McDonald’s Launches ‘WNC Strong’ Drink Sleeve Fundraiser To Aid Hurricane Helene Recovery

McDonald's restaurants in western North Carolina and Charlotte started selling drink sleeves this week. The goal? Raise money for Hurricane Helene recovery. Customers can purchase a large drink with a sleeve for $5, and all proceeds go to Mountain Biz Works.

The nonprofit has distributed funds to help small businesses bounce back from the storm. To snag a sleeve, customers must ask to buy a "WNC Strong" drink at participating locations.

Local owners run the participating restaurants. Some owner/operators were themselves hit by Helene last year, according to WLOS.

Hurricane Helene struck the region in 2024, causing widespread damage to businesses and infrastructure across multiple counties and cities in the area. The storm left many small businesses scrambling to recover and rebuild what they had lost.

Mountain Biz Works has been supporting these businesses through financial assistance programs since the disaster occurred. They focus on helping local businesses get back on their feet after the storm tore through their communities.

A recent survey revealed that most small businesses in western North Carolina are still struggling after the hurricane struck more than a year ago. The findings show the need for recovery support as businesses work to return to normal operations.

Several McDonald's locations in the region are working on their own recovery as well. The Biltmore Village location has made progress toward reopening with the installation of a new roof on the building.

The fundraiser represents a partnership between local franchise owners and the nonprofit sector working together for a common cause. By offering a product customers want anyway, the initiative gives people an easy way to chip in to ongoing recovery work.

Western North Carolina's economy depends on small businesses, making their recovery critical to the region's future prosperity and stability. The fundraiser aims to bring in additional resources for businesses that continue facing challenges from storm damage months later.

The initiative is available now at participating locations throughout western North Carolina and Charlotte areas where McDonald's operates franchises. Customers can ask for the "WNC Strong" drink at any participating restaurant to receive their large drink and sleeve while supporting local business recovery in their community.