"Just three years ago, I suffered a devastating spinal cord injury while training in Mammoth Mountain, CA, rendering my lower body paralyzed immediately after the accident. After having high hopes of becoming a world class professional skier, I then had to relearn everything in my life from the ground up. A truly life-altering experience, I eventually began making great progress. With the help of strong personalities, positivity, and high fives all around me, I stepped into skis and loaded the lift at Sugar Bowl for the first time in March of 2008. The encouragement and positivity I received during my recovery inspired me to start a foundation to help others with similar experiences.
In February of 2009 the High Fives Nonprofit Foundation, (EIN 26-4275773) was created to raise money and awareness for athletes who have suffered a life-altering injury while pursuing their dream in the winter action sports community. Through alliances with our wealth of local athletes, key industry members, and other influential non-profit organizations, High Fives aims to continue to drive winter action sports and its progression through innovative events and projects designed by, and driven by athletes, all the while raising funds for those that are less fortunate along their path to success. High Fives Non-Profit Foundation is a celebration of the lifestyle we all strive to achieve.
We have many events planned throughout the year, which will provide ample opportunity for the raising of funds for the foundation (check out the Events page). Our goal is to establish multiple annually held events. For 2010 we will have: the 2nd Annual High Fives Trains freestytle ski competition, the 2nd Annual 3000 Words photography auction and private dinner, the 2nd Annual High Fives Bocce Tournament, the East Coast High Fives 540 Contest, as well as our largest fundraiser of the year, the 6th Annual Squaw Valley Prom. Throughout the year we will also be hosting and attending smaller events to promote and raise awareness about the High Fives Foundation. We also sell High Fives Foundation t-shirts and memorabilia at events and through our website. In addition, we have contacted Guinness in hopes of breaking the World Record for Most High Fives by an Individual in 24 Hours on February 27th, 2010.
Our goal for this coming year, 2010, is to offer our first scholarship of at least $2,000 to a local Lake Tahoe athlete who has had their own life drastically altered by an injury while he or she was pursuing their own goals in the winter sports world. In the future we plan on offering larger scholarships that will cover more of the inevitable costs of recovery from these injuries. Eventually we would like to see the major companies that support the ski and snowboard industry providing larger donations to build and develop our Athlete Endowment Fund to help offset the costs of injuries to the athletes that use their products. Further down the road, we see the High Fives Foundation being a "safety net" to any athlete who may find themselves in need to cover the high costs of medical care in this country."
Roy Tuscany,
President & Co-Founder,
High Fives NonProfit Foundation
High Fives has awarded the first scholarships to Steve Wallace, Tamara Guttman and Greg Dibiaso. High Fives is also accepting additional applicants for 2010 scholarships.
The High Fives Board of Directors are
an incredibly talented and diverse group
of people who share a love of life and the outdoors. The board is responsible for choosing scholarship recipients and oversees the Officers.
MEET THE BOARD >>
The High Fives Officers are an incredibly talented and diverse group of people who share a love of life and the outdoors. The Officers are responsible for the daily operation of the foundation.
MEET THE OFFICERS >>
The High Fives Foundation Advisory
Board is comprised of individuals who bring specialized knowledge and experience to the foundation, to assist with the operation and and function of the organization.
MEET THE ADVISORY BOARD >>
