Many will remember Tavaris Barnes as a defensive end from Clemson that had an outgoing personality larger than his physical body. Barnes left the Tigers, after graduation, to follow his dream of playing professionally and signed with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He has played with Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Washington in the NFL, along with the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football (the only former Clemson player on an opening day Alliance of American Football roster.), and was most recently with the XFL’s DC Defenders (up until the stoppage due to the Coronavirus pandemic).
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As if the hardships of COVID-19 weren’t enough, Barnes and his family suffered even more tragedy on Friday April 17th. It hit his close family in Jacksonville, Florida when the home of Barnes’ grandmother went up in flames. It was found to be a result of an electrical fire.
What made this even harder is the fact that she didn’t have homeowners insurance so Barnes is now trying to raise funds for her to restore her house. He was quoted as saying…
“This house is special to my family as it has been one of the few constants in my life. In fact, I was staying with her as I am in search of my next job after getting laid off by the XFL. My granny worked hard for this home.”
Tavaris on the loss of his Grandmother’s home due to an electrical fire
Daisy Young, Barnes’ grandmother, retired from her full time job at First Coast High School last fall at the age of 72 years old. She had worked there for 24 years. She started working part time as a substitute teacher in an attempt to help pay the bills. This was cut short with school closures due to the Coronavirus and that has caused more stress.
Barnes has given a statement on how the donations will be used…
“All funds raised through this campaign will be going to help the strongest and hardest working woman I know restore her home. We got a quote for professional cleaning to make the house more livable and that alone is going to be $3,000-$5,000 and we will also have to spend that much to get the house painted and we are still working to get an estimate to get the roof fixed and her stove replaced. I would also like to help her replace the furniture that you can see was ruined by this fire.”
Tavaris Barnes on how the donations will be used
Barnes also has made it clear that he wishes he could do more personally and, at the same time, is so grateful for the support of their community has shown. Especially in difficult times like this. Barnes has also made it clear that he would like to say thank you, from the bottom of his heart, to all of those who are able to provide his family with assistance during these difficult times and stated…
“Even if you are not able to help financially, just saying a prayer for us would mean so much,”
There are many ways to help Barnes and his family out. The following info was taken from a Cornerstone Insurance Services Wealth Advisory article:
Clothing Donations
Barnes and his four young daughters had been living in the home and are now displaced to a hotel, while Pearl is living with a family friend. They are in immediate need of clothing and basic necessities. Cornerstone has designated a drop-off location for donated items. The first trip to deliver them will be made this Saturday, April 25th. The items and sizes needed and drop off location are listed below.
Monetary Donations
Barnes has also set up a gofundme page to raise funds for his grandmother and if you’d like to donate to that you can find the link below.
As many are aware, gofundme keeps a portion of all funds donated. For this reason Cornerstone has set up an account to raise funds where every penny of the money raised will go directly to the Barnes family. You may donate to these fundraisers through paypal or venmo by clicking on the subsequent links below.
If you’d like to donate physical items needed, please drop off to the address below by Friday, April 24th.
Cornerstone Wealth Advisory Group
ITEMS NEEDED:
For Children
Little girl size 6/7 or 8 Clothing shoe size 1 Big Kid
Little girl size 5T/6 Clothing, shoe size 11 Child
Little girl size 3T/4T, shoe size 7 Child
Baby girl size 9-12 months, newborn shoe size
For Grandma
Clothing size: Pants size 10, shirt size Medium, Dress size Large, shoe size 8.5
For Tavaris
Clothing size: Pants size 38, shirt size XL and shoe size 13
