Mark Herndon, former drummer of the legendary group Alabama and his wife, country music artist Leah Seawright, are generously pitching in to help families and children in North Carolina who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. This is a cause they both care about tremendously, as they said in an interview recently with Wide Open Country. Mark and Leah have teamed up with an Alabama-based retailer of lost luggage called Unclaimed Baggage, whose philanthropic foundation is Reclaimed for Good, for a holiday stocking drive to benefit these people. They would really love to have your assistance too!
Videos by Wide Open Country
I saw something recently on the news that flabbergasted me. There are residents in North Carolina who were affected by Hurricane Helene in September who are living outdoors in tents in bitterly cold weather. Debris was still strewn on the ground as through the storm roared through mere days ago. Nearly three months after this devastating weather event, the need of so many citizens in North Carolina is as dire and urgent as it was in the immediate aftermath of Helene.
The country music community has responded by vigorously fundraising and offering resources. They are deeply compassionate individuals who have been genuinely moved by the plight of those who lost practically everything. Many have long-standing ties to the Southeast. All of them share Mark and Leah's passion for charitably doing everything they can for North Carolinians in desperate need.
'Forgotten to Fulfilled: A Holiday Hope Project' Is A Stocking Drive That Ends On Saturday, December 14
Don't Wait To Help
The aim of "Forgotten to Fulfilled" is to have 1,000 holiday stockings ready for distribution to North Carolina kids and families. Per a press release, "Individuals can give by purchasing from the Amazon wishlist, by donating monetary gifts or via local drop-off sites. Information about the drive is here."
Please Participate! Here Are Some Great Ways To Help
You can donate stockings, contribute small gifts, toiletries, toys, or handwritten notes. Check out the list of acceptable items here.
Drop-off locations in Alabama are given here.
You can buy items from the Amazon wishlist page here.
Make a monetary donation by clicking here.
You can even send a handwritten note to tell people they have not been forgotten and that you care.
Mark Herndon And Leah Seawright Have Seen The Devastation From Helene First-Hand
They Hope Others Will Join With Them And Get Involved
"These people are living in what looks like a war zone," Mark said to Wide Open Country. He feels that much more can and should be done to assist them. His passion is clear as he speaks about the destruction on North Carolina and the scale of ongoing human suffering.
He added, "It is a travesty how the current administration has more or less forgotten these people and their obligation to help them...This is disgusting. These are good people. They've been deliberately overlooked. The news media refuses to tell it like it is. There are families still in tents. People are dying of exposure."
Mark warmly praised Unclaimed Luggage for their unstinting involvement. "I had no idea they were so charity-minded, so community-minded. What a wonderful organization we kind of stumbled upon, We showed up with a 30-foot trailer and a truck [to load with donations]. There was enough stuff there to fill three trailers. Unclaimed Baggage got the ball rolling for us."
Unclaimed Baggage Is Playing A Key Role
This Endeavor Is Bringing People And Organizations Together for A Worthy Cause
Senior Manager of PR and Communications Sonni Hood of Unclaimed Baggage said,"We were honored to link arms with Mark and Leah a few months ago to help with their donation effort." She mentioned that the Reclaimed for Good team began imagining a holiday stocking drive about a month ago. Everyone's goals and eagerness to help aligned and a successful initiative was thus born.
"It's an honor to be able to partner with Mark and Leah in this way," Hood said.
She hopefully envisions this as an annual project. Hood also emphasized that you don't have to be in or around the Alabama area to jump in. Monetary donations are welcome (see link above).
Leah Seawright Pointed Out That Many Residents Of North Carolina Are Hardy, Self-Sufficient Mountain People; Mark Herndon Agreed
Nevertheless, This Time They Really Need A Hand
Leah said, "They're just tough mountain people. They're making do. They don't ask for anything." Mark agreed. "These are self-sufficient people and they will survive this."
