CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – By 9 a.m., the University of Virginia grounds were packed with fans who had begun to tune in. Three locations away from Scott Stadium, where the Cavaliers were preparing to play UNC, UVA Athletics spent the morning rooting for their opponent’s home state of Helene-plagued North Carolina.

The department reached out to the Charlottesville community, asking fans to drop in donations leading up to the game. The community responded in a big way, bringing nearly $10,000 in relief goods to collection points on Friday alone.

Volunteer athletic department members like Ryan Moody and Gordon Schoeller said taking time to help out on a Saturday morning was a no-brainer.

“So many people, whether it’s in this community or the surrounding communities, give back to Charlottesville and give back to UVA,” said UVA Athletics volunteer Moody. “So we want to come back when we can.”

Game day would be a good opportunity to reach a lot of people, Shoeller added.

“I think it’s an easy way with a football game day, obviously, for a bunch of people coming into town to get some supplies together,” Schoeller said.

Truckloads of donations will go straight to western North Carolina to those in need.

“I know the athletic department wanted to support in any way they could,” Moody said. “We thought about big things, small things, anything we can do to help.”

Donations included food, toiletries, baby items and first aid supplies. The athletes joined the staff in collecting the goods.

“You have to be able to help in any way you can, like just having some empathy and seeing people who are struggling,” UVA baseball player Joey Colucci said. “I want to come here and help.”

Colucci spent both Friday and Saturday volunteering and said the community turnout was massive.

“We went to the United Way of North Carolina, the state of North Carolina, and then they sent us the list items that they needed,” said Tony Belt, senior director of associated athletes. “So we’re sending this list to the Charlottesville community, who we know is always willing to play a part and help where they can.”

Belt said he was grateful to the Charlottesville community for coming out in a big way and to the student-athletes who came forward to help.

“At this point in the semester, he could definitely have a good time before today’s game,” Belt said. “And you know, for him to be here until, you know, you know, eight, nine o’clock last night, you know, just speaks volumes for all the people who are willing to participate.”

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