Following the tragic Gatlinburg, TN wildfires, promotor Lorraine Jordan and fans attending the Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokiesfestival in neighboring Pigeon Forge, TN raised $10,000 for Dolly Parton’s My People Fund. Parton’s Dollywood Foundation is collecting funds to distribute to wildfire victims. Jordan attended the Smoky Mountains Rise telethon to assist with answering phones and to present the donations from the festival to Parton during the telecast.
Jordan said, “My festival fans had worked hard, and most bands had donated product to help out. We held a silent auction with autographed guitars, quilts, rental properties, and gift baskets we put together. We donated all our tee shirt sales and proceeds from walk-in general admission tickets. We held 50/50 drawings and passed a bucket to collect money.” 
The total amount raised at the telethon has yet to be announced but is reported to be in the millions. The total damages from the wildfires has been estimated to be over $500 million dollars. VisitDollywoodFoundation.org to donate to the My People Fund which will directly help families affected by the wildfires.
Bluegrass Christmas in the Smokies is an annual festival held each December in Pigeon Forge, TN. The four-day festival is promoted and organized by Jordan, who is also the frontwoman of the Lorraine Jordan and Carolina Road bluegrass band. The band has recorded a song called “Christmas in the Smokies” inspired by the mountainous East Tennessee area.
