On April 19, Demarcus Ware Day in Alabama, the Trojan alumnus and Super Bowl MVP returned to do something for the community that has supported him so long in his career.

Ahead of throwing out the first pitch at the Trojan softball game and serving as an honorary coach at Saturday’s T-Day game, Ware’s first stop in Troy Friday was at Saint Peter Baptist Church, where he came to help collect essential items for victims of tornado strikes in Pike and Lee counties.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” Ware said. “When the tornadoes hit Lee County and all the disaster there, and then to have it hit home again in Pike County, I wanted to spend Demarcus Ware Day doing something that would make an impact and raise some awareness of the people out here that need help.”

Ware is a Lee County native and, of course, played his college football days in Troy.

An EF4 tornado hit Lee County near Beauregard and Smiths Station on Sunday, March 3, killing 23 people and leaving a trail of damage in its wake.

On Sunday, April 14, an EF1 tornado touched down at Hunter’s Mountain Mobile Estates in Troy and carved it’s way through to the areas of College, Murphree and Three Notch Streets. Nobody was injured in the tornado despite several mobile homes being destroyed at Hunter’s Mountain.

Ware partnered with Troy Athletics and the City of Troy to collect supplies ahead of his arrival including water bottles, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other essential items.

“It’s amazing how on such short notice, people from the school and the community have almost filled a truck with donated goods,” Ware said. “It shows how the community is like family here in Troy. Everybody just gravitates to good, they want to be here and serve.”

Troy Mayor Jason Reeves said the community is appreciative of Ware returning to Troy all these years after he left for the NFL to take care of the community.

“We appreciate DeMarcus, Troy Athletics, St. Peter and everybody involved for doing this,” said Mayor Jason Reeves. “A lot of people have asked what they could do to help those affected by the storm and this is something that will do that.”