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Ģ������Ƶsoftball player Kennedy Stewman could tell you how special this community is. She’s lived in it her whole life. The Sylva native has seen her home rally together in times of celebration, excitement and, more recently, need.

The impact of Hurricane Helene has left many across WNC in devastation, but Stewman and her fellow Catamounts have pounced at the chance to help.

“I think that it sends a good message that if you have the means to do something, you should,” Stewman said. “I think Cullowhee, our athletic department, and everyone here is doing a great job of understanding what family means and how we should be there for others in times of need."

In the few weeks after Helene hit, members of the Catamount athletic community united to lend a hand to those in distress, most notably at the Jackson County Airport. The Ģ������Ƶmen’s basketball, soccer, football and softball teams and other student-athletes assisted in a community service project dubbed “Operation Airdrop.”

At the airport, teams unloaded planes, some as far as the West Coast, full of medical materials, baby supplies, canned goods and more. The student-athletes sorted out those items, which were later distributed to different communities.

“I think it was really cool to see people giving back to the community that I’m from and love so much,” Stewman said. “I’m a lifelong resident of Sylva, so I’ve seen firsthand how amazing this community is and how much this community loves each other.

“It’s really awesome to see athletes that aren’t from here but are a part of this community now give back to it as well.”

Outside of Operation Airdrop, several athletics teams across campus participated in their charitable activities.

Stewman volunteered at Spruce Pine near Burnsville, and the Ģ������Ƶbaseball team helped distribute meals in Jackson County and deliver supplies to those in need in Asheville. For Ģ������Ƶbaseball player Brody Raleigh, the hour-long trip to the east was an eye-opening experience.

“It was something different I’ve never seen. Destruction was unbelievable,” Raleigh said. “You see it on TV, but it’s one thing to see it when you're actually there.

“They obviously really needed help, and it felt good to kinda be that person to bring them things they need,” he said. “The look on people’s faces when we’d open up our trailer and there’s a bunch of supplies, it’s something special to see.”

Members of the soccer team also helped sort out supplies at Fairview School in Sylva, and with some teamwork, the Catamounts got the job done in a flash.

“We got it done pretty quickly. Within an hour, we were in and out of there,” said Kirsten Hahn, a Ģ������Ƶsoccer player. “It’s just so amazing to see so many people want to come together and help, regardless of age or anything like that.”

The Catamount football squad also opened car doors at a handful of elementary schools around the area.

“Just giving them some encouragement and some positivity to start their day with, especially when they’re going to school during this time because you never know how their home life or relatives or their friends or family are holding up,” said Colby Cross, a Ģ������Ƶfootball player.

Catamount Athletics also held a “Fill the Truck” initiative at the team’s Oct. 12 home game against The Citadel, where fans were encouraged to bring non-perishables and toiletry items. However, Ģ������Ƶsupporters didn’t just fill the truck; they filled three of them.