families who have lost everything in the fires. I know it has been a trying time for my people and this assistance will help get them back on their feet."

The singer's goddaughter Miley Cyrus has also announced she'll be supporting Dolly's new charity through her Happy Hippie Foundation, tweeting, "So proud that @happyhippiefdn is supporting the My People Fund, set up by my fairy godmother @dollyparton to help families in Tennessee who have lost their homes in this week's fire.

"As a fellow Tennessee native and someone who's passionate about tackling homelessness, my heart goes out to all the victims."

Source: www.msn.com
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