Sunday, August 22, 2004
Big Orange Volunteers To Aid Victims In Florida %3A%3A Tennessee helped raise funds to assist Floridians affected by Hurricane Charley
Big Orange Volunteers To Aid Victims In Florida
Tennessee helped raise funds to assist Floridians affected by Hurricane Charley
Aug. 22, 2004
The University of Tennessee partnered with the American Red Cross today to raise funds to assist Floridians affected by Hurricane Charley. For a donation to the American Red Cross, fans had the opportunity to get autographs from Coach Phillip Fulmer and 23 players from this year's roster at West Town Mall.
"Everybody knows someone in Florida, and Hurricane Charley touched a lot of people," said Chris Davis, director of public relations for the American Red Cross in Knoxville. "Every little bit counts. A lot of people are going to need help long-term. In the long run, things like this are going to really help people get back on their feet."
According to the American Red Cross, over 60,000 homes were affected by Hurricane Charley with at least 10,500 homes destroyed. Among those affected by the hurricane was Justin Reed, a junior tight end from Punta Gorda, Fla.
"I'm really excited to see the support from my coaches, my teammates and the community," said Reed. "Coach Fulmer offered to let me go home and help out but my parents thought I should stay here and get ready for the season. This gives me the opportunity to offer support from Knoxville."
"I saw Justin after the storm hit Florida and saw how devastated he was. I thought 'how can I help'," said Greg Atkins, assistant football coach for Tennessee. "Coach Fulmer and I talked about it and decided we wanted to find a way to help the American Red Cross raise money for their efforts.
"People in the community see these guys as football players, but these guys do so much. In the next few weeks, we'll start going out to the schools and participating in some of our other community projects. That's why they call us the Volunteers," said Atkins.
Today's autograph session raised more than $870 for the American Red Cross and their efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Charley.
Big Orange Volunteers To Aid Victims In Florida
Tennessee helped raise funds to assist Floridians affected by Hurricane Charley
Aug. 22, 2004
The University of Tennessee partnered with the American Red Cross today to raise funds to assist Floridians affected by Hurricane Charley. For a donation to the American Red Cross, fans had the opportunity to get autographs from Coach Phillip Fulmer and 23 players from this year's roster at West Town Mall.
"Everybody knows someone in Florida, and Hurricane Charley touched a lot of people," said Chris Davis, director of public relations for the American Red Cross in Knoxville. "Every little bit counts. A lot of people are going to need help long-term. In the long run, things like this are going to really help people get back on their feet."
According to the American Red Cross, over 60,000 homes were affected by Hurricane Charley with at least 10,500 homes destroyed. Among those affected by the hurricane was Justin Reed, a junior tight end from Punta Gorda, Fla.
"I'm really excited to see the support from my coaches, my teammates and the community," said Reed. "Coach Fulmer offered to let me go home and help out but my parents thought I should stay here and get ready for the season. This gives me the opportunity to offer support from Knoxville."
"I saw Justin after the storm hit Florida and saw how devastated he was. I thought 'how can I help'," said Greg Atkins, assistant football coach for Tennessee. "Coach Fulmer and I talked about it and decided we wanted to find a way to help the American Red Cross raise money for their efforts.
"People in the community see these guys as football players, but these guys do so much. In the next few weeks, we'll start going out to the schools and participating in some of our other community projects. That's why they call us the Volunteers," said Atkins.
Today's autograph session raised more than $870 for the American Red Cross and their efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Charley.
