Michael Jordan donates $2 million to Hurricane relief efforts, stresses long term effects on Carolinas
Michael Jordan, the principal owner of the Charlotte Hornets sits and answers questions at a press conference. Jordan recently donated $2 million to help the relief efforts in the Carolinas after Hurricane Florence devastated large swaths of the two states. Image Credit: Bennett Raglin Image Source: Flickr
In an interview with the Charlotte Observer, NBA legend and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan discussed what he saw in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina that led him to donate $2 million to Hurricane Florence relief efforts.
“Wilmington truly is my home. Kept thinking about all those places I grew up going to,” Jordan tells the Observer. “And the deaths – it was so sad about the babies (that died, including one in Gaston County). You don’t want to see any of that anywhere, but when it’s home, that’s tough to swallow.”
Jordan is giving $1 million each to the American Red Cross and the Foundation for the Carolinas Florence Response Fund.
The latter of these organizations directs funds in both North and South Carolina to various non-profits, while the Red Cross is helping to provide shelter and meals to those affected by the storm.
Jordan indicated to the Observer that he feels as though the issues created for people by the storm need continued focus, and stressed that these problems will be ongoing, they will not merely be solved in a few weeks time.
“People need to understand this will not be a week-long process. This is going to have a huge disruption on people’s lives – not for 10 days, but for years… I hope people understand the importance of this and direct their attention to making things better,” Jordan continued. “It’s going to take a lot of performance all over (the Carolinas.)”
Jordan is also using the resources of the Charlotte Hornets to contribute to the relief efforts. Team personnel are pairing with the Second Harvest Food Bank of the Metrolina and Food Lion to package up disaster relief boxes, and the team is also selling shirts that can be purchased through their team shop online, with profits toward relief efforts.
Hornets executive vice-president Pete Guelli echoed the concerns of Michael Jordan, telling the Observer that the long-term process of recovery is “critical. Every day more and more damage is being uncovered… That’s why it was so important to our owner to not just contribute but to create a platform where we can be involved and continue to be involved.”