Sevierville, TN (Top40 Charts/ Dr. Robert F.
Thomas Foundation) - On the heels of last year's record-breaking $75,000 winning bid for her Backwoods Barbie-Q, entertainment legend
Dolly Parton is offering a Backwoods Barbie-Q II for the Dr. Robert F.
Thomas Foundation's annual Evening of Elegance fundraiser on Aug. 14.
'I never in my wildest dreams imagined anybody paying $75,000 to eat supper with me,' Parton said. 'Due to the generosity of some real fine folks, we raised a lot of money for the Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation, which is very near and dear to my heart. So I'm offering up my Backwoods Barbie-Q II this year with hopes that we can raise a lot more money to help improve healthcare in Sevier County.'
For the Backwoods Barbie-Q II live auction item, the winning bidder and a guest will arrive at 5 p.m. at Parton's Tennessee Mountain Home, her Sevierville home which was immortalized in the song of the same title. That evening, the winner can invite an additional 10 guests for a private tour of Parton's residence followed by a barbeque on the grounds with bluegrass entertainment, all hosted by Parton. The winner and a guest will spend the night in Parton's guest cottage, located next door to the Tennessee Mountain Home. At 9 a.m. the following morning, Parton will prepare and serve a country-style breakfast to the winner and a guest.
It is only the second time in history that Parton has offered such access to her private residence.
'Dolly absolutely wowed last year's winning bidders with a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience at her Tennessee Mountain Home,' said Deborah Dowling, Executive Director of The Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation. 'Dolly exceeded everyone's expectation, as she always does, so we know going into this year's auction that the Backwoods Barbie-Q II is a rare and much anticipated event that will be highly sought after at our Evening of Elegance event.'
Tabitha Hall and Sabrina Taylor, last year's winning bidders, agree that the Backwoods Barbie-Q was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. 'It was beyond incredible,' Hall said. 'To see Dolly's Tennessee Mountain Home through her eyes was beyond my expectations.' Taylor added, 'We pushed our plates back, sat on the lawn and swapped stories with one of the best storytellers in the world. The Backwoods Barbie-Q was a moment in time that we'll never forget!'
Evening of Elegance takes place at the Mills Auditorium in Gatlinburg at 6 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2010.
Parton, one of the many babies delivered by Dr. Thomas, is the foundation's honorary chairperson.
Established in 1983, the not-for-profit Dr. Robert F. Thomas Foundation continues the legacy of the man who came to Sevier County in 1926 to serve in the dual role of minister and family physician.
The foundation's mission is to help expand the range and quality of health care services available in Sevier County, including a $10 million capital campaign to fund the construction of the new LeConte Medical Center which opened in February.
