Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union’s™ partnerships with Dolly Parton’s businesses and affiliates are extensive and impactful. One of the most significant partnerships came after the devastating 2016 Great Smoky Mountains wildfires. As families across Sevier County faced the loss of their homes, Dolly created the My People Fund to provide direct financial support to those affected. KTVAECU® served as the financial institution that helped distribute assistance checks to affected families.
That shared commitment to East Tennessee families continues today. KTVAECU annually supports the Kids Activity Area with the “Jingle Bell Ornaments” sponsorship for the Fantasy of Trees, the primary fundraiser for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, which today bears Dolly’s name. This year, we expanded our Kids Activity Area sponsorship to include “Furry Friends.” This sponsorship directly impacts our Members and community, as Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital is one of only four state-certified Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Centers in Tennessee.
Our connection to Dolly’s work also extends to literacy. We frequently work with Direct Mail Services, a local, woman-owned company that mails hundreds of books each month as part of Dolly’s Imagination Library. In honor of Dolly’s work to promote literacy, we also made a monetary donation to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. In addition, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, we created a dedicated account for Members to easily make donations to the Imagination Library directly through our mobile app.
Dolly’s impact reaches inside the Credit Union, too. KTVAECU’s annual Celebration Day has brought together all our employees at Dollywood on two occasions to recognize achievements, show appreciation, and build teams. Discounted tickets have also given employees opportunities to enjoy Dollywood with family and friends. That connection has extended to our Board through retreats at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, where our leaders stepped away from day-to-day business to focus on the future of the Credit Union.
Dolly’s impact isn’t tied to one moment. We’ve seen it in times when East Tennessee needed help and in experiences that brought our own people together. Her commitment to the place we call home reflects the same People Helping People philosophy that has guided KTVAECU for generations.
