Empowerment Grant Cycle 3 of 2024

We are proud to announce the recipients of our Empowerment Grant for the third 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 3 Summary

  • Total Athletes Supported: 74
  • Total Funding Allocated: $260,000
    • New Athletes: 50 receiving $180,000
    • Existing Athletes: 24 receiving $79,000

Breakdown by Funding Category

  • Adaptive Equipment: 64 grants totaling $232,000
  • Medical Equipment: 9 grants totaling $26,000
  • Healing Network: 5 grants totaling $25,0000

Spotlight on Sports Categories

  • Surf: 4 athletes receiving adaptive surf boards
  • Snow: 13 athletes receiving adaptive ski/board equipment
  • Bike: 36 athletes receiving adaptive bike equipment

Welcoming Our New Athletes

We are thrilled to welcome 50 new athletes into the High Fives family. These individuals have shown remarkable courage, and we are committed to helping them reach new heights:

  • Daniel Pitaluga received a GRIT Freedom Chair to enhance his mobility and outdoor exploration.
  • Jordan Valentine was provided with a Bowhead RX adaptive bike, enabling greater independence on trails.
  • Allie Bianchi received a Dynamique bi-ski sit-ski, allowing her to return to the slopes.

West Coast Athletes

Zach Sherman

Athlete #866

Meet Zach

Lorinda Bye

Athlete #853

Meet Lorinda

Nathan LaBrosse

Athlete #855

Meet Nathan

Landon Skretting

Athlete #852

Meet Landon

Somchai Lurak

Athlete #862

Meet Somchai

Reed Christy

Athlete #856

Meet Reed

Sean Butterfield

Athlete #859

Meet Sean

Kristen O’Neill

Athlete #850

Meet Kristen

Saul Alvarez

Athlete #858

Meet Saul

Katie Verderber

Athlete #847

Meet Katie

Julie Lorenzen

Athlete #845

Meet Julie

Brad Schanke

Athlete #823

Meet Brad

Donald Suozzo

Athlete #832

Meet Donald

Jordan Valentine

Athlete #841

Meet Jordan

Courtney Custer

Athlete #827

Meet Courtney

Kelsey Mulcahy

Athlete #848

Meet Kelsey

Jimi Brenner

Athlete #840

Meet Jimi

Josh Pack

Athlete #842

Meet Josh

Kristee Shepherd

Athlete #849

Meet Kristee

Dennis Connors

Athlete #830

Meet Dennis

Spencer Brown

Athlete #863

Meet Spencer

Brad Coleman

Athlete #822

Meet Brad

Shannon Kerrick

Athlete #861

Meet Shannon

Jayden Glentworth

Athlete #839

Meet Jayden

Blake Harper

Athlete #819

Meet Blake

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Central Coast Athletes

Erik Mossberg

Athlete #834

Meet Erik

Blake Richard

Athlete #820

Meet Blake

Jared English

Athlete #837

Meet Jared

Aidan Brand

Athlete #816

Meet Aidan

Ashley Bristol

Athlete #818

Meet Ashley

Lucas Sigglin

Athlete #854

Meet Lucas

Jasmine Sanchez

Athlete #838

Meet Jasmine

John Ekdom

Athlete #777

Meet John

Rosie Coleman

Athlete #857

Meet Rosie

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East Coast Athletes

Julio Cecenas

Athlete #846

Meet Julio

Chris Collin

Athlete #825

Meet Chris

Gregory Antoine

Athlete #835

Meet Gregory

Derek Minor

Athlete #831

Meet Derek

Allie Bianchi

Athlete #817

Meet Allie

Brad Baker

Athlete #821

Meet Brad

Ted Sigmon

Athlete #865

Meet Ted

Briana Girard

Athlete #824

Meet Briana

Daniel Flores

Athlete #828

Meet Daniel

Josh Verbal

Athlete #843

Meet Josh

Daniel Pitaluga

Athlete #829

Meet Daniel

Kurtis Usher

Athlete #851

Meet Kurtis

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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:

  • Katie Combalzuier received funding towards adaptive equipment for a Bowhead RX 
  • Austin Hunt received funding towards adaptive equipment for a Reactive Adaptation Stinger recumbent bike 
  • Andrea Wojcik received funding towards adaptive equipment for a Tessier Scarver sit-ski

Cody George

Athlete #776

Meet Cody

Andrea Wojcik

Athlete #430

Meet Andrea

Austin Hunt

Athlete #190

Meet Austin

Katie Combaluzier

Athlete #293

Meet Katie

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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.