In the wake of devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Shark Attack Golf and Ultimate Long Drive (ULD) is taking action to support the recovery efforts in Western North Carolina through a unique and impactful event—Swing For Relief. This charity event is set to take place on November 2, 2024, at 6 PM, hosted at FOREU Golf in Brevard, North Carolina. Swing For Relief is more than just a long drive competition; it’s a food drive and an opportunity to stand together in support of flood victims who are struggling to rebuild their lives.

Hurricane Helene: A Tragic Blow to Western North Carolina

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in late September 2024, brought unprecedented destruction to the region. With sustained winds over 100 mph and relentless torrential rains, Helene wreaked havoc on Western North Carolina, leaving behind widespread flooding, power outages, and thousands of displaced residents. Towns and communities nestled in the mountains were hit the hardest, where flash floods from the hurricane caused landslides, destroyed homes, and washed away infrastructure. Roads and bridges were submerged or damaged beyond repair, isolating many communities for days.

In particular, Brevard and surrounding towns bore the brunt of the hurricane’s fury. The region’s rivers and creeks swelled to dangerous levels, breaching their banks and causing widespread flooding in neighborhoods, farms, and businesses. Entire streets were submerged, and local schools and community centers had to double as emergency shelters. Hundreds of families lost their homes and belongings, and the recovery process is expected to take months, if not years.

As the cleanup begins, many victims face long-term challenges, especially those from low-income households who cannot easily recover from such catastrophic losses. Emergency responders, charitable organizations, and local volunteers are working tirelessly, but they need continued support to meet the overwhelming demand for basic necessities like food, clean water, and hygiene supplies.

Swing For Relief: Helping Rebuild Lives, One Swing at a Time

Swing For Relief was born from a desire to help the community in a meaningful way. Ultimate Long Drive, a leading organization in the world of long-drive competitions, saw an opportunity to combine its passion for golf with the pressing need to support hurricane victims. This event, scheduled for November 2, 2024, will bring together long drivers, golf enthusiasts, and caring individuals in a fun yet impactful competition aimed at gathering critical resources for flood victims.

Registration for the event is unique: instead of paying a fee, participants are asked to bring $40 worth of non-perishable food. This food will be collected and distributed to those affected by the hurricane through the local food bank. The list of acceptable items includes canned goods, boxed meals, rice, pasta, peanut butter, baby formula, and other non-perishables that can provide immediate relief to families in need.

Not only will Swing For Relief give long drivers an opportunity to showcase their talent on the course, but it also allows everyone involved to contribute directly to the recovery efforts. Food collected will help alleviate the ongoing food insecurity crisis that has worsened in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Many families in Western North Carolina rely on local food banks, and the surge in demand following the hurricane has left these food banks depleted. This event aims to replenish those stocks and ensure that no one goes hungry while trying to recover from the storm.

Event Details:

  • Date: November 2, 2024
  • Time: 6 PM
  • Location: FOREU Golf, Brevard, North Carolina
  • Registration: $40 worth of non-perishable food items (no cash fees)
  • Who Can Participate: Anyone may participate. All public welcome. You do not have to be a lopng driver to partricpate. All ages all abilities welcome. No membership required. 
  • How to Register: Participants can bring their food donations directly to the event site.

For Those Unable to Attend

For long drivers, supporters, or anyone who cannot physically attend the event, Ultimate Long Drive encourages making donations to other trusted organizations that are directly supporting the victims of Hurricane Helene. However, donations should NOT be made to FEMA for this disaster. Local advocates warn that FEMA’s bureaucratic delays and allocation policies often mean that funds will not directly support the affected families in Western North Carolina. Instead, donations should be directed to local organizations, churches, or trusted disaster-relief charities that have boots on the ground and are already actively involved in recovery efforts.

Some suggested organizations for those who wish to donate include:

  • Local food banks in the Western North Carolina region
  • MountainTrue (a nonprofit organization focused on environmental conservation and disaster response in the Appalachian region)
  • United Way of Transylvania County (which has been working on hurricane relief in the Brevard area)
  • North Carolina Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund

By contributing to these organizations, donors can be assured that their financial support will go directly toward providing food, shelter, clothing, and other essentials to the victims.

How You Can Help: A Call to Action

Swing For Relief is not just an event for golf enthusiasts; it is a collective call to action for anyone who wants to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Helene. Whether you are a long driver eager to showcase your swing or someone looking to support the cause from afar, your participation matters.

The road to recovery for the victims of Hurricane Helene will be long and challenging, but events like Swing For Relief offer a beacon of hope. Through the generosity of participants and donors, we can help rebuild shattered communities and provide vital resources to those who need them the most.

Mark your calendars for November 2, 2024, and join Ultimate Long Drive at FOREU Golf in Brevard, NC, for an evening of fun, community, and charity. Together, we can swing for relief and make a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by this tragic disaster.

For more information on how to participate, donate, or volunteer, please visit the Ultimate Long Drive website or contact event organizers directly. Let’s come together and show the strength of community during these difficult times.