Dolly Parton Has Been Donating To High School Bands For Years But She Never Made It Public

Nov 30, 2022 by apost team

While Dolly Parton is most notably known for her contribution to country music, she is also known for her philanthropic works, including a charitable organization she founded herself. But did you know that she has been secretly helping other people for years?

Dolly Parton is an icon who has been in the spotlight for decades as one of the best female country singers and musicians of all time. Parton has become a legend in the entertainment industry because of her bubbly personality, unique vocal tone and beautiful songwriting skills. 

Parton's musical talents became known early, and she began writing her own songs before long. After graduating high school in 1964, 18-year-old Parton moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to become a star. Incidentally, she kicked off what would be a legendary career that year and met the love of her life, her future husband, Carl Dean.

The couple has been happily married for 55 years, but Dean tends to stay out of the spotlight, letting Parton shine. Recently, the singer shared a rare photo of her and her husband from their younger years, and fans couldn't get enough.

What's more, she uses her platform to do good and speak out on topics that are meaningful to her. This included donating $1 million toward COVID-19 research, which was partly used to fund the Moderna vaccine. She also recently spoke out in support of Britney Spears amid her conservatorship battle. 

Perhaps the 'Jolene' singer's humble beginnings are the reason for her kind heart. Parton grew up as one of 12 children in a poor Tennessee family, and her journey to stardom is one that draws an outpouring of love and admiration.

People working at one of America's top amusement parks – Dollywood – aren't only working for Dolly Parton's company. They are working for a top employer recognized by Forbes. Apart from the holistic benefits, they also offer free tuition to their employees who wish to pursue further education.

Parton also founded the Dollywood Foundation in 1988, which began by offering scholarships to high school students. Then, it was followed by free children's book gifting program in 1995 through the Imagination Library. By 2006, the Imagination Library spread to more than 471 communities across the US, helping more than 1 million children each month.

In 2016, Parton established the My People Fund, which donated $1,000 per month to households who lost their homes to fire from the 2016 Great Smoky Mountains Wildfires. Through Parton's efforts, the My People Fund raised over $9 million and assisted more than 900 families.  

In 1991, she launched the Buddy Program to address the local dropout rates in Sevier County in Tennessee. She offered $500 to each and every student in the seventh and eighth grades if they graduated from high school. But it came with a twist: each student's Buddy must graduate as well, and they had to sign a contract to pledge to do everything they could to make sure both graduated.

Since then, the Dollywood Foundation has grown into the successful non-profit organization that it is today.

But unknown to many, Parton has been secretly helping others for years.

Journalist Michael Harriot tweeted in October 2022 about Parton's great deeds, which include uniforms and instruments for choir and bands in various high schools where many Black students are studying.

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"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,'" Harriot wrote in his tweet.

Several people replied to Harriot's tweet to confirm her generosity.

One person said:

"Can confirm. And to anyone asking why she might do that or why band & music matter, especially to underrepresented communities, do a little research & look at the enormous jumps in graduation rates, SAT scores, & lifetime outcomes. You play a 'bone, your world grows.'"

Another of Parton's beneficiaries replied to Harriot's tweet, saying she could attest to Parton's kind heart. Calling Parton a "national treasure," she said the American singer-songwriter paid for everything they needed for the marching band she was a part of. But it isn't far from reality, as she was recognized as one in 2022. 

"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," the person said.

But Parton isn't only generous; she is also a thoughtful person. One person revealed that Parton made time to greet his daughter on her birthday, further proving that she really has a huge heart.

"' Aunt Dolly' is celebrated in our home. She emailed my daughter on her birthday last weekend. So much of Nashville/TN has her explicit and implicit stamp on it. Dolly, like Wu-Tang, is for the children," another person said.

What can you say about Dolly Parton's generosity? Let us know your thoughts, and pass this on to your family and friends who are fans of the singer!