The singer says she was "heartbroken" by the destruction wrought in the US by the powerful storm.

Music icon Dolly Parton has announced she will make a personal donation of $1m (£762,000) towards disaster recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Speaking at an event in her home state of Tennessee on Friday, the 78-year-old said the money would come “from my own bank account”.

Parton’s local commercial ventures - including the Dollywood amusement park - would also donate the same amount to the Mountain Ways Foundation, which is aiding those affected by flooding in the region.

During her remarks, Parton broke into song, singing “Helene, Helene” to the tune of her 1973 hit Jolene.

  • Flying Squid
    70•3 months ago

    When Dolly finally leaves us, she better fucking be lying-in-state at the Capitol so the country can mourn her loss. Because I’m not religious, but she’s as close to deserving sainthood as a person can get.

    • @[email protected]
      26•3 months ago

      Her, Fred Rodgers, and…yeah, that’s a short list. I’d add my grandmother there too, but nobody would know who I’m talking about.

      • Flying Squid
        9•3 months ago

        I sure as fuck wouldn’t add either of my grandmothers, but I’ll take your word for it on yours.

    • Rhaedas
      14•3 months ago

      He was claiming he had a helicopter that couldn’t land due to FAA rules or some stupid crap. Whatever happened to that? The tweet reminded me of a troll in a forum who everyone is ignoring and he keeps shouting he’s being shadow banned because he’s right.

      • @[email protected]
        25•3 months ago

        FWIW, he did the same thing with those trapped Thai kids in the cave. Then claimed sour grapes and called the real rescuer a paedophile. This is his MO.

      • @[email protected]English
        8•3 months ago

        He was claiming he had a helicopter that couldn’t land due to FAA rules or some stupid crap

        Seems unlikely.

        There were plenty of private helicopters out there hauling emergency supplies in and people out as soon as the storm passed enough for them to land.

        Unless musk’s helicopter was trying to go it alone and getting in the way, instead of joining the coordinated effort, I’m gonna assume this is just another of his bullshit stories.

        • @[email protected]
          7•3 months ago

          Unless musk’s helicopter was trying to go it alone and getting in the way, instead of joining the coordinated effort

          This seems incredibly likely knowing Musk and his history of being a galactic douchebag.

    • @[email protected]
      3•3 months ago

      As much as I don’t like him, he was supposedly donating starlink equipment to help with connectivity in the area. I’m sure it comes with a host of caveats and gotchas but it’s something at least