The wood products industry is continuing efforts to help devastated communities rebuild and recover after Hurricane Helene and the resulting flooding.
Hooker Furnishings in Martinsville, Virginia, is supporting relief efforts for the communities devastated by Hurricane Helene, with a focus on its home states of North Carolina and Virginia. The company is partnering with local nonprofit organizations to provide immediate aid and long-term recovery assistance.
“We are deeply saddened by the devastation impacting the Mid-Atlantic communities, especially here in our home states of North Carolina and Virginia — areas we proudly call home,” said Jeremy Hoff, CEO of Hooker Furnishings. “The destruction caused by Hurricane Helene has affected so many, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted during this difficult time. We are immensely grateful for the first responders and local organizations who are leading the relief efforts.
“At Hooker Furnishings, we are committed to doing our part to help our neighbors rebuild and recover,” he continued. “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.”
As part of its relief initiatives, Hooker Furnishings has launched several philanthropic efforts:
- Samaritan’s Purse Monetary Fundraiser: Hooker Furnishings is making a cash donation to Samaritan’s Purse, an organization based in North Carolina providing immediate relief in the hardest-hit areas. The company has also created a corporate gifting site for employees and industry partners to contribute. Hooker Furnishings will match donations raised by employees through November 1st.
- MANNA Food Bank of Asheville Canned Food Drive: Hooker Furnishings is hosting a month-long canned food drive across all locations. Non-perishable food items will be collected and donated to MANNA Food Bank, which will distribute the donations to communities and emergency responders in need across Western North Carolina. The drive will conclude on November 1st, with contributions sent to MANNA’s partner agencies.
- Support for Hooker Furnishings Employees: The company’s HR team is organizing a collection of non-perishable items for employees directly affected by the hurricane. Essential items such as food, water, and sanitation supplies are being gathered at Hooker Furnishings’ Martinsville, Virginia and High Point, North Carolina offices, which will be delivered to those in need.
Hooker Furnishings encourages its partners and the wider home furnishings industry to join in supporting these efforts, demonstrating the power of unity in the face of adversity.
Lowe's is donating $2 million to support relief efforts in response to the catastrophic and multi-state impact of Hurricane Helene. Lowe's donation will assist its nonprofit partners and first responders, helping these organizations respond to critical needs like emergency shelter, food, and water while also supporting long-term rebuilding and recovery.
Lowe's stores will host relief events to distribute cleanup supplies in more than 25 communities across the affected regions. The company is also working closely with first responders to distribute relief supplies and donate much-needed products, like water, chainsaws, and generators.
Lowe's has already deployed more than 150 Emergency Response Team members to support the hard-hit areas around Valdosta, Georgia; Lake City, Florida; and Western North Carolina. These specially trained associates voluntarily leave their home stores to provide additional customer support at impacted stores, which gives fellow associates the time to focus on their families.
Lowe's continues to assist to help associates. The company deployed shower and laundry trailers, as well as portable toilets and handwashing stations to help its associates in areas currently without water in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Teams are also shipping meals, water and gas for associates.
Visit Lowe's Newsroom for updates on Lowe's relief events and continued support. For cleanup, repair and rebuilding support, visit Lowes.com.
Paper Excellence Group companies Domtar Corporation and Resolute Forest Products announced $100,000 in financial support to assist four local communities following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
Several communities where Paper Excellence Group operates facilities were in the path of the powerful storm, affecting employees and their loved ones.
Company representatives worked in collaboration with community officials to identify four charitable organizations that provide direct aid to hurricane victims in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
The company is donating $25,000 to each of the following organizations to provide localized aid:
Cross City Restore and Renew (Cross City, Florida)
Tabitha's Table (Jesup, Georgia)
USO/National Guard (South Carolina and North Carolina)
RegionAHEAD (Kingsport, Tennessee)
Additionally, Resolute Tissue is donating 10 pallets of tissue products for eastern Tennessee residents, which includes 11,520 rolls of Harmony bath tissue and 3,360 rolls of Harmony paper towel.
Company employees in Fort Mill and Bennettsville, South Carolina, are organizing food and supply drives to support communities in western North Carolina and other areas.
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