Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney donate to wildfire fund

Taylor Swift performs on the eve of the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at Circuit of the Americas, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in Austin, Texas. (Darron Cummings/AP)

NASHVILLE -- Artists and organizations in Music City are stepping up to help their neighbours after devastating wildfires damaged about 2,500 buildings and caused 14 deaths in the Gatlinburg area.

Country star Kenny Chesney and the Country Music Association announced Friday they are collectively donating $500,000 to the Dolly Parton Foundation My People Fund, which was created to provide $1,000 each month to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the wildfires.

Also, the Academy of Country Music announced that pop star Taylor Swift has joined the country music organization to collectively donate $200,000 to the My People Fund.

Parton is holding a telethon on Dec. 13 to raise more money for the fund.