Moore’s home was also flooded and is currently being rebuilt with the help of the N.C. (Katie McClean for The Undefeated)ĭa’Quan Moore, 10, stands outside his neighbors flood ravaged home on Tuesday, Octoin Lumberton, NC. Jones not only lost the majority of her belongings to these hurricanes, but she lost the home she intended spending her future in. Jones was renting-to-own this home from her grandmother but after Matthew and Florence her grandmother has decided to demolish the house. Jones’ home was severely damaged by Hurricane Florence with flood water reaching her window sills. Julius Peppers wears a mold respirator while touring the home of Latisha Jones on Tuesday, Octoin Lumberton, NC. But if you can help them feel better in some kind of way, that makes me feel a lot better, too.” If you can help them rebuild a home, that’s fine. Those are the first things that she thought to take. “She was talking about how she grabbed her Bible and her picture albums. “We couldn’t wait to get back.”Īsked later what struck him about the McGirts, Peppers reflected. “Thank the Lord we could save a little of what we had,” said Barbara McGirt. When Peppers, along with members of the United Way, arrived, the couple had reason to be hopeful after spending their first night in their home since being flooded out. The couple, married for 51 years, have all of their belongings, at least what’s left, in boxes and small piles. Just two houses up on the same street, McGirt’s parents - Barbara, 65, and French, 72 - accessed their own home, which is in the process of being rebuilt. It’s definitely personal, ’cause this is where I’m from.” Thankfully the hurricane did not affect my hometown that much, but it’s still the community, man, and the Carolinas, and it’s only right that we do something to help. “So it’s personal in that aspect, and I can feel it. “It’s definitely personal - because I’m from a small town not far from here,” explained Peppers, 38. Two days after the Panthers’ come-from-behind win over the Giants, Peppers made his way to Lumberton, the poorest city in the state, to help with recovery efforts. Teammate Cam Newton matched his donation with an additional $100,000. I just wanted to come down here and help - offer some hope - just to try to do my part with this recovery.”Īfter Hurricane Florence hit, Peppers started a relief fund through his foundation and contributed $100,000 of his own money. “I can’t even imagine something like this happening and not being able to have certain things, like a house that’s in living condition. “I know what it is to come from a rural area like this,” said Peppers, who is from Bailey, North Carolina, less than a two-hour drive from Lumberton. Sadness filled McGirt’s eyes as the veteran Carolina Panthers defensive end stood next to her with arms folded, trying to find the words to console the mother of two who has lived at this property for all of her 46 years. “The neighbors washed our clothes … we’re waiting on FEMA for relief.” “We’ve lost everything,” McGirt said, turning to look at her house, which was ravaged by Hurricane Florence in September. The smell of moldy furniture, carpet and insulation - not to mention the sight of children’s toys scattered across Tonia McGirt’s front lawn - wiped the smile clear off Julius Peppers’ face as soon as he pulled up to the condemned house in Lumberton, North Carolina.
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