By Mark Reynolds
After word went out on social media, blankets and pillows rolled in at the American Legion Hall in Highland that were then brought down to areas in North Carolina that have been devastated by Hurricane Helene.
Willie Auchmoody, with support from family and friends, collected the much needed pillows and blankets, which Willie brought down to be distributed in the area. Through his contacts in the racing community, he became friends with Kerry Earnhardt, eldest son of the late NASCAR champion, Dale Earnhardt [1951-2001] and many down south have welcomed his help in this trying time.
Willie said he owns a home in North Carolina and many have been affected or know someone who has been impacted by Helene. He reached out to his contacts, asking, “is there anything you need that you’re not getting a lot of and the biggest thing is pillows and blankets for people who are in shelters. People have literally walked out of some of those towns with the clothes on their back, that’s all they have left.”
Willie said a trailer in Kannapolis, North Carolina, “is waiting for us and then they take the pillows and blankets to a staging area just outside of Asheville.” He said the trip takes a little more than 9 hours one-way.
Willie said, “I know a lot of times in our small town there is a lot of division due to politics and such, but when people are in need there is no politics. Highland stepped up and some of our families and friends from Marlborough have stepped up and it makes me proud of where I’m from.”
Willie arrived back from North Carolina and is continuing to collect pillows, blankets and now clothing for a return trip down south on October 11, bringing comfort and aid to those still struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.