In order to assist in providing 17 temporary houses to families affected by Hurricane Helene earlier this year, NASCAR partnered with Lowe’s, a well-known home improvement firm. The category 4 hurricane had a significant impact on the state of North Carolina, and shortly before Christmas, NASCAR volunteered to help individuals in need.
The modest dwellings are being delivered throughout North Carolina, and 100 temporary homes were built in Charlotte thanks to a $12 million contribution. With the assistance of equipment transporters who are off duty during the off-season, NASCAR promised to deliver the last 17 homes by Christmas Eve.
The Bristol Motor Speedway served as a disaster relief center, and the NASCAR community was heavily involved in helping families. According to a statement issued by the NBA legend, Michael Jordan and his NASCAR team 23XI Racing gave $1 million in September. “Our hearts go out to everyone suffering from Hurricane Helene’s devastation,” Jordan stated.
“23XI Racing and I are honored to support the NC Disaster Relief Fund and Second Harvest of Metrolina as they help rebuild luves, restore hope and ensure that those affected receive the assistance they need.”As a proud North Carolinian, I can attest to the fortitude and resiliency of the people in this state, and we will overcome this together, even though the healing process will take a long time.”
After first shipping 67 temporary structures, Lowe’s intended to send the remaining ones by early January. The temporary homes can accommodate up to four people. However, NASCAR took the initiative to guarantee that the remaining residences were delivered before December 25. Following the disaster, 19-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner Greg Biffle used a helicopter to transport aid to those in more rural regions.
Lowe’s provided funding when Kelly McArdle Construction came up with the concept for the temporary residences. According to Julie Yenichek, Lowe’s senior director of community relations, “from a Lowe’s standpoint, we said: ‘Okay, if you can bring the builders, we can bring the products,’ and so that’s how we got involved,” stated ABC News.
As recently as December 12, 400 skilled workers donated their time to start construction. “It’s so important that they stay on their existing land so that they can rebuild so that they can make sure that their kids are still on the bus route so that they can have some form of normalcy,” Yenichek said. Many families are still homeless even if the heartwarming gesture helped others get through a difficult finish to 2024.
Nearly three months have passed since Helene, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that over 5,000 families are still staying in hotel rooms and another 500 are staying in rental units. With no other options, many more still reside in homes that have been devastated.
The rehabilitation process is underway, but EMA continues to communicate with commercial parks in an effort to put additional units for families in need. For more than 140,000 households and individuals starting their rehabilitation, $279 million has been approved, according to News 13.
The funds will be used for rent and apartment expenses. with order to aid with community rehabilitation, $307 million in Public Assistance money has also been authorized. The U.S. Small Business Administration is also taking applications for low-interest loans; so far, $6.6 million has been given out.
