BATON ROUGE—In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has left communities in North and South Carolina devastated, the Brian Harris Auto Group is stepping up in a significant way. Partnering with several LSU fraternities, the dealership has launched a supply drive to provide aid to hurricane victims. Brennan Miller, a spokesperson for Brian Harris BMW, shared how the initiative came to life during an interview.
The drive began with a history of community-driven relief efforts. Back in 2019, Brian Harris Auto Group collaborated with LSU fraternities during Hurricane Delia to collect supplies for affected areas in Texas. After witnessing firsthand the destruction of storms like Katrina and the Baton Rouge floods, Brian Harris BMW knew it was their duty to give back once again. Miller emphasized the dealership’s commitment, stating, “We felt like we needed to step up and give back, especially after seeing the devastation those communities are facing.”
This year’s partnership involves LSU fraternities Kappa Sigma, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. These fraternities are actively collecting supplies, including food, clothing, and toiletries, to assist the victims. Additionally, they’ve initiated a Venmo challenge, allowing students to contribute monetarily, which makes it easier for college students to help without needing to physically purchase goods. “A lot of times, with college kids, it’s easier just to sit on the couch and give a $5 or $10 Venmo than it is to go buy supplies,” Miller explained.
In just 24 hours, the drive had already raised over $500 and secured a donation of 163 cases of toiletries from Schneider Paper. With supplies pouring in from both the community and local businesses, the drive is gaining momentum. The fraternities are also competing for a special incentive, with the auto group offering a sponsored night out for the fraternity that raises the most money.
Donations can be dropped off at several locations in Baton Rouge, including Brian Harris BMW, Harris Porsche, and Audi of Baton Rouge. For those closer to LSU, fraternity houses are also serving as drop-off points.
With Brian Harris Auto Group handling the logistics to ensure the donations get to the people who need them most. “Our owner, Millie Harris, has said while the supplies are coming in, we will make sure the resources get out there,” Miller added.
Requested items include:
- Food: Water, peanut butter, canned meats, crackers, granola bars, and baby formula.
- Clothing: Pants, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and shoes.
- Toiletries: Hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and diapers.
For more information on how to contribute or to drop off supplies, visit any of the Brian Harris Auto Group dealerships or reach out to the fraternity contact numbers provided.
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