Peach Bowl, Inc. today donated $200,000 to the American Red Cross to help provide for the immediate and long-term needs of families affected by hurricanes Florence and Michael.

The aid will be directed specifically to communities most impacted by the hurricanes and the resulting flooding in North and South Carolina, Florida and Georgia. The donation will help the more than 3,100 Red Cross disaster workers in those areas provide food, water, shelter and emotional support to the survivors who need it most.

“It’s tragic. There’s no other way to put it. Our hearts go out to all those affected by these devastating storms,” said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. “We just want people to know that, in addition to our prayers, we want to do what we can to help provide relief for those who lost so much.”

The two Category 4 hurricanes, Florence (Sept. 14) and Michael (Oct. 10), made landfall less than a month apart and were two of the most intense storms ever to hit the United States. They recorded wind speeds of 137 mph and 155 mph and delivered 35.9 inches and 9.6 inches of rain respectively. Together, the hurricanes were among the wettest and strongest ever and accounted for damage to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses and left millions without power for prolonged periods of time.

“The Red Cross is proud to partner with the Peach Bowl to provide urgently needed relief for people in the Southeast affected by hurricanes Florence and Michael,” said Don Herring, chief development officer at the American Red Cross.

This marks the fifth time Peach Bowl, Inc. has offered help for victims of natural disasters, including donations following hurricanes Katrina (2005) and Harvey (2017). The Peach Bowl is college football’s most charitable bowl organization and remains committed to giving back through scholarship and charitable donations in times of need.

“Our bowl was originally founded as a charitable initiative and we remain true to that vision today,” Stokan said. “We haven’t forgotten our roots. If there is an opportunity for us to help, we will.”