Gridiron Heroes Spinal Cord Injury Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in nearby Schertz, is launching Road Trip for Heroes. Participants in the 2,500-mile trek across Texas will help raise funds for Gridiron Heroes.
Eddie and Chris Canales, who co-founded the organization, will lead the road trip to five Texas high school football games in five cities — San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Houston and El Paso. The father-and-son team hope to raise a minimum of $100,000 and purchase at least one new wheelchair-accessible van for a Texas high school athlete who has been paralyzed playing football.
“The families we support are located all over Texas, so we are looking forward to spreading the word about Gridiron Heroes across the state,” says Eddie Canales.
Since its inception, Gridiron Heroes has donated nine wheelchair-accessible vans and provided direct support of more than $500,000 to more than 50 high school football players and their families.
“Gridiron Heroes serves such an important role for families of injured high school players,” says University of Texas head football coach Mack Brown, a member of the nonprofit’s steering committee. “The families appreciate any support from the athletics communities, where so many youngsters participate.”
SMU head football coach June Jones, whose foundation is a sponsor of Road Trip for Heroes, says, “Those of us who love the game of football have an obligation to do all we can for those who experience life-changing injuries.”
Visit their website: http://www.gridironheroes.org/
W. Scott Bailey
Reporter/Project Coordinator
San Antonio Business Journal
