The Red and Black

Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: News

Media Credit: NICK PASSARELLO Co-founder and co-executive director Garrett Gravesen addresses the crowd as members of HEROs reveal the final fundraising total for this year during the closing ceremony of Saturday's HERO Olympics at the Clarke Central High School football field. [Click to enlarge]

Carnival rides, games such as Red Rover, Red Rover and Miss Georgia marked the fourth annual UGA HEROs Olympics.

More than 120 children and adolescents participated in the games on World AIDS Day Saturday.

The day wasn't just about games - UGA HEROs announced they raised $302,144.28.

"One big goal on World AIDS Day with HERO Olympics (was that) we wanted UGA HEROs to be the largest philanthropy with members, but help raise $250,000 to truly show the (result) of this cause with UGA students and these kids," said Garrett Gravesen, co-founder and co-executive director of Hearts Everywhere Reaching Out for Children.

"(The money) was four times what we had done last year," said Kevin Scott, executive director for UGA HERO.

Scott said staff did not mention AIDS so the children could forget about family issues and taking 20 pills daily.

One of the participants, Christina Butler, said the games were a lot of fun and HERO was supportive of her family. In October, HERO gave the family necessities such as baby wipes and Pampers, Butler said.

"Garrett and Kevin are really a blessing from God," Butler said. "And Garrett is like a big brother."

Miss Georgia Amanda Kozak volunteered and said the old-school field day events were great.

"There are so many good causes, but she chose HERO as her charity of choice and this day to support her first charity publicly," Gravesen said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools