Last month a few companies teamed up with former UNC head coach Roy Williams to give the call of a lifetime, forgiving $10 million in consumer debt for Helene victims in western North Carolina.

What You Need To Know

  • Last month a few companies teamed up with former UNC head coach Roy Williams to relieve $10 million in consumer debt

  • Williams helped call 6,500 western North Carolina residents to let them know the good news

  • “With this announcement, Verizon is providing a financial boost to people in western North Carolina at a time of real need,” Gov. Josh Stein said

The University of North Carolina Hall of Fame men’s basketball coach gave a hand in calling the 6,500 residents whose debt was relieved.

Williams told callers it was no-strings-attached, and they didn’t have to do anything.

“You can tell when you’re talking to some of those people that they’ve just been needing a little help — a little hope — to keep going,” Williams said. “I think Verizon is really giving them hope. To give them hope, to know that some people are trying to help them — it was a great thrill to be involved.”

Verizon and ForgiveCo covered the tab, and no applications were needed through ForgiveCo’s “random acts of kindness” model.

Gov. Josh Stein said he’s happy when western North Carolinians get relief of any kind after the destruction they’ve endured.

“With this announcement, Verizon is providing a financial boost to people in western North Carolina at a time of real need,” Stein said. “Together, we will help the people of western North Carolina rebuild stronger than ever.”