BERKELEY RESIDENT RECEIVES CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM TAHOE-BASED HIGH FIVES FOUNDATION TO ACHIEVE GOALS IN WINTER SPORTS COMMUNITY
The High Fives Foundation is awarding Tony Schmiesing a board-approved Empowerment Grant for $675 to be used toward a ski season pass and a bi-ski hauler in support of his winter sports dreams.
Schmiesing has been involved with the High Fives Foundation since 2010, and he has had a series of goals within the winter sports community. These goals come in the wake of Schmiesing’s C4/5 spinal cord injury suffered in a diving accident in Southern California. His surf, skate and ski DNA have helped push Schmiesing past many obstacles, and kept him goal oriented.
“High Fives has helped me move closer to my goal of endless stoke, with dizzying, love and continued support,” said Schmiesing. “I am honored to be a part of the Family.”
“It has been a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with Tony,” said Roy Tuscany, High Fives Foundation Executive Director. “Tony and other High Fives Athletes have proven to themselves that the time and effort they put in pays off in their road to recovery.”
Since being introduced to the High Fives Foundation in 2010, Tony has gained a true love for skiing in an adaptive fashion. The board-approved Empowerment Grant for $675 will be used toward a Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows season pass and a Hands on Concepts Bi-Hauler to help him transport his heavy adaptive ski.
The High Fives Foundation supports injured mountain action sports athletes through grant funding to be used towards reaching their recovery goals. Since the Foundation’s January 2009 inception, the Empowerment program service has assisted 147 athletes from 27 states in nine respective funding categories which include: living expenses, insurance, travel, health, healing network, adaptive equipment, winter equipment, programs and “stoke” (positive energy, outlook and attitude).
In Quarter 1 of 2017 the High Fives Foundation disbursed $119,294.50 in board-approved grants to 20 athletes in 6 states.
