RCR Huk's Up to Help With Florida Relief Fund

CHARLESTON, S.C.-- Richard Childress Racing Huk’s up to help with Florida Relief Fund. Leading into this past weekend’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, RCR sponsor, Huk, made it their mission to help build back Florida after Hurricane Ian devastatingly swept through the state. For the entirety of last week, 10% of all online Huk orders contributed to the Florida Relief Fund. Marolina Outdoor Vice President of Marketing, Chris Russell, attended the Cup race on Sunday in an effort to show support of the state. “We’re coming to Florida, there are a lot of people struggling, so we said we want to spend this whole week of race week giving back to the state of Florida,” said Russell. That’s when Richard Childress Racing and the No. 3 team jumped into action to promote, and contribute to, Huk's Florida Relief Fund.“We’re glad to be a part of it with RCR, you know Richard and the team immediately said ‘Yeah, we’re in, we’re going to help you promote, we’re going to give back too', so it just really feels like there’s a family atmosphere here when there’s a couple big companies that can get together and we can work with the individuals that not only need it, but are willing to give their own, so that’s how we make that happen,” said Russell.While the companies played a major role in contributing financially, Huk Pro-staff member, Captain James Marko was there in the thick of the devastation doing all he could to help out other locals. “It’s easy for a company to step up and say, “Oh, we’re going to donate some cash,” but we had guys on the ground too and that’s where Marco really came into play. He’s been down here slaving away in the hot sun, helping people, donating his time and just really using his own personal efforts in making this happen. He’s the real hero in this story, not us,” said Russell.Captain Marko is a third-generation Floridian and has been a Pro-staff member of Huk for 5-years. Growing up in Florida, Captain Marko is no stranger to hurricanes and the devastation they can leave behind, which is why he and Huk teamed up as soon as they could get in touch following Ian’s path. “It was tough. We didn’t have a whole lot of communication with the outside world for about a week, and it was locals helping locals and then the word most definitely started getting out. Brands like Huk and you guys [RCR] most definitely stepped up and it’s really amazing to see the community come together but it's also amazing to see brands like yourself come and help us as well,” said Captain Marko. Chris Russell and the Huk brand are based out of Charleston, South Carolina, and have experienced first-hand the struggles that lie ahead for those in Florida, so as soon as Russell could get in touch with Captain Marko, a plan was formed.“To be frank, when they called and told me I almost started tearing up. It was most definitely one of the things that they called me, I didn't have to call them. That means even that much more to me that is when they called me and said “we’re helping, tell us what we need to do,” said Captain Marko.Captain Marko describes Huk and RCR as more of a family than anything else. “It’s just amazing with how our brand is and how it’s a family and for them to come in, it just shows their true character and how great they are,” said Captain Marko.It’s through Huk, RCR, and other local organizations’ support that the State of Florida’s rebuild is getting a nudge in the right direction. “Our community is very strong and with help from these types of brands like this with the contributions and the donations, it helps us build quicker, and if we build quicker, we become stronger and from there it’s all going to hopefully keep going in the better direction,” said Captain Marko.Captain Marko also attended Sunday’s Cup race to support Huk’s efforts in the Florida Relief Fund. “We can’t just come to a race and have a great time without thinking about the folks that are still wondering whether they are going to get power at their house sometime soon, so we’re excited to take a little bit of time and give back and put money where it’s really needed,” said Russell.One person can make a change, but RCR and Huk are ready to make an even bigger change for those Floridians affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.