Katrina Hurricane Victims in Town

Some of the evacuees from the horrendous hurricane Katrina in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia made their way to the Smokies this week and we’ve been gratified to learn of the generosity and philanthropy of some of the cabin businesses, restaurants, motels and comedy theatres in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

In particular, we want to mention David Fee, one of the owner’s of the Comedy Barn Theater in Pigeon Forge. Known locally as a great place to work, the theater owner’s gifted their employees with huge bonuses at Christmas time, and they are always among the first to come forward with aid when they see help is needed. So it wasn’t a surprise that their theater made the news again when they hosted a number of families who fled from Katrina and came here for solace and safety.

David Fee announced that a check for $10,000 was on its way to the Red Cross, and he extended free access to the theater to any resident of the storm if they show a driver’s license. The Free ticket offer is open until September 12th.

Fee said, “So many evacuees were in our theaters last night that after talking to them, we decided that we had to do something to help. Two families in particular came to our show last night after driving all day from New Orleans. They believed that they had lost everything and decided that they needed a laugh so they came to The Comedy Barn Theater.” Fee put them up in a chalet and provided them with theater tickets for an entire week.

“The Comedy Barn Theater is all about laughter, and it is a unique gift we can give to people in pain,” Fee said. We certainly agree with that and commend Fee for extending his hand to these families and for the theater’s continuing generosity.