Central Kentucky priest plans fundraiser featuring rare Maker’s Mark bottle to honor Dolly Parton

A Central Kentucky priest is planning a community fundraiser centered on a rare bottle of Maker’s Mark whiskey as a tribute to Dolly Parton, according to LEX18. The effort is being organized by Father Jim Sichko, who said the event is intended to recognize Parton while bringing people together for a charitable cause.

LEX18 reports that the centerpiece of the fundraiser is the rare Maker’s Mark bottle, which will be used in a way that links local community participation to the tribute. The report does not describe the specific prize format, ticket sales structure, or the organization or program the proceeds will support.

Parton, a longtime Kentucky connection through her music and her ties to the region, is the subject of the planned honor. In the description of the fundraiser, Sichko’s stated rationale is framed around creating a shared community moment that pairs the tribute with a recognizable Kentucky brand.

Maker’s Mark is produced in Kentucky, and the report’s focus on a rare bottle underscores the event’s emphasis on local identity. As of publication of the LEX18 report on Aug. 26, the project is still in the planning phase, and additional operational details such as the date, venue, and how people can participate were not included in the material provided.

The planned fundraiser also raises practical questions that are typical for community charity events that feature high-value items. Those include how the bottle will be secured and transferred, how any winners or participants will be selected, and what oversight will apply to safeguard funds and ensure that the charitable purpose is carried out as described.

Because the LEX18 report does not specify the charitable recipient(s), the fundraising goal, or any governing rules, readers are likely to need the next round of public information from the organizing church or sponsor before forming a clear picture of how proceeds will be handled. Any public participation would also be expected to comply with applicable Kentucky rules for raffles and charitable solicitations.

For now, the announcement provides the outline of the concept: a Kentucky priest-led fundraiser, anchored by a rare Maker’s Mark bottle, and directed toward a public tribute to Dolly Parton. The next steps appear to involve releasing the logistical details and charity plan so that community members can evaluate participation and understand what the event will support.