A benefit concert in Charlotte over the weekend starring country music singers Luke Combs and Eric Church raised at least $24.5 million for disaster relief efforts in western North Carolina.
Over 80,000 people attended the Concert for Carolina on Saturday night, which featured artists including James Taylor, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, Bailey Zimmerman, Scotty McCreery, Chase Rice, The Avett Brothers and Parmalee.
The Teppers and the Panthers donated the Bank of America Stadium for the concert for free. The concert ended at around 2 am and was initially delayed due to weather.
“It’s been a monumental effort on so many people’s lives to make this show happen,” said Combs, a native of North Carolina. “28 days ago, we put together this show that should have taken a year and a half to put together.”
All of the nearly $25 million raised will be split between Combs and Church to go to Hurricane Helene relief efforts of their choosing. Combs’ share will reportedly be distributed among Samaritan’s Purse, Manna Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina.
Eric Church relvealed plans to build 100 homes for families displaced around Avery County with the funds through his organization Chief Cares. Church called the project “Blueprint for the Blue Ridge” and said it will enable people to remain in their communities to by putting a roof over their heads to let them continue interacting in and rebuilding their towns.
“I come from the mountains of North Carolina,” Church said in the video message. “It’s what made me. It’s my home. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for the people there and the influence they had on me. I wouldn’t make the music that I make if it weren’t for the people there and the influence they had on me.”
Chiefs Care is currently directing all of its charitable efforts to the communities who were directly impacted by the destruction from Hurricane Helene.