Senior defensive end LaTroy Lewis knew there was more to life than college football and the scheduled community service days with teammates. The sparked idea, the business plan, the mentors, and now the non-profit organization:  Project Elevate. The purpose of the foundation is to “mentor, culture, cultivate and educate children while building interpersonal relationships between urban youth and impactful community leaders.”

Lewis teamed up with Sevier Heights in Knoxville, Tennessee, to host Hero Day in honor of the fallen high school local hero and football player, Zaevion Dobson. The event was held at Lonsdale Park near the elementary school where Lewis volunteers in the fourth grade class each week where he reads and mentors students.

Over 300 participants enjoyed jump houses, Hero Day shirts, crafts, food, motivational speakers, a car wash and more. Students were paired up with volunteers to wash cars, pick up trash and help around the park.

“I just hope I’m doing enough & as much as I can because my main concern are these kids,” Lewis said at Hero Day.

The video below is Lewis talking live with Andy & Alison & the morning crew on WIVK 107.7 prior to the October 22nd event.

See photos from Hero Day.

LaTroy Lewis and Zack Dobson

Hero Day t-shirts

Tennessee softball team volunteers at Hero Day

Zenobia Dobson, LaTroy Lewis and his mother

Vols’ Kenny Bynum

Elijah, 4th grader, at Hero Day

Vols defensive line coach Steve Stripling with Lewis

Project Elevate founder LaTroy Lewis & Vols D-line coach Steve Stripling & family

Todd Kelly Jr. and Allison Maurer

Lewis and VFL Jayson Swain

Sevier Heights

Zenobia Dobson snaps a picture of Vols’ Todd Kelly Jr., son Zack Dobson and Ladarius Sackey

No. 24

Project Elevate founder LaTroy Lewis https://saramitchellofficial.com/2016/10/24/senior-defensive-end-is-founder-of-non-profit-organization-project-elevate/

Photo via WVLT’s Lauren Cash