Shaun White surprised adaptive snowboarder Zach Sherman with a Challenged Athletes Foundation grant

The Challenged Athletes Foundation has distributed 3,256 grants so far this year, totaling $6.2 million, to athletes across 83 different sports. The grants went to people across all 50 states and 29 countries and will be used for travel, training, coaching, and adaptive equipment such as running prosthetics, handcycles, and sport wheelchairs.

“We believe sports is a pathway to more in life and that’s why we are committed to providing access to equipment, travel and competition expenses for athletes of all abilities across a wide variety of sports and activities,” said Kristine Entwistle, the foundation’s chief executive director. “We were proud to support nearly 700 first-time applicants, increase the number of grants to youth under 18, and provide access to some of the most innovative sports equipment available.”

Several of the recipients also got a surprise presentation by professional and elite athletes, including snowboarder Shaun White, ex-NFL quarterback Drew Brees, NFL hall-of-famer Andre Reed, Ironman champ Cam Wurf, ultra-endurance athlete David Goggins, and Team USA’s Wheelchair Basketball co-captain Steve Serio.

The American Legion Alvin Myo Dunn Post 365 is hosting its annual Daryl Malone Memorial Poker Run to benefit Wounded Warrior Homes

The American Legion Alvin Myo Dunn Post 365 is gearing up for its eighth annual Daryl Malone Memorial Poker Run motorcycle ride on Saturday to raise money for Wounded Warrior Homes. This year’s goal is to bring in $12,000 and call attention to veteran causes. Wounded Warrior Homes provides transitional housing and support services to veterans with traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder. Organizers say non-riders are welcome to attend the event at the American Legion post in Vista and enjoy food, live music, and raffles.

Music therapy nonprofit Resounding Joy will present a benefit concert on Saturday to raise money for the Ariana Miller Healing Notes Music Therapy program at Rady Children’s Hospital. The 11th annual Heart of a Child concert at Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center will feature performances from talented musicians ages 11 to 19, some who have performed at Carnegie Hall, in major talent competitions, or on television. The program is named after young musician Ariana Miller, who faced congenital heart disease and underwent six open-heart surgeries before passing away at the age of 13. Her father and the concert’s cofounder, Jeffrey Miller, said music therapy “brought a smile to her face and helped her forget about being sick, if only for an hour.” Proceeds from the concert will be used to provide no-cost music therapy for hospitalized and homebound kids.

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“Before the pandemic, many San Diego families were already struggling to meet reading requirements due to lack of time and access to resources. We know the difficulties our community is facing when it comes to reading at home,” said Nancy Sasaki, president and CEO, United Way of San Diego County. “Our virtual book drive will help alleviate the battle parents and students are experiencing by making books available in the home.”

Visit uwsd.org/read-across-america to purchase a book or make a financial donation.

Crews prepare to set Wounded Warrior Homes’ newest transitional residence

Construction is underway on Wounded Warrior Homes’ fourth transitional residence for veterans with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury. Navy and civilian volunteers provided the labor. The home was donated by Warrior Village Project in conjunction with San Marcos High School.

Wounded Warrior Homes was established to provide veterans experiencing PTSD and TBI a safe environment and support services to help transition back into civilian life. Once finished, the structure on the Wounded Warrior Homes’ Vista property will allow the nonprofit to house a 14th resident.

USO San Diego celebrated the nationwide organization’s 80th anniversary with a cake drop at local installations. Since it was founded, the USO has supported members of the military and their families with care packages, entertainment, and other morale-boosting programs. Other chapters in its nine-state West region marked the milestone anniversary with tasty food, socially distanced events, and other activities.

“Our local USOs throughout the West are proud to celebrate the USO’s legacy of serving America’s Armed Forces,” said USO West President Bob Kurkjian. “We believe a strong America is a force for good in the world, and our strength as a nation rests on keeping service members connected to the things they joined the Armed Forces to defend—family, home, and country.”

Sou-Yeon Pak, Impact Manager at United Way of San Diego County, reads to a group of captivated kids

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