Elizabethton, Sullivan East fans raise funds for Carter Co. non-profit

BLUFF CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – Football has taken a backset in the Appalachian Highlands, for the most part, in recent days. But, on Monday night, the Cyclones and Patriots met on the gridiron – as neighbors came together to support a worthy cause.

“These are kids and these kids need to feel like being a teenager for a while,” Sullivan East principal Andy Hare said.

It felt like a high school football Friday night – just on a Monday – as Elizabethton lined up against Sullivan East in Bluff City.

But, in the days since the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene, many communities, including Elizabethton, have been left reeling from the destruction.

“We can use all the help we can get,” Carter Compassion Center secretary treasurer Karen Jones explained. “We have many, many hurting families that have lost everything.”

So, administrators at both schools got together with a plan to aid in the healing process.

“The work that Coach Presnell and Coach Carrier – both here and in Elizabethton – did to make this happen was seamless,” Hare said.

The district game, originally scheduled for Friday in Elizabethton, was moved to Monday at Sullivan East. Admission was free of charge – instead, volunteers took donations to directly benefit the Carter Compassion Center.

The center is a non-profit serving the Carter County community.

“We’re directing people to clothing giveaways, food giveaways,” Jones said.

“This is the people that were impacted, so we want them to get the relief efforts that Carter Compassion can provide,” Hare explained.

In all, volunteers collected $5,420 – a sum that reflects the generosity and care witnessed by both communities in recent days.

“Our president Brandon Young has had a lot of phone calls – people wanting to donate,” Jones said.

“We’re taking care of our own, we’re taking care of our neighbors,” Hare said. “I’ve always said, America is at its finest when our backs are against the wall. Well, our back’s against the wall right now – and you’re seeing how great America is.”

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