Philadelphia, PA (November 2009) Fans Helping Fans, a grassroots charity started and run by volunteers who are passionate fans of the Philadelphia Eagles, recently gave a helping hand to Kevin M., a local Philadelphia Eagles fan who is facing a difficult challenge in seeking to recover from a spinal injury he suffered in July 2009.

Following Kevin M.’s injury, he lost use of his lower legs and other body functions.  After hard rehabilitation work in the hospital, Kevin M. was ready to return home to New Jersey, but he needed a rolling chair that could be used in the bathroom and shower so that he could care for himself and regain some independence.  Family and friends had already helped to remodel Kevin’s home so it would be more maneuverable in a wheelchair, but the wheelchair itself cost over $2,100.00, a sum Kevin could not afford given a lack of insurance and reliable income.

With the generous help of its contributors, Fans Helping Fans stepped up and purchased the shower chair for Kevin M.  It was delivered in November to Kevin’s surprise and relief.

As Jeff Rumble, Chair of Fans Helping Fans’ Grant Distribution Committee remarked, “In spite of all the grief we Eagles fans sometimes give each other, I can say with real sincerity that Eagles fans are the best and finest fans on the planet. You make me proud to be an Eagles Fan!”
Fans Helping Fans is grateful to the many Eagles fans who support our work and make grants like the one for Kevin M. possible.

Philadelphia, PA (October 2009) Fans Helping Fans, a grassroots charity started and run by volunteers who are passionate fans of the Philadelphia Eagles, recently gave a helping hand to Thomas S., a local Philadelphia Eagles fan who faced a cold winter without FHF’s help.

Thomas S. is a Philadelphia man diagnosed with HIV who survived both cancer and a stroke and who needed a little help to make sure he has heat this winter.  As he explained, after a long work history in hotel management, Thomas fell behind in his bills to the Philadelphia Gas Works when he became ill and could not work.  Although he can keep up with his current PGW charges, Thomas asked for FHF’s help in clearing the past-due balance so that his gas service would not be shut off this winter.

As part of the FHF grant application, all applicants must describe their history and experience as an Eagles fan.  Thomas described his as watching every game on TV and standing and yelling at the TV during plays.  He noted that “Everyone knows to leave Tom alone during Eagles time.”

Fans Helping Fans came through for Thomas with a grant of nearly $800.00 to pay his PGW balance.  FHF Board Member Steve Reynolds presented the grant to Thomas and assisted in ensuring that PGW cleared the balance to zero.

All FHF supporters and Eagles fans can be proud to hear the response from Thomas when he learned his PGW balance had been paid: “Thank you so very much! My account balance is now at zero. The comfort I’m feeling right now is overwhelming!”

Fans Helping Fans is grateful to the many Eagles fans who support our work and make grants like the one for Thomas S. possible.

2008 proved to be another successful year in terms of generosity of Philadelphia Eagles fans.  In our 2008-2009 season of grant making, Fans Helping Fans has approximately $3,000 available for grants.  Grants are typically $500 - $1,500 and are meant to address an immediate and urgent financial need. If you are in need of some financial assistance, or know of someone who is, download an application here and follow the instruction.

Fans Helping Fans would also like to thank the many kind and generous donors who, in these times of financial hardships and economic uncertainty, made sacrifices to come to the aid of their fellow fan.  This just shows the true spirit and passion Philadelphia Eagles fans have not only for their team, but also for one another.