SLANT 45 Goes International

When SLANT 45 launched last February, our goal was to give children in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties the opportunity to participate in this historic service-learning program.  A little more than 100 days out from Super Bowl XLV, we not only have participants representing more than eight North Texas counties, we also have out-of-state participants and even a participant in Ontario, Canada (according to Google maps, that's 1,432 miles from Dallas)!

Garrett's SLANT 45 project was GO GARRETT GO, a fundraising initiative where people were asked to pledge a dollar amount for every touchdown Garrett either threw to someone or scored himself during the spring 2010 Ontario Minor Football League season. Garrett scored 15 touchdowns himself and passed for one more for a total of 16 touchdowns.  People pledged $1,260 per touchdown, which multiplied by 16 touchdowns equals...$20,352, which was donated to Children's Miracle Network!

After being attacked two years ago by a virus that caused seizures, Garrett was unable to play football.  When he was well enough to play, he wanted to do something to help sick children not as fortunate as himself.

His father, Gerard, said, "Garrett's brush with mortality at such an early age has made him keenly aware of how lucky he is to be able to play any sport, let alone one he loves. He also knows that many kids are not so lucky - something he saw first hand while at SickKids. His experience, is something he thinks about every day. He knows that things can happen in life and that you could wake up one day and not be able to do something you love to do anymore.

That's why he wants to 'go' for the kids who 'can't', to let them know there is someone who understands what they are going through and is on their team. That's why he thought of GO GARRETT GO. He wants to raise money to help kids who can't play because of sickness or poverty, in Canada and around the world."

We are proud of Garrett and the BIG difference he made in his community.