Country singer Eric Church building homes for families displaced by Hurricane Helene
Eric Church isn't afraid to get his hands dirty in the name of helping a neighbor out.
The country singer is planning to build dozens of homes in Avery County, North Carolina, for families left homeless last fall by Hurricane Helene.
"It is important work because of the large devastation, so we are planning to begin to work on more than our first site to help more families," John Blackburn, CEO of Chief Cares Avery, Church's home-building project, told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. "It is our hope to have an official groundbreaking near Easter and get families in the homes this summer."
In September, the "Drink in My Hand" singer said that he was "devastated by the destruction in the mountains of Western North Carolina."
Country Star Eric Church Says Music Saved Hm After Near-fatal Blood Clot, Brother's Death
"These are our family members, friends, and neighbors. The community we live in part of the year still has people stranded and desperate for extraction. The whole area is in dire need of help," he wrote on Instagram.
Read On The Fox News App
He added, "Anyone who knows anything about me knows what North Carolina and specifically this area in the mountains me to me personally as well as creatively."
Cma Awards Honor Hurricane Helene Victims During Show; Luke Combs, Eric Church Pay Tribute
Church's team will start by building homes for 100 displaced families in Avery County and the surrounding area and "keeping these communities preserved and rebuilt," according to the Chief Cares Avery website.
It added that the project was also dedicated to addressing "longer term needs like creating jobs, rebuilding schools, and supporting local businesses," noting that victims of natural disasters often get forgotten when it stops being front page news.
"Often when disaster strikes, funds flow in from great people wanting to help, but when the world turns its eye to the next devastation, a lot can get lost and fall through the cracks," the website said. "We are committed to the long-term rebuilding of these communities."
Blackburn told Fox News Digital that both Church and his wife, Katherine Blasingame, have been "deeply involved" since the inception of the project, using their connections to find the property and get a local surveyor and an engineer to lay out the plans for the homes.
He said the team also has weekly Zoom meetings with Church and Blasingame, "and they both reach out to my local team to see what else they can do to support the flood victims."
"The need is enormous, and both of the Churches connect often with people directly impacted by the flood or those that are helping them," he explained. "Our energy has been used not only to build houses but to make sure the other needs of the community are being met by our organization."
Blackburrn added that the first site where they will be constructing homes has been secured, and they'll soon start work on the first houses.
Along with his homebuilding project, Church also released a song last fall, "Darkest Hour (Helene edit)," with the song's profits going to charity, and he performed at the benefit Concert for Carolina in October.
Hundreds of thousands of people were left displaced by Hurricane Helene after it hit in late September, and more than 200 died.Original article source: Country singer Eric Church building homes for families displaced by Hurricane Helene
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
34 minutes ago
- New York Post
Flight passengers reveal jaw-dropping behavior in ‘weirdest things' they have seen
In the 'r/delta' forum on Reddit, a user posted a provocative question recently. 'What's the weirdest thing to happen to you on a plane?' the person asked — garnering some 2,000 reactions to date. Advertisement The user opened up the discussion by sharing a photo of a flight passenger playing a wooden recorder while sitting in a window seat. 'On landing/taxi, this fine gentleman pulled out his recorder and played 'Amazing Grace' for the other 100 or so people on the plane,' the user wrote. 'I'm quite happy he waited until the end of the flight.' The user added that it was 'by far the absolute weirdest thing I've seen inside an aircraft.' Other Redditors took to the comments section to share the wildest actions they'd seen while traveling 30,000 feet high in the sky. Advertisement 'I got stuck in a middle seat years ago next to a young woman carrying an almost life-sized doll head with a full head of messy hair,' one user wrote. 'And no, she wasn't a hairdresser.' Another user said, 'I don't like it when people clip their toenails. I've seen it three times. Twice [in] a row across from me and another time in my same row.' Commented another person, 'A woman put her rooster in the overhead bin, but it got loose.' 4 A discussion on airplane passenger etiquette needs to be had. Julian – Advertisement Wrote one individual, 'A woman across the aisle from me brought spaghetti and meatballs with her onto the plane, but she must have been in a rush because she was eating it out of one of those plastic thank-you bags.' Another Redditor said there was an 'old dude who kept asking me questions about my job even after I put my headphones on (multiple times) to work — couldn't take a hint and then said I was rude for not talking to him.' Said yet another person, 'My wife and I were sitting in 1C and 1D. The guy in 1B pulled out dental floss after the meal and started going at his mouth like he was giving himself a root canal. Full-on two-handed flossing right in his seat.' 4 'I don't like it when people clip their toenails. I've seen it three times. Twice [in] a row across from me and another time in my same row.' EdNurg – Advertisement A user wrote, 'The weirdest I've seen was someone changing their baby's diaper on their seatback table. Yep, the entire plane smelled of dirty diaper for the rest of the flight.' Another user described this: 'Donald and Melania Trump impersonators [were in the] first row on a Southwest Flight. The impersonator knew that I had done a double take when I passed him by. I guess most [people] do.' Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog 'View From the Wing,' told Fox News Digital that flight passengers need to be mindful of others. 4 'The entire plane smelled of dirty diaper for the rest of the flight.' EdNurg – 'Passengers have a zone of personal space on the plane that roughly corresponds to the area of their seat,' said Leff. 'Within that space, there are all [types] of behavior that might come under criticism (usually in the realm of personal hygiene and grooming), but it really comes down to the discretion of the individual,' he added. Former flight attendant and Florida-based etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore told Fox News Digital about different ways in which passengers can practice proper etiquette on flights. Advertisement Whitmore also noted that it's important to practice spatial awareness. 'The seats may be getting smaller by the day, but that doesn't give you the right to spill over into someone else's space or put your head on another person's shoulder — unless, of course, you know that person well.' As for passengers who opt to remove their shoes, Whitmore suggested putting on a pair of socks. 4 Flight attendants urge those who would like to take off their shoes to at least wear socks. ThamKC – Advertisement 'From an etiquette standpoint, it is rude to walk about barefooted in a public place as many germs can be transmitted from your feet,' Whitmore told Fox News Digital. Leff noted that flying has become more affordable and democratized. 'What that means is that all sorts of different people with different customs and expectations are now thrown together inside a metal tube,' he said. 'Then add in that people may be afraid to fly, or are traveling for emotionally stressful reasons, such as visiting family, leaving home (or escaping a bad home situation) or going to a funeral,' he said. 'Air travel brings together disparate people in stressful times who act as though they're in private.' Advertisement Leff said that he's seen people drinking too much, arguing with a spouse and traveling barefoot. 'Humans are strange creatures, indeed,' he added.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Prince Andrew ‘Refused' Royal Downgrade Amid Reports William Wants His ‘Disgraced' Uncle Out of the Family
It has always been understood that things are going to change in the British Royal family once Prince William is King. For a while there, it just seemed like that future wasn't all that close. But news of King Charles' illness has led to more speculation about what the future will look like when Prince William is king. And though a lot is speculation, William and Kate Middleton have been taking on added responsibility due to the King's illnesses, which gives us somewhat of a glimpse at what he might be as a King. And one thing he has been clear on is his desire to modernize the monarchy and to move away from the recent scandals. That's partly why reports indicate he's ready to cut ties with his brother Harry and Meghan Markle, with whom he is said not to be on speaking terms at the moment. But another relative, William reportedly wants to cut out from the monarchy going forward, is his uncle, Prince Andrew. More from StyleCaster Duchess Sophie Subtly Took a Side in William & Harry's Feud Amid Reports He Caused 'Irreparable Harm' to the Royals Charles' Funeral Could Be the Last Time Harry & William Ever See Each Other Again Amid Claims There's 'No Turning Back' in Their Feud Related: Did William really cheat on Kate? But Prince Andrew doesn't seem to be happy with just doing what his nephew wants. The disgraced Prince has reportedly refused to vacate his home, Royal Lodge, despite King Charles cutting his annual allowance and withdrawing funding for his security detail, moves that were seen as the King putting pressure on him to downsize. Prince Andrew could have moved to Frogmore Cottage, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle used to live, but reportedly has no plans to do so, according to GB News. 'He has refused to leave his lavish mansion and move to the significantly smaller Frogmore Cottage, believing it to be not grand enough for him,' property buying agent Robin Edwards told the outlet. This, of course, means that Prince Andrew has had to figure out how to pay for security without the money from the crown. Edwards claimed that 'he has apparently been forced to economise and hire a cut-price security firm to guard him and Royal Lodge.' Considering Prince Andrew's troubled past and the continued interest in his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the prevailing thought is that once Prince William is in charge, he will also escalate the response to his uncle. This is not at all surprising, considering reports that he's ready to do that against his own brother. 'Prince William has long had a strained and distant relationship with Andrew,' royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital, adding that the Prince holds 'a grudge against his disgraced uncle.' 'Andrew's future within the royal family is beyond bleak, since Prince William is firmly opposed to any public rehabilitation with no foreseeable path back,' Fordwich claimed. 'He wants Andrew to vanish from public view.' William's issues with his uncle don't extend to Princess Andrew's daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Instead, the two, who are not working royals, are expected to take on larger roles once Prince William becomes King. 'When William ascends the throne, Beatrice and Eugenie will be valuable assets, and I'm certain they will get involved with royal duties. It makes perfect sense, because he will need them,' Ingrid Seward, royal author and editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told Hello!. So, at least some of the family is still on good terms and is expected to continue so. As for Prince Andrew, however, we probably won't be seeing him with the rest of the family again. Best of StyleCaster The 26 Best Romantic Comedies to Watch if You Want to Know What Love Feels Like These 'Bachelor' Secrets & Rules Prove What Happens Behind the Scenes Is So Much Juicier BTS's 7 Members Were Discovered in the Most Unconventional Ways
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Eric Church Defends Bruce Springsteen After President Trump Remarks, Says Political Parties Are ‘Total Bulls–t'
When Bruce Springsteen put the Donald Trump administration on blast at a concert in Manchester a few weeks ago, Eric Church was in the crowd. And in a new interview, the country star shared what he really thought of the moment that sparked a social media rampage led by the president against one of the country star's musical heroes. Speaking to Rolling Stone in an open-ended interview published Friday (June 6), Church made it clear that he thinks Springsteen — who made headlines for calling the White House 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous' at his kickoff Land of Hope & Dreams Tour show in May — has the right 'to say and do what he wants.' More from Billboard Bruce Springsteen Drops 'Land of Hope & Dreams' EP Featuring Speech That Set Off President Trump The Weeknd Wanders Through Purgatory in 'Baptized in Fear' Music Video Miley Cyrus Says Madonna 'Was Down' to Mud Wrestle in a '4x4' Music Video, But Her Label Said No 'I respect the hell out of somebody having the balls to do something like that,' he told the publication. 'If you're Bruce Springsteen, at 75 years old, if that's what floats your boat, then you should do that. I was just ready to hear 'Chimes of Freedom.'' Regardless of whether you agree with Springsteen's comments, Church — who in 2011 paid tribute to the New Jersey rocker on Billboard Hot 100 No. 19 hit 'Springsteen' — added that he thinks the passion behind the moment only elevated the show itself. 'You could tell he wanted to get something off his chest,' said the 'Heart on Fire' artist. 'It added a little more, whatever that was … angst … and the show was fantastic. Best Springsteen show I've seen.' The topic of the E Street bandleader's viral speech came up as Church was discussing his thoughts on America's political landscape, which has been more fraught than ever since Trump returned to office in January. Following the Manchester show, the twice-impeached POTUS ranted on Truth Social that Springsteen was 'highly overrated,' 'dumb as a rock' and a 'dried out 'prune' of a rocker,' later lobbing long-debunked accusations that the 'Born in the U.S.A.' musician had participated in an 'illegal election scam' for Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, Americans' satisfaction with the economy under Trump has been dropping, while many people have been calling out the president's administration for working to slash funding for programs supporting reproductive healthcare, LGBTQ rights and more. But as the divide between Democrats and Republicans deepens, Church told Rolling Stone that he thinks pledging unconditional allegiance to any one political party is 'total bulls–t.' 'I have a problem with the political system where I believe things on both sides, but if I have to pick a party, it means that I can't believe some of those things,' he told the publication. 'If I'm a Republican or I'm a Democrat, I have to be all Republican or all Democrat, and there's no way those guys and girls believe that. There's no f–king way.' Even so, Church doesn't want to label himself as an 'independent. 'It sounds like I can't make up my mind,' he said. 'I bristle at that. But if you look at how broad these issues and topics are, I think there's a small percentage of Americans that truly believe in 100 percent of a party's platform. Most Americans go back and forth. I change my mind all the damn time.' The interview comes about a month after the release of Church's new album, Evangeline vs. the Machine, which debuted at No. 30 on the Billboard 200 in May. The North Carolina native also recently appeared on Morgan Wallen's chart-topping new album, I'm the Problem, guesting on the song 'Number 3 and Number 7,' which entered at No. 52 on the Hot 100 and No. 27 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
