• Aimee Murry

Gray Media and Viewers Rally to Raise $340,000+ to Disaster Relief

GRAY MEDIA SHARES HOPE AFTER HELENE

 Atlanta, Georgia – October 4, 2024- Gray Media announced today that their generous viewers have raised over $290,000 for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. To further support this community-driven initiative, the company has personally contributed an additional $50,000, increasing the total to more than $340,000. This fundraising campaign, launched in partnership with The Salvation Army, aims to provide hope and assistance to those affected by the catastrophic disaster that took more than 200 lives and left widespread devastation.

The story of this relief effort began even before Hurricane Helene made landfall. Demonstrating its commitment to the communities it serves, Gray Media initiated conversations with The Salvation Army before the full impact of the hurricane was known, hoping for the best but preparing for what turned out to be a storm of historic proportions. Because of this foresight, Gray Media launched a nationwide relief campaign, enabling a swift response to meet the urgent needs of impacted communities. 

“We are truly grateful to our viewers for their overwhelming generosity and willingness to support their neighbors during this time of tremendous need,” Gray’s Chief Operating Officer Sandy Breland said. “Our stations tracked Helene’s potential impact on the region starting days before landfall and throughout the storm and have not stopped intensive reporting on the devastation, relief and recovery efforts, and remarkable resilience of the affected residents. We will continue to serve and support these communities as they recover and rebuild.”

The impact of this fundraising effort is already being felt on the ground. The Salvation Army has mobilized in the hardest-hit areas, providing food, hydration, and essential recovery supplies. Major Todd Hawks, Territorial CRD Secretary of The Salvation Army USA Southern Territory, highlighted the significance of the partnership: "We're incredibly grateful for Gray Media's support of community members who are struggling to rebuild their lives upended by Hurricane Helene. This partnership will help us reach more people in need and provide critical assistance for the long road to recovery."

To date, The Salvation Army has served over 150,000 meals to Helene survivors from 68 active mobile feeding units across six states. We are also providing cleanup kits, hygiene products, and offering spiritual and emotional care to those grappling with the aftermath of the disaster.

As the story of recovery and rebuilding unfolds, Gray Media’s commitment to serving and supporting its viewers will be evident every step of the way. Those wishing to contribute to the ongoing relief campaign can visit HeleneHelp.org or its Spanish-language counterpart, HeleneAyuda.org. 100 percent of every donation goes directly to The Salvation Army's disaster relief efforts, ensuring hope continues to reach those most in need.