Two NC State football players are working with their family to assist survivors of Helene, the massive storm that ravaged western North Carolina. Brothers Davin and Rylan Vann are working with their mother, Joy Hall-Haley, who owns Joyful Moving, and Durham Rescue Mission to collect supplies for residents in western North Carolina. They have set up on the east side of Close-King Indoor Practice Facility, across from Carter-Finley Stadium. The goal is to “fill a truck” that will leave Thursday.
“It’s just devastating to see people that have lost everything; their whole livelihood, their homes,” Hall-Haley said on Monday afternoon. “I can’t imagine, as a mom, going through that same kind of thing. It’s just amazing to see people already. I really didn’t think that people were gonna come and bring stuff, but I was wrong.” About two hours after the game on Saturday, Hall-Haley said the family discussed how it could help support the survivors.
Hall-Haley admitted she second-guessed herself on Sunday, unsure if they could pull off the feat. Monday, they decided it was possible.
“I just said, ‘Nope, I’m going to do it. I want to help. Davin wants to help, so let’s do it,’” Hall-Haley said. She texted N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren on Monday morning about using the football facilities as a collection site. His response came within seconds and he was “on board immediately,” Davin Vann said. It means a lot to be part of a program and to play for a coach who supports efforts like this, Hall-Haley and Davin Vann said.
“I think it says a lot about coach Doeren,” Davin Vann said. “He does a lot of charity work himself, so I think him allowing us to use the facility for us to do some is very great.” “It makes me feel happy and thankful for Coach Doeren,” Hall-Haley added. “And, thankful that my boys made the right choice to come here.” All items collected by the family and its Joyful Moving team will be given to Durham Rescue Mission for distribution. Due to the storm’s impact, organizations must obtain specific authorization. There were also concerns about reaching the affected areas.
If the truck ends up full, Hall-Haley said there are plans to bring more on site. They are also willing to lead other efforts, because she knows the recovery period will take years.
Collection times are Monday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m. During his weekly news conference, Doeren encouraged residents to bring items and fill the truck with supplies.
“Really proud and thankful for Davin and his family. Davin probably just came off the best game of his career, as well,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said on Monday. “For that to be on his mind today, I think, says a lot about that young man and his family.” Davin, a defensive end, is in his fifth season at N.C. State and second consecutive as a team captain. The graduate student recorded career highs with 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles Saturday against Northern Illinois Rylan, a redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, is in his third season with the Pack.
Aydan White, Isaiah Shirley and Zack Myers are all from the impacted region, Doeren said. Their families are safe but called it a “scary time for them.” Doeren’s son, Jacob, attends Appalachian State in Boone. His second son, Connor, plays at East Tennessee State. ETSU’s team bus was stranded in the flooding on its way to a game. Both are safe, as well. “I think the damage is so much worse than people even understood,” Doeren said. “All the people, the homes, the businesses, communities, state parks that have just been devastated by this flood, it’s really sad and tragic. We are here praying and thinking a lot about the folks in the western part of the state.”
