Joy to the Carolinas Brings Holiday Cheer to Hurricane Helene Impacted Region

The Coca-Cola Consolidated Response Team has been providing boots on the ground to assist with clean up and volunteer support since Hurricane Helene; support that was going on even during Joy to the Carolinas this week with food pantries to serve volunteers and helping clean up debris. Response Team members also spent time clearing debris at both W.D. Williams Elementary School and North Cove Elementary School this week.

Being able to take a day to bring a smile to the children of the area though was rewarding in a whole new way.

At an intimate reception Wednesday evening at The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, Panthers, and Coca-Cola Consolidated hosted nearly 300 special guests comprised of DNTF and Panthers Charities community partners including MANNA Foodbank, World Central Kitchen, Global Empowerment Mission, the American Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, and Team Rubicon, and Coca-Cola Consolidated community partners including Haywood Christian Ministry and Biltmore Church, in addition to first responders and additional nonprofit organizations, all of whom have worked tirelessly to address the immediate and long-term needs of the region following Hurricane Helene.

Before dinner, guests heard from David and Nicole Tepper and Coca-Cola Consolidated’s Heather Hucks. They also enjoyed a special appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Panthers Legends Stewart and Moore were also in attendance.

“We knew we had to do it for this community,” said David Tepper at the reception. “We’re here today, we’re here with you today – and just for the people in the room, everybody here, the people who live here, the first responders, we’ll be here with you tomorrow. There’s the first day, the next day, the next day, and the next day.”