FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 17, 2024
Media Contact:
Bethany Yandell
Ackermann Marketing & PR
byandell@thinkackermann.com
(423) 200-7966
Gatlinburg, Tenn. – Oct. 24, 2024 – A lineup of headlining comedians, including Leanne Morgan, Charlie Berens, John Crist and Dusty Slay, headlined “No Laughing Matter: A Comedy Benefit for Victims of Hurricane Helene,” Monday, Oct. 21, to a sold-out audience at the Ryman Auditorium, raising $120,000 to benefit Mountain Ways. Mountain Ways is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the hospitality and values of the Appalachian region to those facing natural disasters and tragedies. The nonprofit organization launched its relief and recovery efforts on Oct. 17, responding to disaster-declared counties in Tennessee and Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The comedians had the sold-out audience laughing for a cause with many of them having personal ties to Tennessee and the Southeast. Morgan, who grew up in rural Tennessee and currently resides in Knoxville, Tenn., was eager to find a way to give back to the communities in the region who had been affected by the floods.
“I was honored to be part of the comedy benefit for those affected by Hurricane Helene, including areas in my own East Tennessee where I raised my children. Laughter has a unique way of bringing us together, and I’m grateful to have used my platform to raise funds for those in need,” said Morgan. “Being from Tennessee, I’ve always known the value of community and resilience, and this event was a powerful reminder of our volunteer spirit. Together, we shared some laughs and made a difference for our friends in need!”
The night was full of surprise guests including Nate Bargatze, Kathleen Madigan, Karen Mills, and singer-songwriter Lanie Gardner, whose hometown of Burnsville, N.C., was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Gardner sang songs from her debut album “A Songwriter’s Diary” that shares stories and memories of her growing up in Burnsville. The singer-songwriter said those songs had taken on new meaning in the wake of the devastation her hometown had experienced.
Mountain Ways’ relief and recovery application opened online at mtnways.org/get-relief on Oct. 21 and will close Nov. 4. Individuals or families (homeowners or renters) with a 100% total loss of their primary residence due to the 2024 flooding of Hurricane Helene may apply for assistance by completing an online application. Mountain Ways is currently focusing assistance initiatives on disaster-declared counties in Tennessee including Cocke, Carter, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington. Eligible counties in North Carolina include Ashe, Avery, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
“The launch of our relief and recovery assistance activates our first steps toward helping our neighbors in Tennessee and Western North Carolina. We are rooted in the values of the Appalachian region, and it is our mission to share and preserve Appalachian culture and heritage by giving back and loving our neighbors who have witnessed catastrophic loss due to Hurricane Helene,” said Lori Moore, Executive Director of Mountain Ways. “We are so grateful to Leanne, and all those at last night’s show who gave their time and talent to support our efforts in providing support to the flood survivors. The need to support all affected by the floods is great, which is why donations and support to Mountain Ways over the coming months are so important to expand the reach and depth of assistance. Our objective is to ensure that 100% of funds raised are going directly to survivors of the affected communities who need it most.”
For more information about Mountain Ways, donations, resources, and assistance, visit mtnways.org or call (865)
412-7798.
About Mountain Ways:
Mountain Ways is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization co-founded by Joe and Jessi Baker, to share and preserve
Appalachian culture and heritage by giving back and loving our neighbors. Our spirit is in our name. The “ways” of
mountain folks in Appalachia are values like hospitality, perseverance, faith, survival, being neighborly, supporting
one another, and the grit and determination of doing whatever it takes. Thus, our mission is to share and preserve
Appalachian culture and heritage by giving back and loving our neighbors.
2024 Initiatives Focus: Mountain Ways launched relief and recovery assistance on October 17, responding to the
areas affected by 2024 flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
For more information, please visit mtnways.org or call (865) 412-7798.
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