Terps Fans Help Donta Scott's Family After Philly Floods Damage All Their Belongings

COLLEGE PARK, MD — Maryland Terrapins fans may be focusing on football season, but that has not stopped the community from rallying together to support basketball player Donta Scott.

The junior forward’s family home in Philadelphia flooded after Hurricane Ida brought heavy rain. Scott’s family was forced to evacuate and has been displaced since Sept. 1, Scott said on the GoFundMe campaign he created to help his family recover.

Water levels reached 4 feet within the house, Scott said.

“We aren't sure if we'll ever be able to return. In a matter of hours we lost just about everything we owned,” Scott said. “We lost TVs, laptops, dining room furniture, our entire family room set, kitchenware, clothing, bedding and countless other items.”

In addition to the damage, the floods forced Scott’s family to seek shelter in a hotel. “Expenses are rising rapidly,” Scott said.

“My mother Sandra has always been the rock of our family. I would not be where I am today without her. She has always worked so hard for our family to make ends meet. I'm asking you to please consider helping my family get back on our feet. Any little bit will help during these difficult times.”

Although Ida dampened spirits, Scott’s Terp community came to the rescue with donations pouring into his GoFundMe campaign. Basketball Coach Mark Turgeon called on the community to help Scott. Turgeon, and others within the Terp community, like alumnus Scott Van Pelt and Athletic Director Damon Evans, took to Twitter to raise awareness.

Please consider donating to help Donta Scott and his family recover from Hurricane Ida.

Two weeks ago they were displaced from their home and lost almost all of their possessions due to the terrible flooding.

Thank you for your incredible support. https://t.co/t1OOAULqMp
— Mark Turgeon (@CoachTurgeon) September 14, 2021

“We are a family. And, what does a family do when family members need help? They help,” Evans said on Twitter.

Donations of all sizes, one even reaching $6,000, have helped Scott to surpass his goal of $50,000.

Donors also left Scott and his family uplifting messages, like Carol Baker who said “Terp Nation Strong takes care of Terp Nation. We’ve got your back,” or Daryn Rush who said, “PhillyTerps have your back, Donta.”

“It was a blessing that people are still willing to help out,” Sandra Campbell, Scott’s mother, said to NBC4 Washington.

In just three days, over 800 people raised over $57,000 to help the Scott family get back on their feet. “I appreciate everybody that’s been donating and supporting,” Scott said to NBC4.

Last season, Scott averaged 11 points per game and made 66 percent of his free throws attempted. Looking ahead to Scott’s junior year season, Maryland’s men’s basketball team will be back on Nov. 9 versus Quinnipiac.

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