Dolly Parton
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Dolly Parton Donates $200K to Tennessee Volunteer Fire Departments

Dolly Parton has donated $200,000 to eight volunteer fire departments who helped combat the 2016 wildfires that ravaged East Tennessee.

According to The Tennessean, Parton donated the money through the Dollywood Foundation's My People Fund. Parton gave $20,000 to eight volunteer fire departments in her home county of Sevier County and $40,000 to their area training center.

"It is only fitting that the last of the My People Fund will go to those who were the first to respond to the fires," Parton said in a press release.

Parton created the My People fund just days after the 2016 wildfires broke out in eastern Tennessee. The devastating fires killed 14 people and destroyed or damaged over 2,500 homes. In 2016, she also pledged $1000 per month for five months to over 800 families who lost their primary residences in the fires.

Tim Baker, the chief of Waldens Creek volunteer fire department and the president of the Sevier County Fire Chiefs Association, said the department will use the funds to buy new gear and replace the roof on the fire station.

Read More: Country Rewind: Dolly Parton's 'Romeo' Video is an All-Star '90s Country Delight

This year, Parton's Netflix series Dolly Parton's Heartstrings will premiere on Netflix. Each episode of the series will be based on one of Parton's songs and will feature the country legend.

The country star will return to the big screen in the upcoming 9 to 5 reboot. The film's original co-stars, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, will also appear in the film.

Now Watch: The 10 Best Dolly Parton Movies

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