Peach Bowl, Inc. today donated $200,000 to the American Red Cross to help provide for the immediate and long-term needs of families affected by Hurricane Ian in the Southeast.

Late last month, a category four hurricane made landfall in Florida and ripped through several Southeastern states, leaving behind complete destruction and devastation for tens of thousands of families. The storm brought 150 mph winds and flooding that caused damage from Florida all the way through North Carolina. 

“Our hearts and prayers go out to those who were hit by Hurricane Ian and the families who incurred the devastation caused by this storm,” said Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. CEO and president. “Giving back and helping those in need is at the core of who we are, and we remain committed to our mission by doing everything in our power to support those who need it most.”

The American Red Cross is working tirelessly to help families devastated by Hurricane Ian. Many communities are unrecognizable after the storm and 1,900 volunteers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are supporting those affected, and will be helping them recover for months to come. Red Cross shelters and disaster aid stations are open where people can either stay or get food, relief supplies and other assistance. The Red Cross has provided nearly 938,000 meals and snacks thus far, and some 167,000 comfort kits and other relief items.

Peach Bowl, Inc.’s donation will directly benefit areas that were hit hardest by Hurricane Ian in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

“People’s lives were turned upside down by this massive storm,” said Dee Dixon, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Georgia. “The Red Cross is grateful to partner once again with the Peach Bowl, whose gift is helping us provide urgently needed relief to those impacted by Hurricane Ian. With this support, our dedicated Red Cross volunteers will continue to deliver safe shelter, food, comfort and hope to those in need.” 

This marks the ninth time Peach Bowl, Inc. has offered help for victims of natural disasters including donations to the Louisiana State Hurricane Student Relief Fund to assist LSU students who were displaced due to hurricanes Katrina and Rita; Nick’s Kids to provide aid to those affected by the 2011 Alabama tornadoes; the Red Cross Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund for those in Texas impacted by the storm in 2017; the American Red Cross to help provide for the needs of families affected by hurricanes Florence and Michael; and again for the tornadoes that swept across Tennessee in 2020 and 2021 after tornadoes hit the South and Midwest. 

In total, Peach Bowl, Inc. has now donated more than $800,000 over the past five years to the American Red Cross to help those impacted by natural disasters.  

Peach Bowl, Inc. is college football’s most charitable bowl organization and remains committed to giving back through charity, having now donated and committed $60.9 million to organizations in need since 2002.