Join Aggie Athletics in #BTHOHarvey Relief Effort

Some ways you can help: visit bthoharvey.org Blood Drive - Monday 10-4 - Hall of Champions (details below)

   

Following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey just a short drive from our campus, people around the globe have seen images of Texans helping Texans.
 
That "can-do" spirit that Texans are known for, the willingness to help a neighbor ethic that we in this great state know so well has been on display for all the world to see.
 
So it's no surprise that Aggie teams, coaches and student-athletes have jumped right in to lend whatever hand they could in the effort.
 
Texas A&M Athletics has thrown its full support behind the grass-roots bthoharvey.org, a student-led effort that has the cooperation of more than 150 Texas A&M student organizations. Those efforts include plans to raise money, relief items and to host a blood drive in conjunction with the Red Cross.
 

 
"It's really a tough time," Aggie head football coach Kevin Sumlin said. "Now that the pictures and the videos are coming out, I think the rest of the world understands what people in this region have known for the last three days. It's something that hits home with us with the number of players from the Gulf Coast area, and from Houston in particular, on our team. It's a tough time for the people of Houston and the Gulf Coast, and our thoughts and prayers are with them."
   
The football team will wear a special helmet sticker Sunday night in the Rose Bowl to remind a national television audience that millions are – and will be – hurting for quite some time as the effects of the storm linger.
   
"The thought process behind the decal was to symbolize and acknowledge what happened, as well as what we're feeling," Assistant Athletic Director for Apparel Matt Watson said. "It is intended to show that Texas shares one heartbeat and those affected are in our hearts and that they are not alone."
 
The Aggie men's basketball put together a clothing drive which ran through the back half of the week.
   
"Most of my friends and family lost their homes," said Friendswood native and junior basketball player Chris Collins. "My house got a couple feet of water in it, my parents lost their cars. Seeing pictures of a place I grew up, a place I spent my entire life…it's pretty crazy."
 
"I think the truly inspiring thing is seeing how many people are willing to give of themselves now, and going forward," former Aggie men's basketball player Alex Caruso said.

"Having had family go through Hurricane Katrina I understand the devastation that is taking place in the Houston area," head coach Billy Kennedy said. "Families and communities are battling to establish a new normal. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by the storm. We all must come together and support those hurt by the devastation."
   
A&M's other teams have also donated whatever time and supplies they can to aid in efforts.
   
BTHOHarvey has organized a blood drive Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside Kyle Field's Hall of Champions.