Day 31 of the Apocalypse, Ground Zero, Gerton, NC pop. 231

Last night was the Concert for Carolina, which took place in Charlotte, NC, and was also streamed live.

82,193 people were in attendance. The concert raised $24.5 million for North and South Carolina.

All proceeds will be split between nonprofits supported by musicians Luke Combs and Eric Church, including the Chief Cares Fund, Samaritan’s Purse, Manna Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, and Eblen Charities.

Eric Church also pledged to build 100 new homes for displaced people in Avery County, through his organization Chief Cares.

Chase Rice, another musician, grew up in nearby Fairview. He spoke about Craigtown. This is an area of Fairview where 11 Craig family members died in mudslides, as did firefighter Tony Garrison, who was trying to save them.

Luke Combs also attended high school in Fairview.

Jeff and I wanted to watch the concert when we arrived home yesterday afternoon from the beach. But figuring out how to claim our free ticket, and then get the concert to broadcast live on our television was too much for our hurricane brains to figure out.

We also arrived home to heavy rain and wind, the first rain in 30 days. I think it would have been okay if it was only rain, but the addition of wind was too reminiscent of the hurricane.

So, after we unpacked the car I put myself to bed, and slept for 10 hours, my new normal.

This morning it’s been fun seeing all of the posts on Facebook about the concert, though. People here in Western North Carolina are feeling encouraged about more support coming our way.