He is no stranger to charitable causes in his native AshevilleNorth Carolina, with its annual Christmas jam concert, Warren Haynes will once again lend a musical hand to help his hometown in the wake devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene last month. Haynes will host a benefit concert on November 24 at Madison Square Garden in New York City to raise funds for disaster relief in both North Carolina and Florida.

“I’ve talked to everybody and it’s crazy. It’s heartbreaking. Who would ever imagine that western North Carolina could be affected like this?” says Haynes Rolling Stone.

Nicknamed “Soulshine,” the concert will feature Haynes and his band, the Dave Matthews Band, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats and Goosewith special guests Trey Anastasio, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph, Joe Russo, Trombone Shorty, Susan Tedeschi, and Derek Trucks.

“The music community has really stepped up,” Haynes says of the benefit shows that have sprung up across the country to help flood victims in North Carolina and Florida after Helene hit and Hurricane Milton. Saturday, Eric Church and Luke Combs started a massive benefit in Charlotte, raising over $24 million in relief.

According to a release, net proceeds will benefit the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation’s Soulshine Concert Fund, which will benefit Habitat for Humanity’s 2024 Hurricane Recovery fund and also support a variety of North Carolina non-profits and Florida.

More than a month after record flooding and high winds tore through western North Carolina, many areas are still without clean water. With 96 deaths as a result of Helene in WNC alone, numerous mountain communities were devastated. The timelines for a return to normalcy are either years away or unknown at this time.

“I’m so grateful that all of our friends in the (music) industry go above and beyond,” adds Haynes. “It makes sense to do something, and it’s taking shape a little more every day.”

It’s been a whirlwind of emotions for Haynes — who will release his new solo album, Millions of voices whisperon Nov. 1 — as he struggles to come to terms with the destruction of parts of Asheville, a city that his 87-year-old mother, young brother Brian and many members of his extended family still spend home.

“Most of my family was moved up until a few days ago,” says Haynes. “Weeks without power or cell service. My mum is finally back home and has water again – she is extremely happy to be home.”

Haynes says his mother’s house overlooks the heavily decimated River Arts District, a beloved creative hive of studios and galleries along the old French Broad River. Brother Haynes also owns a vinyl record store there, Records in the RAD, which was flooded.

“The inventory is gone, but they were able to get most of the artwork out,” says Haynes. “I got a text from my mom today saying she’s working down there at the store now.”

Even though Haynes’ heart is heavy, he finds comfort and solace in the determination that is at the core of what it means to be a Southern Appalachian. “People are very community-oriented and helping each other in Asheville and western North Carolina,” Haynes says. “Foreigners helping foreigners. I was raised to have a strong sense of community. It was always kind of instilled in me.”

General sales for “Soulshine,” produced by Dayglo Presents in association with Live Nation, begin Friday, Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. ET.