Fans Cheer on Scotty McCreery, Bring Relief to Storm Victims

The weekly 'American Idol' viewing party in Garner, N.C. turned into a massive relief effort last night. Over 700 fans, friends, family members, and neighbors stuffed the Garner Historic Auditorium to cheer on Scotty McCreery, but they didn't come empty handed. Local grocer Lowe's Foods organized a collection of canned goods and personal items to help families affected by the tornadoes that devastated the area last weekend.

The 'Idol' finalist quickly caught wind of the tragic storms that carved up homes and business across North Carolina. "Praying for everybody back home effected by the storms," he tweeted on Sunday morning.

Nearly 450 homes and 20 businesses were destroyed by he 25 tornadoes that touched down across North Carolina between 4 and 4:30PM on April 16. Twenty four people died, and thousands were sent searching for temporary housing while repairs were attended to. Much of the damage was centered in Wake County, the area McCreery calls home.

Terry Mascaro, store manager of Lowe's Foods in Garner, tells Taste of Country that the collection efforts filled six giant cardboard bins with canned goods and personal items. The Salvation Army was also on hand accepting donations of clothes and household items.

News that their hometown boy McCreery had a cozy spot amongst next week's Top 6 on 'Idol' was a cathartic cherry on top of the good deeds and feelings filling the auditorium and town since last weekend.

Fans Cheer on Hometown Boy Scotty McCreery While Helping Storm Relief Victims