How to Help the Great Smoky Mountains After the Wildfires

The support for the Smoky Mountain area has been incredible. People from all over the country are showing their generosity and want to know more about how to help the Smoky Mountains recover from the recent wildfires.

Below, we’ve put together a list of places to donate and how you can help. We will be updating this over the next few days as we compile all of the resources. As always, thank you so much for your love and support of the Great Smoky Mountains and our Sevier County community.

Pray for the Smoky Mountains and Visit Us Soon

We still want you to visit us. We’re working on getting completely back on our feet, but the wildfires have not completely destroyed our hometown. One of the best things you can do is to continue planning your vacations and come visit us soon.

Donate to the “My People Fund”

Dolly Parton’s The Dollywood Foundation announced that it would be giving $1,000 per month for 6 months to families who lost their homes in the wildfires. This will help aid our local families to help them recover and get back on their feet.

You can donate to the “My People Fund” by clicking here to visit the Dollywood Foundation website.

My People Fund Update (Friday, December 2)

Families who lost their primary residence are eligible for the My People Fund donations. The pre-application and more details about how to apply are available here: https://dollywoodfoundation.org/get-help/. Dolly has made sure this plan has been put into action quickly. Funds will be distributed December 15-16 and December 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the CARE MORE Assistance Center at LeConte Events Center in Pigeon Forge.

Donate $10 to the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has played a major role in setting up shelters and providing immediate care for the locals who lost their homes. You can donate $10 to the American Red Cross by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999, call 1-800-RED CROSS or you can click here to donate online through their website.

When you text “REDCROSS” to 90999, you will be prompted for a $10 donation.

Make Donations at Kroger Stores

Beginning on Tuesday, Kroger stores in Middle and East Tennessee, northern Alabama and Southern Kentucky will be collecting donations at their individual locations. At checkout, you will be able to add any amount you wish to your purchase at the time of the checkout. This is partnership between Kroger and the Red Cross. For more details, click here.

Monetary Donations to Citizens National Bank

You can make monetary donations locally to assist families and those who have lost their homes at Citizens National Bank (located at 200 Forks of the River Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862). You can also mail a check to this location, made payable to “City of Pigeon Forge Fire Relief Fund.” All money will be collected and donated to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevier County families in need.

Local Places to Make Donations and Volunteer Time

The following places are accepting donations and will need continued support as we continue to clean up and recover from the wildfires in the Smoky Mountains. Whether you are local or visiting the area, consider picking up a few items and dropping them off at one of these locations:

Sevier County Rescue Squad 

• Located at: 1171 Dolly Parton Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862
• Current needs: Cases of water, chapstick, socks, personal hygiene products

The Barker Lounge

• Located at: 1301 W Main Street, Sevierville, TN 37862
• Current needs: blankets, sheets, kennels/crates, pet supplies
• This facility is also willing and able to house pets for owners during their displacement, free of charge.
• If you are a veterinarian and able to volunteer your time, you can contact (865) 774-3140.

Sevier County Humane Society

• Located at: Sevier County Fairgrounds, 754 Old Knoxville Hwy, Sevierville, TN 37862
• Current needs: Any pet supplies, including food, flea/tick treatments, blankets, crates, etc. and monetary funds.
• Click here to donate to the Sevier County Humane Society or mail a donation to Sevier County Humane Society, P.O. Box 976, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868.
• They are also in need of and veterinarians or vet techs who can volunteer their time.

Former Boyd’s Bear Facility in Pigeon Forge

• Located at: 149 Cates Lane, Pigeon Forge
• Current needs: All donations accepted, including clothing, food, water, over-the-counter medications, personal hygiene products, diapers, flashlights, baby formula and more.
• The facility is currently open and will remain open until demand decreases.

Second Harvest Food Bank

• Located at: 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville, TN 37801
• Currently accepting: water and food items to deliver to Sevier County and distributed throughout the week.
• To learn more about their efforts and how to donate monetarily, click here.

Remote Area Medical

• Located at: 2200 Stock Creek Blvd, Rockford, TN
• They are a donation drop-off location and are taking Gatorade and water to the volunteer fire departments.
• For more information about them, click here.

Knoxville Coliseum

• Located at: 500 Howard Baker Jr Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37915
• This is a donation drop off location. Currently accepting donations throughout the week – water, Gatorade, protein bars, diapers, snacks, toiletry items and non-perishables. They will make sure your donation gets to the right place.

Central Flats & Taps, Knoxville

• Located at: 1204 N. Central Street, Knoxville, TN 37917
• This is a donation drop off location. Currently accepting donations throughout the week – water, Gatorade, protein bars, diapers, snacks and non-perishables. They will make sure your donation gets to the right place.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support.

From all of us at Visit My Smokies, we can’t thank you enough for the outpouring of love and support for our Smoky Mountain communities. Please continue to pray for us and keep us in your thoughts. We will keep you updated with the latest information as it becomes available to us.