Vols OL Dayne Davis raising money, taking supplies to East Tennessee flood victims
Tennessee offensive lineman Dayne Davis used his off day on Sunday, after getting back from Arkansas in the early morning hours, to drive groceries and household items to Hurricane Helene flood victims in need in upper East Tennessee.
Davis, the sixth-year former walk-on offensive lineman, is a native of Bluff City, Tenn. He posted a picture on social media on Sunday showing the haul of relief goods he took back home.
“Obviously a lot came through my region back home,” Davis said during his press conference on Monday. “I was able to go yesterday back to Nava, Tennessee, just above Mountain City, which is probably a good two and a half, two (hours) and 45 minutes. It’s a good little drive.
“But we took about $4,000, $4,500 worth of groceries and other items that was needed to Elizabethton Parks and Rec.”
Thank you to everybody that has donated to the gofundme to help families in need in the Northeast TN Region. Bringing all of this plus some to those affected today in Elizabethton, Unicoi, Washington County, Greene County and Mountain City. pic.twitter.com/sa36ZGdhih
— Dayne Davis (@BigDayne_Davis) October 6, 2024
Many communities in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina were devastated by catastrophic floodwaters on September 27 from Hurricane Helene.
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency on Sunday released a flash report that confirmed 12 weather-related fatalities in East Tennessee, including five in Unicoi County, two in Cocke County, two in Washington County and one each in Greene County, Knox County and Johnson County.
Davis said the devastation hit close to home on a friend’s farm.
“They’ve lost four houses on that farm,” Davis said, “that were swept away by what was about a six-foot wide creek.”
His drive on Sunday also included a firsthand look at the aftermath of the flooding.
“We were able to drive up there yesterday,” Davis said, “and you’re just driving up the mountain and you look off the side of the road and there’s a car wrapped around a tree. There’s a house that’s been completely ripped off its platform.
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“And there’s a lot of people up there that need help. It’s just really sad to see what’s come to the region.”
Dayne Davis raising money online to help East Tennessee flood victims
The 6-foot-7, 333-pound Davis, starred at Sullivan East High School in Bluff City before joining the Tennessee Football program as a preferred walk-on in 2019. He earned a scholarship in December 2020 and since then has played in 42 career games, making six starts at right tackle. He’s also played left tackle and center. He’s a Tennessee graduate and is a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member.
Davis raised money for the area through a GoFundMe account. He wrote on social media Sunday that he would be leaving the account open this week and that he plans to take another load to the area this weekend.
The fundraising account as of Tuesday morning had raised $7,856 with a goal of $10,000. Donations can be made here.
“Just trying to use my platform to help those people back home,” Davis said. “If there’s people out there that’s able to donate, there’s people that really need it.”
