North Carolina native George Shinn and his wife, Megan, are partnering with N.C. Baptists to auction a special edition Ford Mustang on Feb. 22 at the Greensboro Auto Auction to support disaster response efforts in western North Carolina, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina has announced.

According to a recent news release, 100% of the winning auction bid will go to an N.C. Baptist initiative called ServeNC, which funds ministry efforts in regions of the state affected by Hurricane Helene. The devastating storm struck North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024, claiming more than 100 lives and leaving behind billions in property damage. Thousands of volunteers from N.C. Baptist churches are working through Baptists on Mission to help families get back into their homes and make needed repairs to church facilities.

“The work that N.C. Baptist churches are doing in the mountain regions of our state is a shining example of what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” said Todd Unzicker, N.C. Baptist executive director-treasurer. “We are a movement of churches on mission together, and we believe the hope of the gospel shines brighter than the darkness brought by this terrible storm.”

In the immediate aftermath of Helene, Baptists on Mission — an auxiliary organization of N.C. Baptists — set up large feeding and recovery operations in more than a dozen locations across western North Carolina. Recovery operations included clearing roads, mudding out homes, supplying shower units, providing laundry services and more. Currently, Baptists on Mission is operating eight sites, with emphasis on a program to make “essential rapid repairs” to homes in coordination with other disaster response agencies.

Shinn, who brought professional sports to North Carolina as the owner and founder of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets in 1988, is offering a challenge to others. In addition to donating for auction the 2022 Mustang valued in excess of $125,000, the Shinns are also pledging $100,000 toward ServeNC, and are inviting others to match his gift in this fundraising effort.   

“North Carolina is the state we consider our home and using our blessings and resources to positively impact so many that are suffering from Hurricane Helene is essential for Megan and myself,” George Shinn said. “We are proud to enhance the lives of so many through the ServeNC initiative of N.C. Baptists and hope we can motivate others to donate as well.”

Shinn is an 83-year-old businessman with roots in Kannapolis, N.C. He has engaged in many philanthropic efforts through a foundation in his name, including donations to N.C. Baptists’ own Fruitland Baptist Bible College in Hendersonville, N.C., and a foster care program through the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes.

The 2022 Ford Mustang GT500 Heritage Edition celebrates 55 years of the Shelby GT500. The muscle car is powered by a supercharged 5.2 liter V8 engine making 760 hp and 625 pound-feet of torque. It is wrapped in Brittany Blue with white stripes, paying homage to the original 1967 GT500. A seven-speed automatic transmission puts power down to the seven-spoke black carbon fiber wheels wrapped in Michelin tires.

Contributions to ServeNC may be made online at servenc.com.