After hearing Forrest Ford’s story, senior Canyon Reeves felt the need to take action.
Ford was a graduate of the high school and wanted a way to come back and volunteer at the school. After not having contact with the school, he reached out to baseball coach Brandon Davis and asked about volunteering. Now, Ford has been helping the team for about 3 months. He helps the baseball team with various tasks, such as filling the coolers, mowing grass, taking out trash and other maintenance tasks.
“This is his way to get back, like a partnership with the team,” Davis said.
Ford was inspired to start volunteering because of how much Davis had loved and cared for him and how much the team seemed to do for him prior to volunteering.
“I want to be a role model and hopefully inspire others with my disability that I have. I just want to show others that no matter what you may have going on, you can still do something to be productive and show others in society that it is not impossible,” Ford said.
Ford first met Reeves on Aug. 10th and they quickly became friends. Reeves would take him to go eat everyday after practice, take him to get groceries, and go over to his house to watch football with him.
When Reeves found out Ford walked for two hours every day to come volunteer, he knew he needed to help out. Ford asked him to start looking for a four-wheeler, but instead of looking for the four-wheeler, Reeves started a GoFundMe to help raise money for Ford. The GoFundMe was quickly successful, raising $3,800 in just 24 hours. In under 36 hours the GoFundMe ended and raised a total of $4,699. With so much money donated, Reeve’s mom was able to go purchase Ford a golf cart.
“We raised all of the money basically in 28 hours,” Reeves said.
After purchasing the golf cart, the baseball team decided to surprise him one afternoon at practice. They called Ford to home plate as Reeves drove it onto the field. It was an emotional and exciting moment for Ford when he found out that it belonged to him.
“ I was speechless,” Ford said.
With the rest of the money leftover, Reeves drove Ford to Mobile where they got him clothes, personal hygiene products and took him to eat at Outback Steakhouse.
“ It was good. I was not expecting all of that,” Ford said.
Since receiving the golf cart, Ford has been able to drive it to the school and around the community, not having to worry about walking everyday.
Ford would like to send a special thanks to coaches Tim Davis, Brandon Davis, and the baseball team for all that they have done for him.
