NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 8,
2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon today announced a $50,000 grant to support the wildfire relief
efforts in Sevier County, Tenn. In
partnership with the Dollywood Foundation, the donation will offer
financial assistance to those displaced by the recent wildfires in
the Great Smoky Mountains area.
"I'm honored by Verizon's support of our My People Fund,"
Dolly Parton said. "The outpouring
of support to help families in my hometown is truly humbling for
me."
The Dollywood Foundation recently announced plans to donate
$1,000 a month for six months to the
Tennessee families affected
through the My People Fund. Dolly
Parton's Dollywood Companies ― including the Dollywood theme
park, DreamMore Resort, Dixie Stampede, Lumberjack Adventure, and
the Dollywood Foundation ― established the My People Fund to
provide financial assistance to any homeowner or renter whose
primary residence was either completely lost or is uninhabitable
due to the wildfires in Sevier
County.
Dolly will host a telethon Tuesday,
December 13 from 8-11 p.m.
EST. Many celebrities will attend in support, and all
proceeds will go to the My People Fund. More details on the
telethon will be released in the coming days. So far, over 700
families have pre-applied online for support from the My People
Fund, and the telethon aims to build the fund to meet this
challenge.
Verizon's $50,000 contribution
will provide financial assistance to more than eight local families
over the next six months.
"During this difficult time, our heartfelt thoughts and
prayers are with those who have been affected by this natural
disaster," said Roger Tang,
President - South East Market, Verizon Wireless. "As East
Tennessee begins to heal, we hope Verizon's contributions will make
a difference, and we urge others to make a gift to the My People
Fund to help victims get back on their feet."
Verizon recently announced it would take care of any charges
from talk, text and data over regular plans for impacted customers
in qualified areas in Tennessee
from 11/28-12/3. The company has supported the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge communities by deploying mobile
cellular equipment to supplement service in this area and has
deployed charging stations for use by first responders as well as
residents and visitors displaced in shelters.
For more information on The Dollywood Foundation, including how
to donate, visit https://dollywoodfoundation.org/.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in
New York City, has a diverse
workforce of nearly 162,700 and generated nearly $132 billion in 2015 revenues. Verizon operates
America's most reliable wireless network, with 113.2 million retail
connections nationwide. The company also provides communications
and entertainment services over mobile broadband and the nation's
premier all-fiber network, and delivers integrated business
solutions to customers worldwide.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: News releases, feature stories,
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Media contact:
Kate Jay
kate.jay@vzw.com
Twitter: @KateHarrisJay
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SOURCE Verizon