CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Bank of America Stadium is quiet Friday evening, but just 24 hours later, songs of hope will reverberate to help those impacted by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
“I wanted to do more specifically with awareness, so this song is called ‘Darkest Hour’ and I’m giving this song to the people of North Carolina,” said country artist Eric Church in a recent social media post.
‘Concert for Carolina’ will be livestreamed for free for those directly impacted
North Carolinians Church and Luke Combs coordinated Concert for Carolina where all the proceeds will go to charities on the ground helping victims.
“They’ve been through a lot,” said Samaritan’s Purse response manager Nick Bechert. “In continuing to support local communities, they know that, ‘Hey, we’re going to still be there for you is really reassuring right now,’” he said.
Samaritan’s Purse is headquartered in Boone, one of the many hardest-hit areas. Donated funds since the storm passed have gone towards generators, heaters, winter clothes as well as supplies for their volunteers.
“All of the supplies, the masks, the gloves, everything that’s needed to muck out homes to pull out wet insulation to fix and tarp roofs—all of that, those key items that are needed to continue the recovery work are things that we’re using,” said Bechert.
Combs’ last Charlotte performance drove a significant economic impact on the Queen City, with more than 27,000 hotel rooms sold in Mecklenburg County for one night. The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority says it was one of their top 20 nights for room sales on record. They’re expecting a similar impact with this upcoming concert.
According to Tepper Sports and Entertainment, Ticketmaster waived its fees; profits from ticket sales will go toward participating nonprofits. Food and beverage and merchandise profits will be donated; preferred parking around the stadium will donate 100% of its proceeds to the cause; and an online auction featuring everything from American Airlines miles to autographed sports memorabilia will also help those impacted.
‘All God.’ Yancey County couple survived Helene by floating on their couch
“Those funds on right now that are coming in,” Bechert said. “Everybody that is supporting the concert, amazing; and it really is an answer to prayer. We ask that beyond that financial support to continue to be praying for everybody that’s living in and recovering in western North Carolina,” he said.
Explore Asheville will also have pop-up stands in the concourse where concertgoers can buy items from Asheville-based businesses. The concert starts at 5 p.m.
Watch Gov. Cooper, headliners speak ahead of the concert here:
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