Readers,
Welcome to this week’s edition of the NCFREE Newsletter. Two weeks ago, we highlighted many of the tremendous efforts displayed by North Carolina companies following the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Today, we are continuing in the same vein, showcasing more companies whose efforts have been nothing short of incredible.
To kick off, we are going to share a letter to our readers from Lori Kroll of HCA Healthcare, and then we will dive into highlights from more companies, though not comprehensive, who have led the way to recovery from Hurricane Helene.
Dear Friends of NCFREE,
I wanted to share with you the incredible work HCA Healthcare and Mission Health have been doing in North Carolina in response to Hurricane Helene. As the largest employer and provider of healthcare in the region, Mission Health has remained a vital source of care and stability for the community during this challenging time.
Thanks to the dedication and tireless efforts of our staff, physicians, and the support from HCA Healthcare, all of Mission Health’s hospitals stayed operational throughout the storm. This was no small feat, and we’re incredibly proud of the resilience shown by our teams. At Mission Hospital in Asheville alone, more than 3,400 patients were cared for, and over 70 babies were delivered in the two weeks following the hurricane. Across our clinics and community hospitals, another 5,000 patients received care in the same period.
In addition to our local teams, hundreds of HCA Healthcare colleagues from across the country traveled to Western North Carolina to provide much-needed support. Despite the challenges, including the loss of municipal water, HCA Healthcare engineers quickly sprang into action. They developed a system that allowed us to bring in more than 200,000 gallons of potable water daily by digging wells and using tanker trucks to pressurize the water into Mission Hospital, ensuring continuous and safe patient care. In Spruce Pine, they even implemented an above-ground septic system, allowing the community hospital to remain operational despite the absence of city water and sewer services.
HCA Healthcare has also focused on caring for our teams, many of whom were facing their own personal struggles. Supplies were airlifted in, and mobile units were set up to provide essential services like kitchens, bathrooms, showers, and handwashing stations. We also established “markets” at 11 of our WNC facilities, offering free food, water, ice, toiletries, gasoline, and more to our colleagues and their families.
I’m also proud to share that, in just the first two weeks following the hurricane, over $1.6 million in emergency funding from the HCA Healthcare Hope Fund was distributed to colleagues in need. The Hope Fund is an employee-run, employee-supported 501(c)(3) charity, and it has been an essential lifeline for so many. Additionally, HCA Healthcare has contributed $1 million toward disaster relief efforts in Western North Carolina, further demonstrating our commitment to supporting the communities we serve.
Thank you for your continued support of Mission Health and HCA Healthcare. It’s through efforts like these—and alongside partners like Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Walmart, and Duke Energy, who each went above and beyond to support us in the immediate aftermath of Helene—that we’re able to stand strong and help rebuild after such devastating events.
Warm regards,
Lori Kroll
Vice President, Government Relations
Mission Health, HCA Healthcare
NC Home Builders Association
The NC Home Builders Educational and Charitable Foundation has pledged $100,000 for hurricane recovery, and members have raised over $300,000 to support the rebuilding of Western North Carolina. The foundation is accepting grant applications for affected members and has partnered with the US Veterans Corps to deliver supplies and aid recovery efforts.
Comerica
Comerica Bank has contributed $25,000 to Samaritan’s Purse and plans further support through the Red Cross, bolstering relief efforts across North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida following Hurricane Helene.
North Carolina Healthcare Association
The NC Healthcare Foundation has activated its Disaster Relief Fund to support hospital employees and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic flooding. Funds will assist healthcare workers on the front lines of the disaster while providing aid to local residents facing the challenges of rebuilding. Donations to the fund will directly support recovery efforts in Western North Carolina.
American Airlines
American Airlines was the first commercial carrier to resume service at Asheville Regional Airport post-Hurricane Helene. The airline has capped fares, transported supplies, and sent additional staff to support airport operations. AAdvantage® members have donated over $4 million to the Red Cross, and American contributed 10 million AAdvantage® miles to Airlink for disaster relief.
The Budd Group
The Budd Group has mobilized teams to deliver essential supplies to Avery, Haywood, Rutherford, Buncombe, and Mitchell counties in response to Hurricane Helene. From water and cleaning products to direct community support, the company is committed to assisting those affected across Western North Carolina.
NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers
The NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, along with national partners, has donated $75,000 to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund to aid Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Member companies have also delivered hundreds of thousands of bottles and cans of water to affected communities.
Atrium Health
Atrium Health deployed its MED-1 mobile hospital to Tryon, North Carolina, providing essential healthcare services to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. This mobile hospital offers comprehensive care, including x-rays, ultrasounds, and a 14-bed acute care unit, ensuring critical medical needs are met in disaster-stricken areas.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s has committed $2 million to hurricane relief efforts, distributing cleanup supplies to over 25 communities and providing support to first responders. Their Emergency Command Center mobilized teams to supply essential items like generators, chainsaws, and water, while also providing financial assistance to employees affected by the storm.
Truist
Truist Foundation has donated another $500,000 to disaster recovery efforts, bringing its total contributions to $1 million. Funds will support restoring infrastructure, providing Wi-Fi hotspots, and addressing urgent needs like food and medical care. Truist continues to partner with organizations on the ground in Western North Carolina and other impacted areas.
Albemarle
Albemarle Corporation is supporting local disaster relief efforts in Kings Mountain and surrounding Western NC communities following Hurricane Helene. The Albemarle Foundation has partnered with the Red Cross and local organizations, providing essential supplies, generator use, and financial assistance through the Albemarle Care Fund to employees affected by the storm.
NC Electric Cooperatives
North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have deployed over 500 lineworkers from 30 states to restore power to the 236,000 customers left in the dark after Hurricane Helene. Facing unprecedented damage, crews have been rebuilding electrical infrastructure across the rugged mountain terrain, with support from cooperatives nationwide to bring communities back online.
Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter has launched a Round Up campaign through October 28 to support the American Red Cross’s Hurricane Helene disaster relief efforts. Customers can round up purchases to donate, with 100% of proceeds going directly to aid impacted communities. Harris Teeter is committed to helping those affected by the storm.
North Carolina’s private sector remains at the forefront of disaster recovery, delivering essential resources and support to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Through swift, coordinated action, these businesses are making a profound difference in the state’s rebuilding efforts. While this list highlights many significant contributions, it’s far from comprehensive. Charitable organizations like Samaritan’s Purse, another key player in the recovery, further showcase how the private sector has risen to the challenge, providing vital aid in the wake of this devastating storm.
Reminder: NCFREE’s Post-Election Leadership Luncheon on Nov. 20
This year’s Leadership Luncheon will bring together the top political, business, and government affairs leaders in the state for a special afternoon filled with networking, delicious food, and top-notch political intel following the 2024 election.
We are excited to announce that Senator Phil Berger and House Rules Chairman Destin Hall will be joining us, and we also hope to have the 76th Governor of North Carolina.
We currently have sponsorships available, so please reach out to Isabelle Powell at isabelle@ncfree.org if you or your company are interested in sponsoring.
We plan to release individual tickets on November 4, pending remaining availability.
The Leadership Luncheon is NCFREE’s largest event of the year and funds a significant portion of the NCFREE budget. All donations to NCFREE as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Thank you considering the purchase of a sponsorship to further NCFREE’s mission.
Thank you for reading, and we hope you enjoyed this edition of NCFREE’s newsletter. Please reach out to us with any questions, and stay tuned for more exciting updates from NCFREE soon.
Sincerely,
Alex Baltzegar
Executive Director
NC FreeEnterprise Foundation
M: (210) 906-9405