Many of the Hokie Nation have watched the devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in recent weeks. While our region hasn’t been directly in the path of these storms, Jenny Fuente and the wives of other coaches are banding together to help those hit the hardest by these natural disasters.
“Thousands of Americans are still suffering from the impact of recent hurricanes,” Jenny Fuente said. “For moms like me, it’s hard to imagine what some of these families are enduring right now. Thanks to the leadership of Kelsey Patterson at TCU, wives of coaches across the country are trying to help through Giving Beyond the Game. Please consider joining us today.”
“Giving Beyond the Game” is a fundraising effort organized by a group of NCAA college football coaches’ wives including Fuente from across the country to raise money for victims of recent natural disasters. The 2017 campaign will include an auction for autographed football helmets from each participating university, as well as the opportunity to donate online to the initiative.
The online auction, available on the GIVING BEYOND THE GAME website will launch at noon Wednesday, Nov. 1 and run through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15.
GIVING BEYOND THE GAME was conceived as a response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. This not-for-profit project is raising funds specifically for the Houston Food Bank, Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Response Team, Feeding South Florida, and International Medical Corps.
The need for relief in these areas will be extensive and long-term. Donations will be housed at Communities Foundation of Texas and upon termination of the fall campaign; funds will be distributed to these charities for the purpose of providing relief to storm-damaged areas.
The founders of the project, which include the wives of many NCAA college football coaches, encourage donors from their respective colleges and fan bases to share this fundraising project to increase its presence and aid in fundraising.
Wives’ team includes: Kristi Malzahn (Auburn), Kes Harsin (Boise State), Kathleen Swinney (Clemson), Donna Tedford (Fresno State), Susan Johnson (Georgia Tech), Sharon Snyder (Kansas State) Katharyn Richt (University of Miami), Becky Dantonio (Michigan State), Tia Odom (University of Missouri), Christi Fedora (University of North Carolina), Shelley Meyer (Ohio State), Caitlin Riley (University of Oklahoma), Fumi Franklin (Penn State), Elise Jones (South Alabama), Kori Shaw (Stanford), Kelsey Patterson & Kate Dykes (TCU), Michelle Herman (University of Texas), Charlene Sumlin (Texas A&M), Jenny Fuente (Virginia Tech), Barbara Petersen (University of Washington) and Kerry Gibson (West Virginia).
