Great Smoky Mountains National Park Telethon and Fundraising

Submitted by Holly Scott, Friends of the Smokies Every year in August, we hold the only telethon (that we know about) to help preserve and protect a national park. Even if you're not in the viewing area of Asheville's WLOS-TV or WBIR-TV in Knoxville, your support for the 17th Annual Friends Across the Mountains Telethon can make a big difference in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Click here to give today via our secure website. Because you love the Smokies, we know you'll enjoy reading these stories of generosity toward the Park that's meant so much to all of us.

We Know the Smokies Are Unforgettable- And Here's How! Angela and Doug I wanted to share with you three messages that I recently received. "Dear Friends -- This morning, I logged on to Friends of the Smokies and purchased an annual membership at the $100.00 level. My partner and I spent a wonderful week in the park June 17-24 and are still talking about how beautiful it was!  The first experience for both of us. Each day brought a new adventure: a sunset drive through Cades Cove; walking through a thick and mysterious fog to reach the summit at Clingman's Dome; a silent and primieval-feeling hike out to Andrew's Bald to see the flame azaleas; seeing a bear (from a safe distance!) at Laurel Falls; synchronous fireflies (who knew?!) at Chimney Tops; owl and deer along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail; the decaying beauty of the once vibrant cottage community at Elkmont; and MORE! It seemed, however, that each and every time we passed a donation box...neither of us had any bills to contribute!  I did feel awful about that, and wanted to make it right, as I know now that GSMNP will be a place we return to again and again. It is a special place, and what a joy and gift to be able to experience it up-close. We also watched on with fascination and untold appreciation as a VERY hard-working crew were chiselling rock and laying BY HAND a new section of trail from the Clingman's Dome parking lot out to Andrew's Bald. And here I'd just thought all of those wonderful stone steps had popped up naturally from the earth, carved by Mother Nature!  To see these men and women out there in the mud and muck and hot sun working so hard, but also clearly LOVING what they do.....wow.  That, alone, is more than worth $100.00!! Thank you so much for all you are doing to help protect and preserve this amazing space so that generations can continue to enjoy it! Jay Aldrich in 201 -Angela Holton & Doug Smith And from Trails Forever volunteer Jay Aldrich- "Being part of the Friends of the Smokies has been one of the most rewarding associations we have been involved in throughout our lifetime.  We have already worked with Trails Forever in 2010 and then in 2011 we have so far spent 6 days on the Forney Ridge Trail near Clingman's Dome. One must walk this trail to see the amazing work and effort that has gone into getting this trail into the condition it is today.  It is mind boggling as one hikes down the trail and doesn't even realize that the steps with the enormous rocks have not been there forever. The Trails Forever Project is one way each of us can be absolutely be sure that our trails in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park will be here for generations to come.  Why would anyone who uses these trails not want to see them exist for their children and their children's children.  We all have a responsibility to see that the Great Smoky Mountain National Park be the most pristine park in the NPS system. The FOTS does just that by helping the park with a crew and allowing volunteers to be part of the future. Thank you, FOTS for everything you do and we are proud to be part of this association. You know that you can always count on us to help this great national treasure!" And finally, from JBThomasWalker - "The only reason I ever wanted to be rich was to be able to give to others. I wish I had ten million dollars to give to GSMNP! I could never repay the joy and serenity the Park has given me on my many, many trips there.   The first time I ever visited the Smokies at age almost eight, I hid in the woods behind our rental cabin in Gatlinburg in hopes that my family would leave me there to live.   When my Dad finally found me, he was sweet and understanding, not angry at all. He asked how I intended to live, what would I do when winter came and it got cold? `The mountains will take care of me,' I said.   And though I've never lived there, indeed the mountains have "taken care" of me in both joyous (including my honeymoon) and sad times since that trip back in the early 1950's. I wish I could watch the telethon, but I live in the Nashville area. (Have you ever thought of broadcasting it in Nashville also...almost everyone in Middle TN visits the Smokies often, and we consider them "our" mountains, too. I'm sure many people here would contribute.)  I hope you raise tons and tons of money for the Smokies!"  - Jane" People from all parts of the country, and all walks of life cherish the memories they've made in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The August 11th Friends Telethon at 7:00 p.m. on WBIR-TV and WLOS-TV will tell you about even more fantastic Smoky Mountain memories.  Tune in Thursday night if you can, but please consider a gift of support today!

Thank you for caring about Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and helping us to care for it, too. And while you're at it, enjoy this fabulous story that aired on WBIR about a 100-year-old camper who just thrills at the chance to spend time with her family in Smokemont Campground!  http://www.wbir.com/news/article/178787/8/Even-at-100-years-old-Ottie-Roberson-is-a-happy-camper Ottie Roberson's profile on WBIR-TV