Monetary donations being sought

The National Park Service announced that the Townsend, Tenn., entrance to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has re-opened for visitors Thursday. Both the Cades Cove and Oconoluftee Visitor Centers in North Carolina have re-opened.

“We express deep sympathy for all the citizens in Sevier County for their loss and disruption of their lives during this week’s fires,” said Kim Mitchell, Director of Tourism for Blount County. “We vow to help with volunteer relief efforts. Currently the need is for monetary donations rather than physical supplies. We are asking anyone that can donate to please do and show the great volunteer spirit of this state.”

In addition, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and trails remain closed from the Gatlinburg entrance along Highway 411 to Smokemont, near Cherokee, N.C.

Places taking monetary donations include:

Gatinburg Relief Fund

SmartBank

P.O. Box 1910

Pigeon Forge, TN 37868

Call 865-453-2650 for more information.

American Red Cross

Call 865-862-3519 to donate

People can make a $10 donation by texting “REDCROSS” to 90999.

Dollywood

Online donation at Dollywoodfoundation.org