Unless you live in the state of West Virginia and have seen it in person, you truly can’t wrap your head around the devastation and heartbreak that’s taken place in the area — and the cleanup that’s still ongoing. One very powerful man in the game of college football who used to call God’s Country home has seen it, and is now calling on those in his adopted state to reach out and help someone.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban, the school announced Thursday, is asking coaches across the state of Alabama to help the communities devastated by the flooding. Specifically, Saban, who was born and raised in Fairmont, WV, is asking that high schools in the state donate full football uniforms as part of the relief effort.
Because of the damage sustained in some communities, high schools in several counties likely won’t be able to field teams this fall without help from outside.
“Football was such an important part of my childhood in West Virginia, and to see the devastation the flooding has caused, and how it has threatened so many high school football teams, we wanted to find a way to help,” Saban said in a statement. “We are asking each high school from across the state to donate a full uniform to help these schools get their kids back on the football field this season.”
From the release:
Many of the West Virginia high schools affected by this flooding are in need of all types of football pads and uniforms. High schools making donations are being asked to provide one uniform, including helmet, a pair of shoulder pads, two knee pads, two thigh pads, a girdle, practice pants, practice jersey and one pair of cleats. Small and medium sizes are in the most need, but large will also be accepted.
The Alabama football program will collect all of these uniforms by July 25 so they can be transported to West Virginia. Those wishing to help can send their donations to: Mal Moore Athletic Complex, Attn: Jeff Springer, 323 Bryant Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.
Also, if you’d like to donate to the relief effort outside of football, check out any of the following links: Red Cross; the local chapter of United Way; the West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster; the Greenbrier resort; Save the Children; and other local groups.
Some very good people could certainly use any and all of the help they can get.
