LOOK: Zakai Zeigler thanks Tennessee fans for helping him through times of tragedy

There was a GoFundMe set up in support of Tennessee Volunteer Zakai Zeigler and his family following a horrible fire at their New York home back in early March. The donations massively exceeded goals in just 24 hours. On top of losing their possessions, the family lost items that Zeigler’s mother, Charmane, said were critical to the care of his four-year-old nephew with special needs.

On Friday afternoon, Zeigler took to Twitter to thank the Tennessee Volunteer fan base for helping him out through such tragic times.

Just an appreciation post but Thank You Vol Nation for everything you have done for my family and I🧡 #VFL

— Zakai Zeigler (@Realzakaiz) July 8, 2022

Starting with a goal of $50,000, donations exceeded that sum within 40 minutes. The GoFundMe project raised more than $350,000 in donations.

After surpassing the initial figure, which the Zeigler family estimated would help cover costs to recoup their losses, the Vols guard shared an important update a few months ago in early March.

“We have been absolutely blown away by the outpouring of support and generosity!” Zakai Zeigler wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Any contributions above and beyond our final losses/expenses will be donated to charity. Thank you to everyone who has given.”

More than 5,400 people donated the $350,000+ total with several individuals, some anonymous, donating more than $2,000.

Zeigler family suffers house fire in Long Island

During the SEC Network broadcast of Tennessee’s game against Georgia, the announcers shared a heartbreaking story. They detailed what was a long week for Zakai Zeigler and his family. After an apartment fire claimed their home, his mother began traveling with the team.

During the postgame press conference, Vols’ head coach Rick Barnes further addressed the story and what the athletic program is doing to help out.

“Tough night for Zakai, you all know what he went through after our game,” said Barnes. “His mom losing everything in a fire up in New York. It’s the first time he really hasn’t been the Zakai that we’ve known from day one, it’s been a very emotional day. You saw his mom here for the first time since the fire. It’s been a tough couple of days for him.

“When I saw him on Sunday, he looked like he hadn’t been in bed all night, and he actually said he was up until 5-6 in the morning. He loves his family, he loves his mom to death and his dad. They were there, they lost it all. And I asked him, ‘what about you?’ And he responded, ‘I’ve got what I have here.’ But he was obviously really concerned about his mother and the family.”

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to this article.