Hurricane Helene devastated towns in the southeast, and the death toll has surpassed 120 at this point. The storm disrupted life at many universities in the area as well, however two universities, Duke and Eastern Tennessee State, are stepping up to help communities affected by Hurricane Helene.
In the aftermath of the hurricane flooding rivers and submerging towns in the Carolinas and Tennessee, these universities have organized relief drives to help.
At Duke University, students, alumni, faculty or anyone who wants to help those affected by the Helene can donate items to the relief drive. To further incentivize donations, Duke — in partnership with Two Men and a Truck — is offering discounted ticket packages to football and basketball games for every five items donated. Blue Devil fans have a chance to purchase one football ticket for $25 in the game against Virginia Tech on Nov. 23, or one general admission basketball ticket for $45 in the game against Seattle Nov. 29.
The donations will be accepted through Oct. 11 at the athletic ticket office. The school is seeking non-perishable food, water, trash bags, blankets, first-aid supplies, hand sanitizer, diapers and more.
At Eastern Tennessee State University, donations will be collected this week and personally delivered by student-athletes and ETSU staff members to communities and neighborhoods in need. ETSU is partnering with BSN Sports to donate new clothing to the victims of Hurricane Helene as well as offering their own athletic apparel to the devastated communities. From the community, ETSU is seeking toiletries, water, non-perishable food and cleaning supplies.
The opportunities to donate will continue at this Saturday’s ETSU football game. According to ETSUBucs.com, “Fans can bring donations to the Food City Fan Zone in Lot 21, while bins will also be set up at the stadium entrances.”
When the basketball season kicks off at ETSU, the athletic department will donate profits of all single-game ticket sales for the home opener to Greene County victims of Hurricane Helene.
