Oct. 8, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – South Carolina needed the support, and the Nashville community responded in a big, big way Thursday.
With the Palmetto State faced with historic flooding, Vanderbilt Athletics asked Nashville-area residents to band together and help fill its football equipment truck with bottled water and generators. The response it received was more than it could have asked for.
By 12:30 p.m., the first (yes, the first) semitrailer was already filled. The decision to bring in another truck was soon made by Director of Athletics David Williams as carloads of water continued to be dropped off. By 4:30 p.m., the second trailer was filled. The remaining donations were collected to be given to the Nashville Red Cross.
Each trailer was filled with 1,500 cases of water. Four new generators were also donated, as were 400 pairs of shoes by Nashville’s Soles4Souls.
From children to grandparents and everyone in between, it was a collective effort by Nashvillians that inspired all those involved. Student-athletes joined athletics staff members to help unload waters from each vehicle and then load them into the trailers.
The drive for water and generators began at 7 a.m. with drop points located at Gate 2 of Vanderbilt Stadium and in front of McGugin Center. All water collected Thursday will be delivered to South Carolina’s campus Friday in front of Russell House on Green Street.
Those still looking to make monetary contributions to those in South Carolina can do so through the Red Cross by donating online at www.redcross.org/southcarolina, or by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Contributions may also be sent to P.O. Box 9035, Greenville, SC 29604.
Vanderbilt thanks all those who contributed to Thursday’s flood-relief drive.
Last drop of water #FillTheTrucks pic.twitter.com/gb0MDzdx0u
 vucommodores (@vucommodores) October 9, 2015
Hey guys, because of the tremendous response we are at capacity for our 2nd truck! We won’t be needing anymore water. Y’all are incredible
— vucommodores (@vucommodores) October 8, 2015
All hands on deck out here #GoldFather #FillTheTruck pic.twitter.com/YNzRG8gpEZ
— vucommodores (@vucommodores) October 8, 2015
WOW #FillTheTruck #SCFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/9A6MajCxkJ
— vucommodores (@vucommodores) October 8, 2015
#Vandy Nation & Nashville…we can’t thank you enough. We filled 2 semi trucks today w/water and generators! #SCFlood
— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) October 8, 2015
Relief trailer No. 2 just showed up – gonna be a fun afternoon. FB team ready to work. Bring waters! #scfloodrelief pic.twitter.com/vGSLxwiWLO
 Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) October 8, 2015
Teamwork makes the dream work pic.twitter.com/YCbjgSEkeI
— Vanderbilt WBB (@VandyWBB) October 8, 2015
Big thanks to @TimCorbin @VanderbiltU for helping #scflood victims. To donate head to @VandyFootball stadium today! pic.twitter.com/sZCI4vrtjc
— Ryan Succop (@ryansuccop) October 8, 2015
The record so far! #FillTheTruck #SCFlood pic.twitter.com/u9l4hxTVjs
— vucommodores (@vucommodores) October 8, 2015
Thank you @VandyWBB @coachbalcomb for your outpour of support. You rep @SEC so well. Kudos!! #SCFlood https://t.co/GRTBhs8OI0
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) October 8, 2015
SEC family, from Nashville to Columbia. https://t.co/HYFmrzvUTI
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) October 7, 2015
The Goal — have this truck loaded with bottled water enroute to Columbia Friday AM. Drop off cases Thursday 7am-7pm. pic.twitter.com/WrsfaNnffO
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) October 7, 2015
Awesome to see support from @ClemsonFB @VandyFootball @LSUfball and so many others for Columbia and our state. #THANK YOU
— Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) October 8, 2015
Hearing about all of the support in Nashville for the folks in South Carolina is truly amazing! Shows a lot about our community #SEC
— Dansby Swanson (@LieutenantDans7) October 8, 2015
Thanks to everyone at Vanderbilt for the support! #SEC https://t.co/uqx2Pij71f
— Gamecock Athletics (@GamecocksOnline) October 8, 2015
.@VandyFootball is delivering water to South Carolina to help people affected by flooding. http://t.co/yXNwnring8 pic.twitter.com/DJvKLKjUCt
— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) October 8, 2015
Nashville needed help in 2010. Now SC needs our aid. We’re collecting cases of bottled water Thurs., Oct. 8. #SCFlood pic.twitter.com/mhgK0FaT75
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) October 7, 2015
Appreciate u guys https://t.co/DS8teDHiQ3
— Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) October 8, 2015
Yes it is!! @VandyFootball @VandyBaseball #AnchorDown https://t.co/sr4nDJCwZa
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) October 7, 2015
Special delivery! pic.twitter.com/wOtXhh9XCD
— vucommodores (@vucommodores) October 8, 2015
The Tenn. Air National Guard just dropped off 20 cases. We appreciate you guys! #scflood pic.twitter.com/eZZlRpRmXU
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) October 8, 2015
En route to @vucommodores! #AnchorDown #SCFlood pic.twitter.com/rULFY8lpwv
— Trés Lawless (@jerrylawless3) October 8, 2015
Hey @VanderbiltAlum – so grateful for Vandy Football loading relief supplies for @UofSC and SC. Thank you all!! #SEC #Family @MyCarolina
— Jack Claypoole (@JackClaypoole) October 7, 2015