by Efforts range from purchasing food and water to other supplies for families whose lives have been upended by the disaster
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Following the devastation in Western North Carolina and other areas of the Southeast from Hurricane Helene, the industry has started to band together to help those in need.
From providing food and water, furniture and other supplies to donating a portion of sales to help victims and their families, the efforts are giving some temporary relief to families in the areas hardest hit.
For example, Hooker Furnishings announced it is partnering with local nonprofits to provide both immediate aid and long-term recovery assistance. Its efforts include making a cash donation to Samaritan’s Purse. It also has created a corporate gifting site for employees and industry partners to contribute. Hooker Furnishings said it will match donations raised by employees through Nov. 1.
In addition, it is hosting a monthlong canned food drive across all its locations between now and Nov. 1. Such nonperishable items will be donated to Manna Food Bank, which will distribute the food collected to communities and emergency responders in need across Western North Carolina.
The company’s human resources team also is organizing a collection of nonperishable items for company employees impacted by the hurricane. This includes food, water and sanitation supplies that the company is collecting at its Martinsville, Virginia, and High Point, North Carolina, offices. From there, the goods will be delivered to those in need.
“At Hooker Furnishings, we are committed to doing our part to help our neighbors rebuild and recover,” said company CEO Jeremy Hoff. “We are working closely with local nonprofit organizations to provide immediate relief and support, while also assessing how we can contribute to long-term rebuilding efforts. The road ahead is challenging, but we stand united with our neighbors during this difficult time.”
Craftmaster Furniture President Alex Reeves told Home News Now that the company is collaborating with the Hiddenite Fire Department to deliver trucks of relief supplies and also noted that company Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing Suzanne Henderson created T-shirts “for employees and their families to fund the donations we are gathering.” Items the company is collecting between now and Nov. 1 range from bottled water, crackers and other nonperishable foods to toothpaste, flashlights, batteries, socks, blankets, paper towels and more.
“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to our friends, families, communities and customers who are still enduring the catastrophic effects of Helene,” he said. “It’s hard to fathom the destruction and loss of life, as well as livelihoods. It will take a long time, if ever, to recover from the impact.”
He said the company also has reached out to verify the safety and well-being of several dealers in the areas affected.
“Many of these accounts are decades-long customers for Craftmaster and are considered more family than business associates,” he said.
Raleigh, North Carolina-based bespoke interiors brand June St. George said it is offering a selection of its existing product lines named after the western part of North Carolina impacted by the storm.
Founder and Native North Carolinian Ally-Catherine Trenary is donating 20% of the proceeds to groups such as Samaritan’s Purse and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. The company said these groups have been recommended by “her community, friends and employees, who are on the ground and experiencing the hardships brought by Helene firsthand.”
She also said she will match the funds raised through the purchases.
“June St. George is proud to celebrate our Southern heritage; we manufacture our pillows, dog beds and textiles in the South,” Trenary said. “Thankfully, despite widespread power outages and damage, all our team members and their families are safe. Incredibly, our team members who have power have offered to continue to work on our handmade products at home. Their resilience and the power of community they have demonstrated has been a bright spot in the midst of devastation.”
Asheville, North Carolina-based Davis Home Furniture, which reported that it had 2 feet of water in its store, is donating its entire inventory of products, some of which just have water damage and can be dried out, to those in need in Western North Carolina. The giveaway takes place from now through Oct. 20.
“This is a $5 million free furniture giveaway,” Keith Davis said on the company’s Facebook page earlier this week. “Starting today, we will begin moving the entire inventory out of the building and into our parking lot where anyone can take any item for no cost. $5,000 leather sectionals, $6,000 complete bedroom groups, $4,000 complete dining groups — inventory is free.”
“There are so many people in need, and I hope if you are reading this, you will share this with all your friends and do your part to have all of Western North Carolina have somewhere to sleep, or sit or eat tonight,” Davis said.
Efforts to reach Davis Furniture and other retailers in Western North Carolina were unsuccessful as many are still without power and cellphone service, but Home News Now will continue to reach out in the coming days.
Case goods and upholstery manufacturer Chaddock is helping its own by collecting water and food for those in need.
“We established a Chaddock relief fund we announced this week,” said Andrew Crone, chief executive officer, adding that the effort aims primarily to provide food and water and in some cases clothing and transportation assistance to those employees impacted by the storm.
He noted that the Kennedy family that owns the company also has been very supportive with the relief efforts.
“Everybody’s situation is different,” Crone said of the needs of its workers, some of whom live in areas where the storm damage has made water unsafe to drink. “We are trying to make sure that through the Chaddock relief fund we are able to distribute adequate supplies, food and water.”
