‘We have their back’: How Hornets delivered assist, one year after Helene’s wrath
Riding from Charlotte and traversing through the mountainous terrain of the western part of North Carolina, the gravity of it all wasn’t lost on Grant Williams.
Hard as it may be to fathom for the Charlotte Hornets forward, it’s already been a year since Hurricane Helene ripped through Ashe County and other areas in the vicinity. A lot has transpired over these last 12 months.
“It’s flown by, man,” Williams told The Observer during a phone conversation Thursday evening. “So many life-changing events have happened, and not just from my injury. Communities are being affected, the world’s changing. There’s a lot that’s gone on this year. So, I look at ‘25-26 as one of the most difficult but encouraging parts of my life.
“Because I’ve learned a lot about myself, I’ve learned a lot about the world and just being more aware and being more present and able to give. I’m super excited to really get back on the court, but hopefully to continue to give back and use what I’ve learned to impact lives around me.”
That’s what Williams did Thursday, joining fellow teammate Josh Green and other members of the Hornets’ contingent to partner with Lowe’s. The two organizations combined forces for the annual Hornets Legacy Project, coming together to renovate the Riverview Community Center in Creston.
Along with the likes of Hornets president of business operations Shelly Cayette-Weston and Lowe’s chief human resources officer Janice Dupre and division president Joel Cogdell, Williams helped community leaders tip off the project and aid in supporting recovery efforts still taking place due to the devastation caused by Helene in western North Carolina. The full renovation, which is expected to be completed in the spring, includes redoing the gym, basketball court, exercise room and surrounding outdoor spaces.
Williams also delivered another assist during his time at the community center: giving encouragement to those whose lives were turned upside down by a natural disaster rivaling anything the area has ever experienced.
“They were just asking light-hearted questions about the season, how my health is,” said Williams, who’s still rehabilitating the torn right ACL he suffered in November. “And I said that more importantly, less about my health and less about basketball, the situations you guys are going through you guys aren’t alone in. And hopefully we can give you guys some joy, some life to keep you guys motivated to keep moving forward.
“I know there was a bunch of trauma — whether it’s losing homes, significant items or just seeing loved ones, how they were affected. I told them we have their back and we’ll continue to support you guys as well.”
The Hornets’ contingent also packed bags of non-perishable foods to be distributed to local families. Their efforts are just the latest in the recovery and rebuilding, coming a year after the Hornets donated $1 million to the American Red Cross and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.
“The thing is the Charlotte Hornets stretch out beyond Charlotte,” Williams said. “We want to show that we are a Carolina team — not just Carolina but everyone really surrounding Carolina. And Asheville was affected deeply by Hurricane Helene. I feel like there’s more work to be done.
“So, I thought it was not only valuable and important to not only give back to a location that was deeply affected by a tragic incident that I think with our help and the Hornets help, just give them that joy that they are cared for, they are supported and the region has their backs to make sure they get back on their feet.”
