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OPELIKA, Ala. (December 16, 2024) – Stone Martin Builders, a leading home builder known for its commitment to community engagement, partnered with Habitat for Humanity and Samaritan’s Purse to collect 16 pallets of donations and $3,443 for victims of Hurricane Helene. 

Hurricane Helene was a catastrophic tropical cyclone that made landfall in Florida in late September 2024, causing widespread damage in North Carolina and across the southeastern United States. 

The Hurricane Helene Relief Donation Drive accepted donations at 26 drop-off sites, That includes the Chambers-Troup County ReStore center which donated two pallets worth of donations from the community, according to the company’s public relations team. 

These included Habitat for Humanity ReStores and Stone Martin Builders model homes across Alabama that made it easy for the public to drop off cold-weather clothing, personal hygiene products, and non-perishable food from October 1 to November 15. 

“The outpouring of support from our Alabama communities demonstrates the power of collective action in times of crisis,” said John Manasco, Stone Martin Builders Chief Operating Officer. “By joining forces with Habitat for Humanity and Samaritan’s Purse, we channeled our resources and compassion to make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Helene.” 

The donation drive collected:

•     Four pallets of coats for Avery County students and additional communities in need.
•     Three pallets of blankets for nursing facilities in Avery and residents in surrounding counties.
•     Two pallets of 5-gallon cleaning kits for Swannanoa, NC, in Buncombe County.
•     Four pallets of warm clothing, including pants, scarves, gloves, socks, and hats, to help individuals stay protected during harsh winter months.
•     Three pallets of personal hygiene items.

 To ensure a timely distribution, volunteers sent the items to the WNC Farmers Market in Asheville, NC, avoiding road closures and access issues. From there, volunteers loaded the two chartered box trucks of 16 pallets onto trailers and delivered them to Banner Elk, NC, for organization and distribution.

“This collaborative effort, including Habitat for Humanity, has made it possible to get these items into the hands of those most in need,” said Paul Willis, Director of Purchasing and Estimating at Stone Martin Builders. “Volunteers in North Carolina are diligently working to ensure that every item is distributed to the right people and places. The effort is ongoing and will continue to be as they find communities with the biggest needs. We are proud of the teamwork that made this initiative possible and grateful for the impact it will have on these communities.”

Stone Martin Builders dedicated itself to positively impacting the communities it serves. The company extended gratitude to all participants and encouraged them to spread support to those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Based in the Auburn-Opelika area, Stone Martin Builders is dedicated to developing aspirational communities throughout Alabama and Georgia, including Huntsville, Athens, Meridianville, Prattville, Pike Road, Montgomery, Millbrook, Wetumpka, Auburn, Opelika, Dothan, Troy, Enterprise, and Columbus, Georgia. Since its establishment in 2006, the company has quickly grown and, in 2022, was ranked as one of the 100 largest home builders in the U.S. by Builder Online. Learn more at https://stonemartinbuilders.com.