CONCORD, N.C. – Friday morning before he headed to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first Bank of America ROVAL 400 practices, Jimmie Johnson made an important stop at a Lowe’s store in Concord, North Carolina.
There, he joined dozens of volunteers as they filled 480 buckets with cleaning supplies to send to the North Carolina coast to help those affected by Hurricane Florence.
“We’re here at the Lowe’s store in Concord, North Carolina, just down the street from the racetrack, and we are working a partnership with the USO and this Lowe’s store, packing these buckets full of cleaning supplies to send down to the Camp Lejeune area,” Johnson explained.
Items included in the buckets included trash bags, dish soap, hand soap, hand sanitizer, flashlights, batteries, bug spray, rubber gloves, face masks, scrub brushes, sponges, cleaning supplies (such as bleach, Windex or vinegar) and gift cards.
Personal notes of encouragement – many written by Johnson himself – were included in each bucket.
“We all know that Hurricane Florence came in, there’s been a lot of devastation, and there’s a lot of cleanup taking place right now,” the driver said. “So, my wife and I have donated a semi truck-load full of these blue buckets that we’re packing here at Lowe’s today. Filling them up, loading the truck, and the truck will arrive there and be passing these things out in a couple days.”
Johnson was encouraged by the turnout to help the cause, and it meant even more that Lowe’s was such a key cog in the effort.
“Through my years, I’ve never seen a corporation care so much about communities nationwide,” Johnson said. “It’s been an interest of mine and I’ve always been able to tag along and be a part of these great programs that Lowe’s has in place.”
“I feel like I’m the fortunate one and the lucky one here to have such a great corporate partner to work with and a corporate partner that cares so much and is always engaged when natural disasters happen.”
Johnson noted that he has worked with the USO many times to help support troops at home and overseas as well as their families. Being able to work with both Lowe’s and the USO in order to aid hurricane relief made Friday’s effort all the more special.
“To have this whole partnership together again with all three of us, it’s familiar territory,” he said, “and I know what the end result will be – we’re really going to make a difference.”
Buckets will continue to be packed at the Concord Lowe's location until 5 p.m. For those interested in pitching in or donated supplies, the store is located at 8670 Concord Mills Blvd. in Concord.