All-Americans partner with Eva's Heroes

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jonathan Fernandez | All-American football players, Soldier mentors and children from Eva’s Heroes pose for a group photo after a few games of bowling Tuesday, Jan. 5 at Main Event. Players in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl are paired with Army Soldier mentors (outstanding Soldiers who have earned distinctions in their commands). The Bowl provides the Army a platform to engage local communities, support the development of America’s future leaders and allows Americans the opportunity to better understand how the Army tackles some of the toughest challenges that face our nation. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jonathan Fernandez)  

SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES

01.06.2016

Story by Sgt. Jonathan Fernandez 

204th Public Affairs Detachment

SAN ANTONIO - All-American high school football players and their Soldier mentors bowled a few rounds with individuals with intellectual special needs Jan. 9 at Main Event in San Antonio during the week leading up to the 2016 All-American Bowl.

Players in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl are paired with Soldier mentors (outstanding Soldiers who have earned distinctions in their commands). Player-Soldier mentor pairs interact throughout Bowl Week in a variety of activities. As part of a community relations event, some of the players were able to attend a bowling night with kids from the nonprofit organization Eva’s Heroes.

“Eva’s Heroes is an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual special needs by providing an inclusive setting built on four tenets: Interact, grow, learn and love,” said Elizabeth Cervantes, the executive assistant of the organization.

Cervantes, a Los Angeles native, has been with the organization for three years. Everyone that is a part of this partnership is impacted in some way, she said.

“We have partnered with the All-American Bowl for three years now,” said Cervantes. “It is an amazing opportunity. Our kids look forward to it every year to start off the new year.”

Each year, the U.S. Army All-American Bowl selects 90 of the nation’s top high school football stars, along with 125 top high school marching band musicians and Color Guard members.

The players who had the opportunity to interact and have fun with the kids enjoyed the opportunity to help out the organization.

“We are just giving a little back to the community,” said Landon Young, an offensive tackle with the All-American West Team and native of Lexington, Kentucky. “It’s such a joy. I love being able to do something like this.”

There is often a preconceived notion that all football players are just big guys who only care about football, said Young.

“It’s always good to come out and show people that we care about more than just football,” he said. “We’re [integrating] the Soldiers, the players and the kids. That’s why we’re here.”

• Date Taken: 01.06.2016
• Date Posted: 01.06.2016 19:29
• Story ID: 185727
• Location: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US
• Hometown: LEXINGTON, KY, US
• Hometown: LOS ANGELES, CA, US