A ROAD TRIP FOR HEROES

For some, heroes have numbers on their backs. For us, our heroes are Eddie and Chris Canales, founders of Gridiron Heroes Spinal Cord Injury Foundation. 

This month Eddie and Chris embarked on a State of Texas road trip to raise funds and awareness through Gridiron Heroes' "Road Trip for Heroes II." The goal is to raise $125,000 and donate two wheelchair-accessible vans to Gridiron Heroes families. More information can be found at www.RoadTripHeroes.org.

Diondre receiving his new van.

The most memorable moment of the Molina vs. R.L. Turner high school football game in Dallas, Texas on August 28 wasn’t a game-winning touchdown or a jaw dropping catch; rather it was during halftime when Gridiron Heroes presented a wheelchair-accessible van to Diondre Preston. Just four years earlier, on the same football field, Diondre took his last steps before suffering a spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic.

“Just being able to ride around instead of being in the house all the time will be different,” said the 21-year-old, who resides in DeSoto with his mother, Maya, and a 17-year-old sister. “I think my first trip will be to go get something to eat. I feel like I can do things now like I did before.”

“It is so important after they finish high school to be there for support when the families still have to deal with reality,” said Gridiron Heroes founder Eddie Canales. 

ABC News in Dallas (WFAA-8), captured the emotion... 

http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/local/dallas-county/2014/08/29/spinal-cord-injury-no-longer-keeps-quarterback-captive/14775893/

In 2013, the inaugural Road Trip raised over $118,000 for Gridiron Heroes, which provides resources and support to individuals suffering catastrophic spinal cord injury through activities associated with high school football. From this, two new wheelchair-accessible vans were awarded to Gridiron Heroes families.

Prominent college football coaches and celebrities serve as members of the Steering Committee (below), and participate in campaign promotion and media events.

Road Trip for Heroes Steering Committee

After kicking off the 2014 Road Trip in Dallas, Gridiron Heroes founders (father and son Eddie and Chris Canales) will make their way through College Station and Houston before wrapping up the Road Trip at home in San Antonio.

Road Trip for Heroes II is co-chaired by Bruce Gillooly of San Antonio and Christie Loyd of Houston, who lead a Committee of over 25 volunteers throughout the State of Texas to raise funds for the campaign.

About Gridiron Heroes Spinal Cord Injury Foundation

www.GridironHeroes.org

On November 2, 2001, Chris Canales, a senior defensive back playing for San Marcos Baptist Academy, sustained a spinal cord injury during the fourth quarter of his final regular season game. Chris lay motionless on the field for 19 minutes. The next three weeks, Chris fought for his life. The following months he battled through rehabilitation trying to gain movement and learning how to function as a quadriplegic. Chris’ injury and the lack of any organized support system for families prompted his father, Eddie, to begin discussions about the desperate need for an organization for families who were forced to deal with the consequences of this devastating injury.

In November of 2002, Chris and Eddie were in attendance at the Texas 3A State Championship football game in the Alamodome in San Antonio. There they witnessed another spinal cord injury, Everman defensive back Corey Fulbright. Chris turned to his dad and said, “We need to go help them. I know what he (Corey) is going to go through, and you know what the family will have to go through.” Inspired by the compassion of Chris, Eddie formed Gridiron Heroes Spinal Cord Injury Foundation.

Gridiron Heroes was founded in 2003 with a specific mission: To provide immediate and long term resources and support to individuals sustaining catastrophic spinal cord injury through activities associated with high school football.

Since inception, Gridiron Heroes has provided direct support of over $600,000 to more than 50 high school football players who have sustained a life changing spinal cord injury and their families. Additionally, the Foundation has become an important resource and inspiration to those who have been devastated by this experience.

In 2011, the Canales’ and Gridiron Heroes were recognized as a Top 10 CNN Hero of the Year for their significant impact. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhQRoduO35Y 

Article references...

http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2014/08/former-molina-star-qb-diondre-preston-paralyzed-during-a-game-in-2010-to-receive-van-from-gridiron-heroes-at-halftime-of-thursdays-molina-r-l-turner-game.html/

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/high-schools/molina-news/headlines/20140828-molina-s-diondre-preston-receives-new-handicap-accessible-van-four-years-after-paralyzing-injury.ece

JUNE JONES AND POLYNESIAN NFL PLAYERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH AMERICAN SAMOA GOODWILL MISSION

Southern Methodist University Head Football Coach June Jones led a delegation of medical professionals and Polynesian NFL football legends to Pago Pago for the Seventh Annual American Samoa Goodwill Mission. Since inception, the mission has donated several million dollars in medical supplies and athletic equipment to people of American Samoa.

“This mission is important to a number of people and certainly holds a special place in my heart,” said June Jones. “Over my career, I’ve been extremely fortunate to get to know the people and culture of American Samoa. It has had a profound impact on my life and this is just one way that we’re able to give back."

In addition to Coach Jones, leading this year’s group of Polynesian football stars was four-time Super Bowl Champion Jesse Sapolu, two-time Super Bowl Champion Ma’a Tanuvasa, former Philadelphia Eagles running back Reno Mahe, former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jack “the Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson and former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Luther Elliss. Other guests included Tyler Seau (eldest son of Junior Seau) and professional golfer Gipper Finau.

“In 2008, when Coach Jones asked me to be a part of this trip, it was a no-brainer,” said Sapolu. “The work being done here means so much to so many people and I’m proud to say we are truly making a difference. As long as Coach Jones continues this mission, I will be here, too."

For Jones, this trip is really about giving back to a place and group of people that have had a major influence on his life. Although hailing from Portland, the former quarterback has spent a great deal of his life in Polynesia. It began during his collegiate playing career at the University of Hawai’i, the same place he would go on to become the school’s winningest head coach in history. Jones would come to know the Polynesian way of life, and the culture’s unwavering sense of family and faith. These experiences made a lasting impact and helped lead him to establish the Goodwill Mission.

This year, the Sapolu Youth Foundation sponsored several boys and a girls fitness programs. Participants also heard from the football stars emphasizing the importance of education and received autographs at the conclusion of the day’s activities. 

Goodwill Mission doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners delivered medical supplies and supported patients at the Pago Pago based LBJ Medical Center. Every year, the team collects donated supplies, equipment and medicine from the medical community. These items are then shipped via ocean and air cargo to American Samoa. 

“What our medical team does here is simply amazing,” said Marci Tapusoa, who leads the medical team each year. “Every time we come, we hear a new story about the impact these supplies have made on the people of American Samoa. It’s truly a credit to the doctors and nurses that donate their time and resources to make all this possible. I am so proud to be a part of this effort.”

In addition to the youth and medical programs, the mission also awards $10,000 ($2,000 each) in academic scholarships to five high school seniors who attend a college in the United States. Recipients are selected by the American Samoa Department of Education. This year, honorees were recognized in a ceremony by American Samoa Lieutenant Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga, Goodwill Mission delegation members, government officials, local media members and families of the recipients.

And while the annual Goodwill Mission trip continues to make an impact on the lives of the Samoans, there’s no doubt it has a tremendous impact on those making the journey as well. Each year, members of the traveling party come away with a newfound respect for the Polynesian way of life and this trip was no different.

“I actually missed my son’s graduation from Oregon State University to be a part of this year’s trip,” said Sapolu. “We had a discussion before I made the decision and he actually told me that I needed to make this trip for the kids of American Samoa. It truly is a powerful experience.”

The American Samoa Goodwill Mission is made possible by a grant provided by The Loyd Charitable Foundation. Other generous support has been provided by Hawaiian Airlines, Blue Sky Communications, Tradewinds Hotel and the Samoa Bowl Committee.

ABOUT THE JUNE JONES FOUNDATION 

The June Jones Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for needy families of children with life-threatening illnesses as well as other charitable causes.

The emotional, physical, and spiritual impact a seriously ill child has on a family cannot be measured. The June Jones Foundation is dedicated to lifting their spirits by providing grants, programming and support.

DAVE RICE FOUNDATION AND JIMMY KIMMEL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The Third Annual “An Evening with Dave Rice” event, which was held Saturday, May 17 at the MGM Grand, was a tremendous success, raising money and awareness for the Dave Rice Foundation’s fight against Autism.

Highlighting the event was special guest host, late night TV personality and Dave Rice Foundation board member, Jimmy Kimmel. Also in attendance were Jimmy’s longtime friends and his famous Aunt Chippy. Kimmel, who generously donated his time to be on hand in Las Vegas, charmed attendees with his trademark wit and humor, while also leading the charge in generosity. At one point during the live auction, Kimmel bid $10,000 to take home a self-portrait, created by performance speed painter, Tim Decker.

“Certainly for Jimmy to be here and take time out of his busy schedule to be part of this is something that’s exciting for us,” said Foundation chairman and UNLV Runnin’ Rebels head basketball coach, Dave Rice.

“What the Dave Rice Foundation is doing for families in southern Nevada affected by Autism is immeasurable,” said Kimmel. “As a Las Vegas native, and with a family member on the Autism spectrum, I am proud to assist Coach Rice in these meaningful efforts.”

In addition to the Kimmel painting, Decker delighted the 400-plus guests with speed paintings of Frank Sinatra and the Statue of Liberty.

“It’s been tremendous for Mindy and me because it’s a cause that’s not only important to us on the surface, but it’s extremely important to us personally with our son Dylan being on the Autism spectrum,” Rice told the Las Vegas Sun’s Taylor Bern.

The story of a child affected by Autism is one that’s all too familiar to the Rice family. It was just six years ago that Dave and Mindy received the news their son Dylan had been diagnosed with the condition.

Naturally, the news prompted plenty of questions … What is Autism? How do you treat it? What does this mean for our son’s future? Unfortunately, the family found it difficult to acquire answers.

“Going back, I wish our doctor could have given me a name, a phone number, a pamphlet, anything that would be a road map that would give us a starting point to what came next on the journey through Autism,” said Mindy Rice, secretary and treasurer of the Foundation.

Fast forward to 2014 and Dylan, now 11-years-old, is doing very well. So well, in fact, that he actually took the stage with friend Daniel Allen (son of board member D.J. Allen) to address the crowd and help introduce Kimmel at the event. But while Dylan’s progress has been tremendous, it didn’t cause Dave and Mindy to forget about the struggles of getting to that point. Those were the memories that led them to start the Dave Rice Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education and support of health initiatives including developmental disorders such as Autism.

Unfortunately, Dylan’s story is not uncommon. At age two, Mindy noticed his speech was not developing properly. She would spend the next three years searching for answers from various doctors before finally receiving a diagnosis at age five. In retrospect, these were three valuable years that could have been used for treatment and/or therapy. Children diagnosed with Autism can benefit greatly from early detection and the Rice family stresses that parents seek help immediately if they believe something might be wrong. 

For more information on the Dave Rice Foundation or “An Evening with Dave Rice,” visit www.DaveRiceFoundation.org. 

ABOUT THE DAVE RICE FOUNDATION

The Dave Rice Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt organization dedicated to the education and support of health initiatives including developmental disorders such as Autism, and other charitable causes. The Foundation was established in 2012 by UNLV Runnin' Rebels Head Basketball Coach Dave Rice and his wife Mindy.

Article references…

http://vegasseven.com/2012/02/09/rice-family-takes-personal-battle-autism-public-launch-dave-rice-foundation/

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/feb/09/dave-rice-foundation-very-personal-cause-rice-fami/

RISING MOON: WARREN MOON GIVES BACK

Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and nine-time Pro Bowl selection Warren Moon has always been generous with his time and resources. On Tuesday that generosity was once again on display as the former Oilers, Vikings and Seahawks quarterback announced a rededication to his non-profit organization, the Crescent Moon Foundation.

“From its inception during my time in Houston, the Crescent Moon Foundation has always been extremely special to me,” said Moon. “Our nation’s youth deserve every opportunity to succeed and the foundation gives hard working children a chance they might otherwise not have.”

Established in 1989, the Crescent Moon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for educational pursuits that will benefit children most in need who have displayed a commitment to their community, as well as other charitable causes. As part of the Crescent Moon Foundation’s mission, the Rising Moon Scholarship Program awards ten scholarships of up to $5,000 annually to students that demonstrate a commitment to their community, excel in leadership and academics, and who are in need.

“My mother taught me at a young age the importance of giving back,” said Moon, a Los Angeles native and Washington Huskies alum. “Unfortunately, not all kids today have someone guiding them or providing them with the means for success. It is my sincere hope the Crescent Moon Foundation can assist in that regard.”

  ABOUT WARREN MOON

Warren Moon is a nine-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006. A native of Los Angeles, Moon attended the University of Washington where in 1978 he led the Huskies to a Rose Bowl Championship and was subsequently named the game’s MVP. Following a standout collegiate career, he would spend six seasons with the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos, leading them to five Grey Cups in six seasons. From there, Moon would join the NFL’s Houston Oilers where he racked up numerous awards including the NFL’s Man of the Year Award in 1989, the Walter Camp Man of the Year Award in 1993 and the Bart Starr Man of the Year Award in 1994. Following the 2000 season, Moon retired from the NFL after a decorated career.