Gatlinburg SkyLift Park Raises $71,000 for Tornado Relief With “Lift Up Our Neighbors” Auction

GATLINBURG, Tenn. — The Gatlinburg SkyLift Park team is thrilled to announce that its “Lift Up Our Neighbors” auction has raised more than $71,000 for tornado relief in Tennessee and Kentucky. The December 17-27, 2021, fundraiser included the auction of 11 SkyLift chairs that survived the 2016 wildfires, as well as donations from ticket sales.

Each of the iconic lift chairs sold within seven hours—and for the maximum "bid to buy" amount of $3,000. In addition to the funds raised by the auction, $1 per ticket sold from December 16 - 22, 2021, went to tornado relief efforts. All funds were distributed to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Reelfoot Rural Ministries of West Tennessee, and The Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund.

“The tornado disaster in Kentucky and Tennessee really resonated with us at the SkyLift Park, and in Gatlinburg in general,” said Marcus Watson, administrative director of SkyLift Park. “It reminded us of everything we went through in the aftermath of the wildfires, and how so many various areas helped us without question. That experience motivated us to help others who couldn’t help themselves in such a dark time.

“It was especially meaningful to us knowing that SkyLift Park and the Gatlinburg area are a home away from home, a safe haven, for a lot of folks from these areas who come here year after year,” Watson said.  “Because our attraction has been around for almost 70 years, we see many of the same visitors every year, introducing new generations to the natural wonders and the great community of Gatlinburg. Our connection to these folks is strong, and we are grateful to have been able to help out in this way.”

About Gatlinburg SkyLift Park

Founded in 1954, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park offers stunning views and unforgettable experiences in East Tennessee. The Gatlinburg SkyLift carries guests from the heart of town up five hundred vertical feet to the top of Crockett Mountain. Renovated in 2019, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park now offers a SkyDeck observation area and SkyBridge—the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America—to the millions of people who visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year. For more information, visit www.gatlinburgskylift.com.

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