Toa's journey of a thousand miles
Donation protected
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”…..please help Toa take that step.
August 22, 2014, it was time- Friday Night Lights! Toa was playing his first game of his senior season (actually a pre-season game) in Tallahassee at 7:00 PM; excitement was an understatement. The team had been working all summer to prepare. Toa was heading into his senior year as a committed NCAA-Division 1 athlete and scheduled to attend University of Alabama- Birmingham in the fall on a full football scholarship. Needless to say, life was pretty sweet!
At 7:06 PM, things took a terrible turn; Toa went down on the 6th play of the game to never take the field again. Our worst fear realized; a torn ACL- we were beyond devastated. What I dreaded more than the injury was the phone call I needed to make to the coaching staff at UAB to let them know what was going on. Without hesitation, they agreed to honor his scholarship; I can’t tell you the relief we had.
That relief was short lived because at the end of the football season we learned that the UAB football program was shutting down- and taking Toa’s hopes and dreams with it. The past 7 ½ months have been very trying. Schools that had a previous interest in Toa aren’t willing to take a chance on him without seeing him play football again.
Taking into consideration eligibility and opportunity, it is apparent that our only solution is to send Toa to a Post Graduate program at a prep school. I am confident the one we have selected and that he has been accepted to, will give him the absolute best chance of being recruited by a Division 1 college(s) again to earn a fulll scholarship and get that college education he so deserves. However, the price of the school is out of my reach; even with some assistance to attend. The school is called East Coast Prep. It is owned and operated by a very well respected Coach named Dick Bell. He has played in the NFL, been a sports agent and a recruiter and is very well connected. The school is located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
As a mom, it has been extremely difficult watching him go through all he has gone through this year. Toa has handled this stumble in the road with grace; never letting anyone know how truly discouraged he was. I know that so many of you have kept up with him since he first verbally committed to UAB in July 2014; I am sure your hearts break, as does mine, watching the events that have unfolded since.
I am putting my pride aside, trusting in God and asking you for help. I know our goal is high, but when the sky is the limit you have to aim high! Please remember a contribution of ANY amount would help and be greatly appreciated. I am confident that Toa has what it takes to achieve great success in football and in life……he just needs a chance to make it happen.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being on this journey with us and taking the time to read our story.
Philippians 4:6- Dont worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done- NLT
**Donations can also be made directly to an account at FirstAtlantic Bank- contact me for the details if you prefer that method, Thank you.
August 22, 2014, it was time- Friday Night Lights! Toa was playing his first game of his senior season (actually a pre-season game) in Tallahassee at 7:00 PM; excitement was an understatement. The team had been working all summer to prepare. Toa was heading into his senior year as a committed NCAA-Division 1 athlete and scheduled to attend University of Alabama- Birmingham in the fall on a full football scholarship. Needless to say, life was pretty sweet!
At 7:06 PM, things took a terrible turn; Toa went down on the 6th play of the game to never take the field again. Our worst fear realized; a torn ACL- we were beyond devastated. What I dreaded more than the injury was the phone call I needed to make to the coaching staff at UAB to let them know what was going on. Without hesitation, they agreed to honor his scholarship; I can’t tell you the relief we had.
That relief was short lived because at the end of the football season we learned that the UAB football program was shutting down- and taking Toa’s hopes and dreams with it. The past 7 ½ months have been very trying. Schools that had a previous interest in Toa aren’t willing to take a chance on him without seeing him play football again.
Taking into consideration eligibility and opportunity, it is apparent that our only solution is to send Toa to a Post Graduate program at a prep school. I am confident the one we have selected and that he has been accepted to, will give him the absolute best chance of being recruited by a Division 1 college(s) again to earn a fulll scholarship and get that college education he so deserves. However, the price of the school is out of my reach; even with some assistance to attend. The school is called East Coast Prep. It is owned and operated by a very well respected Coach named Dick Bell. He has played in the NFL, been a sports agent and a recruiter and is very well connected. The school is located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
As a mom, it has been extremely difficult watching him go through all he has gone through this year. Toa has handled this stumble in the road with grace; never letting anyone know how truly discouraged he was. I know that so many of you have kept up with him since he first verbally committed to UAB in July 2014; I am sure your hearts break, as does mine, watching the events that have unfolded since.
I am putting my pride aside, trusting in God and asking you for help. I know our goal is high, but when the sky is the limit you have to aim high! Please remember a contribution of ANY amount would help and be greatly appreciated. I am confident that Toa has what it takes to achieve great success in football and in life……he just needs a chance to make it happen.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being on this journey with us and taking the time to read our story.
Philippians 4:6- Dont worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done- NLT
**Donations can also be made directly to an account at FirstAtlantic Bank- contact me for the details if you prefer that method, Thank you.
Organizer
Gina Toney Lavatai
Organizer
Fruit Cove, FL