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Eric Church, country music star and North Carolina native, has stepped up in a significant way to help communities affected by the devastating Hurricane Helene.
Beyond performing for a packed stadium at the recentConcert for Carolina,Church announced that he would use his nonprofit, Chief Cares, to spearhead a rebuilding initiative focused on providing lasting support to hurricane-impacted areas.
His commitment to the long-term restoration of these communities reflects his deep connection to his home state and a mission that goes beyond temporary aid.
In a video message shown at the concert and shared on the Chief Cares Foundation website, Church outlined his vision for sustained support, aiming to rebuild homes, businesses, and lives in Avery County and other areas severely impacted by the hurricane.
The initiative, known asBlueprint for the Blue Ridge,not only aims to provide immediate housing but also supports the economic and social recovery of the entire community. Let’s take a deeper look!
Eric Church’s Long-Term Vision for North Carolina’s Recovery
In the wake ofHurricane Helene, many organizations and individuals quickly contributed to emergency aid for impacted communities.
However, Church’s approach stands out for its emphasis on sustained, local recovery. ThroughBlueprint for the Blue Ridge,Chief Careswill first construct 100 homes in Avery County, a mountainous region close to Church’s heart and one of the areas hardest hit by the storm.
The plan involves not just home construction but fostering local resilience bysupportinglocal businesses, schools, and infrastructure.
Church believes in the strength of communities and noted that in times of crisis, neighboring areas often rally together. Yet, Hurricane Helene left entire regions without such support, as neighboring communities were devastated as well.
“When Hurricane Helene happened, it devastated those communities,” Church said.
“These are hard-working, poor communities that rely on each other. And any time a community needs help, it’s always the community next door that comes running in to help. And there are no communities next door. They’ve all been devastated.”
Blueprint for the Blue Ridge Initiative
ThroughBlueprint for the Blue Ridge,Church aims to become that “community next door” for areas with no one else to turn to.
His foundation has already taken immediate actions, such as setting up temporary shower facilities for residents whose water systems were damaged and distributing essential supplies like toiletries, clothing, and shelter.
But beyond immediate needs, Church’s initiative is built for the long haul. Church also announced he will be contributing his publishing royalties from a new song, “Darkest Hour,” toward the cause.
This gesture is part of a broader strategy to support North Carolina’s journey from emergency relief to full recovery, creating a lasting impact. “I hope it’s a lot more than 100 homes,” Church added, emphasizing that Chief Cares is dedicated not only to housing but to rebuilding communities.
The Concert for Carolina: A Star-Studded Fundraiser
Held at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium on October 26,The Concert for Carolinabrought together some of country music’s biggest names, with all proceeds going to help the Carolina region’s hurricane-affected residents.
The event, organized by Church and fellow North Carolina nativeLuke Combs, raised a staggering $24.5 million. Over 82,000 fans packed the stadium, drawn by an incredible lineup of artists including James Taylor, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, Bailey Zimmerman, and more.
David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, and his wife, Nicole, generouslydonatedthe stadium for the concert, allowing more funds to flow directly to relief efforts.
Nicole Tepper shared her excitement, saying, “When Luke first approached us with the idea for a concert benefiting relief efforts in the region, we felt compelled to open the doors of Bank of America Stadium for this special moment.”
In addition to the live show, fans were able to tune in through a live stream on Veeps, contributing to the concert’s impressive fundraising total.
Dolly Parton made a special announcement during the show, revealing a $1 million donation to aid hurricane recovery efforts, funded through her Bezos Courage and CivilityAwardfrom 2022.
Church and Combs have committed the funds raised from the concert to Samaritan’s Purse, Manna Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, and Eblen Charities, as well as Church’sBlueprint for the Blue Ridgeinitiative.
The Devastating Impact of Hurricane Helene
Timeline of Destruction
Hurricane Helene struck the southeast United States in late September, carving a path of destruction through Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
The hurricane, which produced record-breaking flood levels in mountainous areas, has led to an estimated $47.5 billion in damages. In North Carolina, communities along the Appalachian Mountain border were hit particularly hard, with entire towns reportedly “wiped off the map,” according to Governor Roy Cooper.
Humanitarian Crisis in Affected Areas
Many residents in these hard-hit regions are still without access to basic services. Power outages, lack of potable water, and massive propertylosseshave left many families homeless.
Tragically, the hurricane claimed over 220 lives, with hundreds still unaccounted for. The aftermath has been particularly brutal in rural, mountainous areas, where the landscape makes recovery efforts challenging.
Analysts expect the financial toll to climb as recovery continues, and the long-term rebuilding needs are immense.
Other Stars Rally for Hurricane Helene Relief
Alongside Eric Church, several other celebrities and public figures have contributed to hurricane relief efforts, highlighting the unity and generosity of artists from various genres and fields.
Celebrity
Contribution Amount
Beneficiary
Taylor Swift
$5 million
Feeding America
Dolly Parton
$1 million
Chief Cares Foundation
Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds
$1 million
Feeding America’s Disaster Relief Fund
Tom Brady
$100,000 (matched by Gopuff)
Volunteer Florida Foundation
Metallica
$100,000 total
World Central Kitchen, Team Rubicon
Morgan Wallen
$500,000
American Red Cross
The table highlights popular celebrities contributing to the Hurricane Helene Relief
Eric Church’s dedication to the rebuilding of North Carolina’s communities emphasizes the importance of long-term recovery efforts.
The collective support from artists, fans, and local leaders has provided hope and necessary resources for those affected, ensuring that North Carolina communities have the support they need to rebuild and thrive once again.
Conclusion
Eric Church is dedicated to long-term relief for hurricane-affected areas through his Chief Cares Foundation’sBlueprint for the Blue Ridge, starting with the construction of 100 homes in North Carolina.
The benefit concert organized by Church and Luke Combs raised over $24.5 million, with contributions from ticket sales, livestreams, and donations.
Generous donations from both the Teppers and artists like Dolly Parton contributed to the event’s fundraising success.
Hurricane Helene caused extensive destruction, particularly in mountainous North Carolina, leading to over $47 billion in estimated damages.
Numerous celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Metallica, contributed large sums to aid organizations supporting hurricane relief.
The video features news about fundraising efforts by Eric Church and Luke Combs
Last Updated: October 29, 2024
