As Trey Futrell takes small steps towards recovering from a horrific car crash this past weekend, several individuals are rallying to assist the 20-year-old and his family in their time of need.

Futrell, a 2015 graduate of Northeast Academy where he was a three-sport standout, was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Saturday as he was traveling on Firetower Road in Northampton County. The single-vehicle crash resulted in life-threatening head trauma and Futrell remains hospitalized in serious condition at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.

“Trey’s mom and dad (Beth and Billy Futrell of the Creeksville community) haven’t left his side since the accident,” said Brandi Davis, a longtime friend of the family who attends the same church (Creeksville Baptist). “They need our love and support at this time; we all need to pray for Trey.”

While hundreds of prayers have been lifted up in Trey’s name over the past several days, that according to multiple posts on Facebook, friends of the family are also aware of another need – financial support for the Futrells.

Davis has turned what started as a small effort into a proverbial runaway locomotive.

“Trey and my boyfriend play on the same softball team in Roanoke Rapids,” she noted. “That team had a game on Monday night and I used my small silk-screening operation at home to create three #TEAMTREY t-shirts we wore to that game. There was such a demand by others to have that same t-shirt that I had to come up with another plan. I had no idea that this would take off like it did with all these t-shirt orders.”

That plan included a phone call to Troy Smith Jr., owner of TD Sports in Rich Square – a local silk-screening business.

Her initial request was for 285 shirts, all pre-ordered and paid for at $10 each. She placed another order with Smith on Wednesday afternoon – this one for 250 shirts.

“I’ll keep taking orders as long as they come in,” Davis said, adding that those interested can either send her a text at 252-578-7611 or send her a message on her Facebook page.

All proceeds will be donated to the Futrell family.

The t-shirts (Gildan brand) are 100 percent cotton and are available in all adult sizes as well as Youth XS (5-6), Youth Small (6-8), Youth Medium (10-12), Youth Large (14-16), and Youth XL (16-18).

Smith said he cranked up his silk-screening work stations on Wednesday, and made a sizeable donation to the effort as well.

“After talking to my wife about this, we decided to donate the first 100 printed tees at no cost and then print the remainder at a greatly reduced rate,” Smith stated. “We feel it’s important to reach out to the Futrell family and help them in any way we can in their time of need.”

Those who would like to make a direct donation to the family can do so online through www.tmcfunding.com (search for Trey Futrell).

Meanwhile, a candlelight prayer vigil will be held for Trey tonight (Thursday; 8:30 p.m.) at the Northeast Academy football field. In case of inclement weather, the event will take place in the school gym.

“I coached Trey for five years and he and his family are very special to me,” said Northeast Academy head football coach Stevie Flythe. “Trey and his family need all the prayers and support they can get right now, so please come out on Thursday night. If you can’t make it, then please take a moment and say a prayer for this family.”

Flythe said Trey was an outstanding athlete during his junior varsity and varsity careers.

“In football, he was my coach on the field,” Flythe remarked. “He didn’t mind telling you what he felt would work and what wouldn’t work.”

Coach Flythe recalled one particular game at Hobgood Academy back in his first season as head varsity coach.

“Trey was a freshman,” Flythe said. “We were up by a touchdown, but faced a 4th down and 20 play deep in our own territory. I sent Trey in to punt. He saw something in the way Hobgood was lined up and when he took the snap, he took off running from our own endzone. He gained 21 yards, just enough for a first down. That play kept the drive alive and we eventually scored, taking a two-TD lead and we went on to win the game, my first victory with the varsity team.”

And what did the coach say to his young punter after that particular play?

“I told him he made a nice run, but to never do that again (run instead of punt),” Flythe recalled.

One other fundraiser for the Futrell family has been scheduled – a barbequed chicken dinner (with all the fixings) from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18 at the Kabin Branch Hunt Club, located at 791 Britton Road near Pendleton. Plates are $8 each (make checks payable to the OT Hunting Club c/o Trey Futrell).

Only 500 plates will be available. Those pre-ordering five or more plates can have them delivered.

To order a plate or for more info, call 252-396-5118.