CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle is among those making a difference in the North Carolina communities that were hit hardest by Hurricane Helene.
Biffle has been using his personal helicopter to deliver supplies to remote communities as part of Operation Helidrop. He's one of dozens of pilots flying choppers into hard-to-land areas with critical supplies. The operation has volunteers flying out of Hickory, Morganton, Statesville and Rutherford County.
He's documented most of his experience on social media, helping raise awareness about the dire conditions in the mountains. Biffle has also used his platform to connect loved ones with family members who they've been unable to contact since the storm hit.
On a recent trip, Biffle said he noticed something that caught his eye. A man holding a mirror to try and call for help.
"I caught him out of the corner of my eye and I was several miles away," Biffle told WRAL. "It was 4,000 feet elevation. All the way down into this ravine, power lines across, trees and obstacles to try to get down into it."
Eventually, Biffle was able to get clear of the obstacles and landed safely. The former NASCAR champion gave the man a chainsaw, EpiPens, chicken food, formula, gas, two-stroke oil for the chainsaw and sandwiches from Harris Teeter.
Biffle said he plans to keep going to the mountains until he believes everyone has what they need.
How to help Helene survivors
WCNC Charlotte partnered with the American Red Cross to help gather donations to go to efforts that will help people impacted by Helene. We've launched a special web page where you can either select a monetary amount or enter your own. You can make donations using a credit card or PayPal account.
If you wish to donate by mail, you can print and fill out a donation form and mail it to:
American Red Cross
PO Box 37839
Boone, IA 50037-0839
Donations can also be made via phone at:
1-800-435-7669
TDD Operator: 1-800-220-4095