Empowerment Grant Cycle 2 of 2024

We are proud to announce the recipients of our Empowerment Grant for the second cycle of 2024. Through the Empowerment Fund, we continue to provide resources and inspiration to athletes who have suffered life-changing injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and other mobility-limiting conditions. This grant cycle highlights the incredible resilience and determination of both new and existing High Fives Athletes.

Grant Cycle 2 Summary

  • Total Athletes Supported: 71
  • Total Funding Allocated: $208,564
    • New Athletes: 34 receiving $107,812
    • Existing Athletes: 37 receiving $100,752

Breakdown by Funding Category

  • Adaptive Equipment: 41 grants totaling $135,098
  • Medical Equipment: 14 grants totaling $43,278
  • Healing Network: 13 grants totaling $22,688
  • Living Expenses: 1 grant totaling $4,000
  • Programs: 2 grants totaling $3,500

Spotlight on Sports Categories

  • Surf: 1 athlete receiving $2,300
  • Snow: 9 athletes receiving $30,831
  • Bike: 23 athletes receiving $81,443

Welcoming Our New Athletes

We are thrilled to welcome 34 new athletes into the High Fives family. These individuals have shown remarkable courage, and we are committed to helping them reach new heights:

  • Anna Laura Hackenberg received funding towards a Nissin monoski, facilitating her return to the slopes.
  • Doug Henderson received funding towards a Bowhead Rogue, an essential piece of adaptive equipment for his adventures.
  • Tylea Brown received funding towards medical equipment, specifically Sidestix crutches, which will greatly enhance her mobility.

West Coast Athletes

Al Sanderson

Athlete #782

Meet Al

Peter Chisholm

Athlete #801

Meet Peter

Tylea Brown

Meet Tylea

Tanner Ifrid

Meet Tanner

Ethan Kim

Meet Ethan

Brennan Noeth

Meet Brennan

Anna Laura Hackenberg

Meet Anna

Andy Zirzow

Meet Andy

Steve Campbell

Meet Steve

David Martin

Meet David

Matthew Robinson

Meet Matthew

Chase Beckner

Meet Chase

Zach Sundborg

Meet Zach

Dylan Willick

Meet Dylan

Peter Szenasi

Meet Peter

Scott Brzoska

Meet Scott

Jared Potter

Meet Jared

Conner Morgan

Meet Conner

Douglas Henderson

Meet Douglas

Tyler Schirp

Meet Tyler

Randy Haught

Meet Randy

Yvonne Deir

Meet Yvonne

Pierre Bergman

Meet Pierre

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Central Coast Athletes

Tucker Reeves

Meet Tucker

Sean Robinette

Meet Sean

Brandon Fenton

Meet Brandon

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East Coast Athletes

Ben Brown

Meet Ben

Zachary Sementelli

Meet Zachary

Gregory Snyder

Meet Gregory

Naftali Bornstein

Meet Naftali

Jared Quinteros

Meet Jared

Russell Trosterud

Meet Russell

Chelsea Ogilvie

Meet Chelsea

James Ewing

Meet James

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Celebrating Our Existing Athletes

Our existing athletes have demonstrated incredible perseverance in their recovery journeys, and we are honored to continue supporting them. Here are some of the highlights:

  • Adam Lazaro received funding towards adaptive equipment, enabling him to use a Praschberger sitski.
  • Blair Jones received funding to upgrade his mountain bike with larger wheels and tires.
  • Trevor Kennison received funding towards a Bowhead battery pack and Firefly, enhancing his adaptive equipment arsenal.

Aven Elsberg

Meet Aven

Annie Bi

Meet Annie

Jason Wayne Simpson

Meet Jason Wayne

John Joseph Sams

Meet John Joseph

Edward Newell

Meet Edward

Neven Hart

Meet Neven

Thomas Cornew

Meet Thomas

Jason Coleman

Meet Jason

Blair Jones

Meet Blair

Lukas Strickland

Meet Lukas

Eric Furtado-Rodrigues

Meet Eric
Darryl Fuller Darryl Fuller

Darryl Fuller

Meet Darryl

Sam Barco

Meet Sam

Vincen Liddle

Meet Vincen

Connor May

Meet Connor

Andrew Peters

Meet Andrew

Anthony Giacinto

Meet Anthony

Susan Winston

Meet Susan

Mathew Andrew

Meet Mathew

Rachel Zoeller

Meet Rachel

Eric Leversen

Meet Eric

Dani Engmark

Meet Dani
Trevor Kennison

Trevor Kennison

Meet Trevor

Sean Kent

Meet Sean

Pierre Bergman

Meet Pierre

Adam Volpe

Meet Adam

Josh Dueck

Meet Josh

Megan Wemmer

Meet Megan

Nick Fairall

Meet Nick

Tyler McKenzie

Meet Tyler

Candice Dungan

Meet Candice

Thomas Cloyd

Meet Thomas

Lucas Stacy

Meet Lucas

Adam Lazaro

Meet Adam

Forrest Shepherd

Meet Forrest

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A Path Forward

High Fives Foundation remains committed to preventing life-changing injuries and providing hope and resources when they occur. We are proud to stand alongside these incredible athletes, offering the support they need to continue pursuing their passions and overcoming obstacles.

Empowering athletes… one at a time.