CONCORD, N.C. – This weekend, all four Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro ZL1s will once again feature #CAREolinas decals to help raise awareness for ongoing recovery efforts in both North and South Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.
At CAREolinas.com, a project by Visit North Carolina and Discover South Carolina, donations can be made to support disaster relief, and a special CAREolinas T-shirt can be purchased with 100 percent of the proceeds going to hurricane relief in the Carolinas.
Additionally, The NASCAR Foundation announced that it has partnered with Feed the Children to provide aid and relief to Hurricane Florence victims. Trucks filled with food, hygiene products and cleaning supplies are being deployed in areas of need.
With that in mind, Jimmie Johnson called in to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and made a pledge of $10,000 toward the effort.
“I want to join what’s going on with NASCAR and these trucks that they’re sending down with all the supplies and food in them,” he told the hosts. “(Wife) Chani and myself want to fund and send a truck down there ourselves, so count us in on that.”
Johnson has participated in several disaster relief efforts throughout his career, from the hurricanes in Moore, Oklahoma, to the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Florida just last year.
He has always been struck by how readily the NASCAR community rallies together to help in times of need.
“Our community and the charitable efforts that take place throughout the course of the year and then obviously when disasters strike, it’s always super impressive to me,” Johnson said. “I’m very thankful that the NASCAR community follows their drivers and teams and helps support.”
The driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s for Pros Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 also credits his sponsor, Lowe’s, for jumping in to help at a moment’s notice all across the country. It’s no different this time around with Hurricane Florence.
“I’ve always been so fortunate to have Lowe’s and their efforts in the communities around the United States,” he said. “Lowe’s and their stores have already handed out 3,000 hot meals and 6,000 clean-up buckets in the hardest hit areas. I’m so happy to have my sponsor that cares so much and I’m able to be a part of that.”
The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion is grateful that he is able to help, and he encouraged the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio listeners to join in any way they can.
“It’s just been something I have felt I have a responsibility to be a part of and to do – no one told me to, it’s just something that my wife and I have always been drawn to and just feel we have an obligation to do so,” he said.
“We all contribute in different ways and they’re all very important ways. If somebody out there listening can’t make a financial contribution, there must be another way, and I’m sure people are thinking of that. I encourage people to pursue it, because it all does matter and it all does make a difference.”