Helping out his community and his neighbors.
Much of the southeast is facing unimaginable devastation in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which left communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee completely wiped out and hundreds still missing even three days later. So far, over 100 people have been confirmed dead, though that number is sure to rise as emergency crews are able to make their way in to assess the tragic situation.
The pictures that are coming out are absolutely unthinkable. It’s just heartbreaking to think about those who are suffering so much right now – and even those families still waiting to hear from their loved ones who are without power, cell phones and basic supplies in the midst of the tragedy.
But in such a tough time, many are stepping up to help out our neighbors in need.
Morgan Wallen has donated half a million dollars to the American Red Cross to help support his home state, as well as his neighbors just across the border in North Carolina.
The country music superstar was born in Sneedville, Tennessee, not far from the flood-ravaged areas of east Tennessee and western North Carolina. He then moved to Knox County, where he played baseball in high school, and just last weekend he returned to Knoxville to perform two sold-out shows at Neyland Stadium on the campus of the University of Tennessee.
In a statement, Red Cross National President for Humanitarian Services Trevor Riggin confirmed that they received the $500,000 donation from the Morgan Wallen Foundation and thanked the country star for his generosity:
“We can’t thank Morgan Wallen enough for his heart and generous $500,000 donation to impact help on the ground now in the areas affected by Hurricane Helene, including his beloved East Tennessee.”
It’s not the first time that Morgan has been charitable with his money. Ahead of his shows at Neyland Stadium, he donated $140,000 to Gibbs Youth Sports in order to renovate Gibbs Ruritan Park, where he grew up playing baseball as a child. And back in 2023, his foundation donated another $500,000 to renovate the historically black baseball and softball complex Parkwood Community Club in north Nashville.
And in 2022, when wildfires ravaged east Tennessee, Morgan also made a donation to Greater Good Music, an organization that helped provide much-needed relief like hot meals for emergency workers, mobile food pantries, clothing, and supplies for the communities in the fire zone near his hometown.
I know it’s easy to hate on Morgan sometimes, but credit where it’s due: He always steps up and takes care of his community.
And right now, there are a lot of people hurting and in need of help.