Introduction
Dolly Parton’s $500 Promise That Changed an Entire County
In the early 1990s, Sevier County, Tennessee — the place Dolly Parton proudly calls home — was facing a heartbreaking crisis. More than 30% of local students were dropping out of high school, their futures slipping away before they even began.
But in 1991, Dolly decided to do something about it.
Through what became known as The Buddy Program, she gave seventh- and eighth-grade students a simple but powerful challenge: find a buddy, make a promise, and stick together until graduation. If both students kept their word and finished high school, each would receive $500 from Dolly herself.
It wasn’t about the money — it was about belief.
According to the Dollywood Foundation, dropout rates for those two classes plummeted from over 30% to just 6%. The Buddy Program didn’t just change statistics — it changed lives. It inspired schools and community leaders across Sevier County to build new programs and supports to help students stay the course.
What started as a small act of kindness became a movement — a living example of Dolly Parton’s lifelong message:
“If you see someone without a smile, give them yours.”
In this case, she gave them something even bigger — hope, opportunity, and a reason to believe in themselves.