×

Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 12658
Archived Outdoors

Telethon draws support for national park

Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park raised more than $200,000 through its “Friends Across the Mountains” telethon this year, thanks to hundreds of callers and help from sponsors.

The money will fund more than $1 million of park improvements this year, to protect black bears, heal hemlock trees, and preserve historic log cabins and churches from Cades Cove to Cataloochee Valley.

Since 1995, Friends of the Smokies telethons have raised more than $2.9 million.

During the broadcast, Sugarland Cellars owner Don Collier presented a $20,000 check to the organization. Other sponsors include Dollywood, Mast General Store, Pilot Corporation and SmartBank. 

“The generous response to this year’s ‘Friends Across the Mountains’ telethon is a continuing testimony to the love that people have for the Smokies and how very important it is to our region,” says Friends of the Smokies President Jim Hart.

Telethon donations can still be made online at www.friendsofthesmokies.org.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.