Archived Outdoors

Friends of the Smokies telethon tops $200,000

Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park raised $201,209 through its 17th annual “Friends Across the Mountains” telethon — topping the $200,000 mark for the sixth year in a row.  

The total for all “Friends Across the Mountains” telethons since 1995 is now nearly $2.5 million.

“For 17 years telethon funding has protected wildlife, strengthened park environmental education programs, and improved our visitors’ experiences in so many ways,” said an appreciative Dale Ditmanson, superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Donations came in from Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and, even, Texas. The event was broadcast on Knoxville’s WBIR-TV and Asheville’s WLOS-TV, plus webcast, as well.

Since 1993, the not-for-profit Friends of the Smokies organization has raised more than $34 million to benefit the park.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.