Internet calls Dolly Parton a 'national treasure' for sponsoring uniforms for Black high schools for years
SEVIER COUNTY, TENNESSEE: Country legend Dolly Parton is known for her philanthropic activities and for helping others without making a big song and dance about it. Recently, writer and journalist Michael Harriot took to Twitter to reveal that the 76-year-old singer has been sponsoring many uniforms at Black high schools for years quietly. The 'Jolene' singer's selfless way of working has touched the internet's heart with many saying she has a "heart of gold."
"Here’s a quietly wonderful thing I noticed: If you talk to someone who was in choir or band at a majority Black HS, you’ll eventually discuss those annoying fundraisers for uniforms, instruments, etc. & a SURPRISING number will casually say, “Oh, Dolly Parton paid for ours," Michael Harriot wrote on a post shared on Twitter on Thursday, October 6.
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Here’s a quietly wonderful thing I noticed:
— Michael Harriot (@michaelharriot) October 6, 2022
If you talk to someone who was in choir or band at a majority Black HS, you’ll eventually discuss those annoying fundraisers for uniforms, instruments, etc. & a SURPRISING number will casually say:
“Oh, Dolly Parton paid for ours”
'That woman is a national treasure'
A lot of people who benefitted from Dolly's kind gesture, flooded social media with their stories. "30+ years ago I was in high school marching band in East Tennessee. One year we played Sevier County High School...and DANG that band was equipped - uniforms, instruments, flags, everything. Mountain area, much poverty. Paid for by Dolly Parton. That woman is a national treasure," a person tweeted. Another netizen tweeted, "I work with a bunch of guys from the same area as Dolly. One of them used to be a funeral director. He said Dolly regularly paid for funerals of folks who couldn't otherwise afford them. For years. She's the real deal."
Another Twitter user spoke about Dolly Parton's share of help in his life. The person tweeted, "Around the same time period, Pigeon Forge was growing. Middle School bursting at the seams and 2+ kids sharing lockers. Shr called up the BOE told them to replace the lockers so we all had our own and to send her the bill. She's amazing."
30+ years ago I was in high school marching band in East Tennessee. One year we played Sevier County High School...and DANG that band was equipped - uniforms, instruments, flags, everything. Mountain area, much poverty. Paid for by Dolly Parton. That woman is a national treasure.
— DSquared (@blusurfer) October 6, 2022
I work with a bunch of guys from the same area as Dolly. One of them used to be a funeral director. He said Dolly regularly paid for funerals of folks who couldn't otherwise afford them. For years. She's the real deal.
— CCP (@HobokenCricco) October 7, 2022
Around the same time period, Pigeon Forge was growing. Middle School bursting at the seams and 2+ kids sharing lockers. Shr called up the BOE told them to replace the lockers so we all had our own and to send her the bill. She's amazing.
— MG Hoover (@mghooverwriter) October 6, 2022
Hope there aren’t a lot like you out there. First: Dolly Parton is the closest thing to a saint that we have. She’s constantly giving back, funding research, and doing general good. Second: the way you say profit like a bad word is pathetic. You’re going to have a tough life.
— PalmettoHokie (@HokiePalmetto) February 10, 2022
Some of her charity works
Dolly's charity work is, in fact, no joke considering her donations to schools date back to1988. She launched an organization called The Dollywood Foundation in her hometown Sevier County where the singer gave $500 to every seventh and eighth grader who passed high school. Another one of her renowned charitable works includes Imagination Library, where she shows her love for books by sending one book a month to each child enrolled in Sevier County. They also partnered with Penguin Random House to provide 200 refugee children with free books in London.
Dolly Parton donated $1M for research on Covid-19 to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She also stayed true to being a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement by donating to Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Save the Music Foundation and the Boot Campaign among others. As of February, Dollywood Corporation has announced that it will cover 100% of tuition fees and books for every employee at Dollywood Parks and Resorts who is furthering their education, as per Billboard.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online