Dolly Parton Donates $1 Million Towards Hurricane Helene Relief: 'These Are My People'

Dolly Partonhas pledged a $1 million donation to help Hurricane Helene victims after her home state of Tennessee was one of the six states affected. On Friday, Oct. 3, the country music star andPitman Center, Tenn. native, 78, traveled to a Walmart in Newport, Tenn., to announce that she and her East Tennessee businesses partnered with the retailer to help aid those affected. In addition toWalmart increasing its commitment of $6 million to a $10 million donationto hurricane relief efforts, Parton will now donate $1 million to the Mountain Ways Foundation.

Dolly Parton Learned to Cook 'Out of Necessity' at Home with 11 Siblings: 'We Wanted to Be Together' (Exclusive)

Dolly Partonand her sisterRachel Parton Georgeare sitting in front of a towering serving of strawberry shortcake — a recipe from their new cookbook — but are reminiscing about something a bit more savory. The Parton family called it “left-handed gravy.” “Our daddy was left-handed,” Dolly, 78, tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “There was two or three of us in the family that were lefties," says the star, one of 12 kids famously raised in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains.

Dolly Parton Learns She's Actually Related to Goddaughter Miley Cyrus: 'Is That True? That's Amazing!'

The Cyrus family tree branches out further than anyone knew! “Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus are seventh cousins, once removed! Their common ancestor is John Brickey, born in 1740 in Virginia,” reads a statement from Ancestry. Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton in Los Angeles in February 2019.Kevin Mazur/Getty Kevin Mazur/Getty The company added of Brickey, “He later moved to Blount County, Tennessee with his wife and children and remained there until his death in 1806.

Dolly Parton Reveals She Dresses as ‘Granny Claus’ and Comes Down the Chimney Every Christmas: ‘They Still Expect Me to Do This’

Dolly Parton.Photo:Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty Granny Claus — we mean,Dolly Parton, — is coming to town! In the latest cover ofGood Housekeeping UK, Parton dished on how she celebrates her favorite holiday, Christmas. She admits to the publication that she goes “over the top,” which means she finds a way down the chimney in true Santa fashion. “Every year, I play Granny Claus – I get in my Santa Claus suit and I come down the chimney with my sack full of presents,” she explained.

Dolly Parton Reveals What She Thinks About Beyoncé Not Scoring Any CMA Award Nominations withCowboy Carter

Dolly Parton in November 2023; Beyoncé in February 2024.Photo:Jason Kempin/Getty; Johnny Nunez/Getty Jason Kempin/Getty; Johnny Nunez/Getty WasBeyoncé’sCowboy Carterpurposely snubbed from the 2024CMA Awards?Dolly Partondoesn’t think so. After Queen Bey’s eighth studio album didn’t receive any nominations for the upcoming 58th Annual CMA Awards, the country icon — who features on two of its tracks —opened up toVarietyabout why she thinks the project isn’t up for any awards. “Well, you never know,” said the 78-year-old singer-songwriter, who contributed to the tracks “Dolly P” and “Tyrant,” while Beyoncé, 43, covered her hit “Jolene” for the album.