BOONE, N.C. — A collaboration between Appalachian State University’s Physical Plant, Athletics department and Marching Mountaineers helped sophomore Cameron “Cam” Hunter deliver 500 cases of bottled water to Wallace and Elizabethtown — areas hit hard by Hurricane Florence — in late September.
A third of the water Hunter collected was delivered to a distribution site at a volunteer fire department in Wallace, and the remainder was taken to the Bladen County Disaster Relief Distribution Center in Elizabethtown, said Bob Smith, manager of Appalachian’s Motor Pool and one of the drivers who delivered the water.
“So, he felt like, ‘If she can do that, there’s got to be something I can do.’” For Hunter, a biology major and member of Appalachian’s track and field team from Winston-Salem, the motivation to help those impacted by Hurricane Florence was inspired by a personal connection with such a disaster.
“I had a sister who was in Hurricane Katrina, so I know how hurricanes can affect people,” he said.
When the amount of bottled water donated could no longer fit in Hunter’s dorm room in Bowie Hall — where he is also a resident assistant — Banks found a spot for the water to be stored on the third floor of the Mark E. Ricks Athletics Complex.
Banks, Hunter and a few other students began by bringing down carts and pallets full of cases, and before long, a line of student-athletes who had been exercising in the athletics complex that morning joined the cause and — hauling a case or two of bottled water — made their way to the concourse.
Once the trailer was loaded, Banks, Hunter and the drivers traveled to the Boone Walmart to pick up 84 more cases of bottled water donated by the store, bringing the total to be delivered to 500 cases.
“Both groups were most appreciative for the donation.” About Mountaineer Athletics More than 450 student-athletes compete in 20 NCAA Division I varsity sports at Appalachian State University, 10 for men and 10 for women.
Appalachian was a dominant force in the Southern Conference for more than 40 years before joining the Sun Belt Conference in July 2014 — one of 10 conferences that are members of the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
About Appalachian State University Appalachian State University, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all.