Community Bulletin
Fred W. Eberle Technical Center in Buckhannon is enrolling students in its commercial driver’s license (CDL) training program, an accelerated course that can be completed in five to seven weeks. Both daytime and limited evening sessions are available. Read more →
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BUCKHANNON — In the hours after flash flooding swept through the area last Tuesday evening, members of the Buckhannon-Upshur football team traded helmets and shoulder pads for work gloves, helping neighbors and friends begin the long process of cleaning up.
What began as players checking on teammates and family members quickly grew into a wider volunteer effort, Buckhannon-Upshur head coach Sloan Baisden said.
“It started with the players helping teammates and family members,” Baisden said. “It began with word of mouth and individual needs throughout the team. Eventually, it got onto Facebook, and we started working with people in the community to get players around town in a more targeted way. Then it turned into helping community drives, churches and business owners.”
Since then, Baisden said, between 25 and 30 players have helped unload supply trucks, tear up flooring and carpet, clean out basements and homes, move debris and distribute materials and supplies during donation drives.
For Baisden, the response has been about more than flood cleanup. It has been a chance for his players to serve the same community that supports them on Friday nights.
“We’ve pressed the topic of helping those in need, and to have this number of players and families willing to give their own time is incredible,” Baisden said. “So many people have lost more than we can imagine, so even the smallest gesture goes a long way.”
He said the effort has reinforced a lesson coaches often try to teach: being part of a team means showing up when others need help.
“It’s an opportunity to teach the team that it’s more than football,” Baisden said. “This is our community, and we need to help any chance we can. To have 25 to 30 players actively helping on short notice says so much about who they are and how much they care for our community.”
