North Carolina families still recovering from Hurricane Helene just found out some of their debt has been canceled.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Legendary former North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams helped eliminate $10 million in debt for thousands of Western Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene last fall. Williams, with the help of Verizon and ForgiveCo, called several of the beneficiaries this week to give them the good news.

In the more than four months since Hurricane Helene battered western North Carolina, destroying homes and entire communities, residents have worked hard to rebuild. A North Carolina legend helped make that rebuilding a little easier.