The City of Zachary recently received a letter of appreciation from Paul Maurer, Ph.D., President and CEO of Montreat College in North Carolina. Dr. Maurer expressed his sincere gratitude for the City’s support of the college’s athletics department in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude for the support the City of Zachary provided to our athletics department in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” he wrote. “The City’s generous donation of $3,000 worth of baseballs, coordinated through BSN Sports Apparel and Marucci Sports, was a thoughtful and timely contribution during a season of great disruption. The City of Zachary made a lasting impact on our student-athletes and our coach.”

Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to Montreat College, destroying McAlister Gymnasium, one of the school’s primary athletics facilities. More than five feet of water flooded the fitness center, weight room, training areas, and coaches’ offices, rendering the building unusable for the 2024–2025 academic year. The estimated damage was between $1.5 and $2 million and disrupted multiple sports programs.

In response to the hurricane’s devastation, the Zachary Strong Team departed from the Zachary Fire Department on Monday morning, October 14, to deliver supplies and provide meals to residents impacted in Asheville, North Carolina. “Thanks to the efforts of Gordon “Peewee” LeBlanc, Zachary Youth Park Director, and LSU catcher Alex Milazzo—along with support from local business Thornton, Musso & Bellemin—baseball equipment was collected and sent to help replace what was lost at McAlister Gymnasium.” said Mayor David McDavid.