The coaches and judges of Region 5 have been collecting
donations to help a family in need of financial assistance due to a serious
injury to one of the members of their family. This is not a request from the family, rather an opportunity as
coaches, judges, parents, and the entire powerlifting communities in the state
of Texas to help them with the massive medical and travel expenses they are
incurring as their son recovers from his injuries. We started “passing the hat” at the Calallen meet
and continued at Banquete, Gregory Portland, and Tuloso-Midway meets. Through
these four invitational meets as well as at the Girls and Boys Regional meets,
we hope to raise enough funds to make a significant donation to this young
man’s medical fund.
In September of 2007, Kelby Eddleman, a former
student/athlete at Gregory Portland High School, suffered massive head injuries
as the result of a hit and run incident which has left him hospitalized ever
since the accident. He was in a coma for several weeks fighting to survive when
at times it was uncertain if he would or not. Through faith, countless prayer
lines, the love and support of his family and friends, and a strong desire to
live and return to his former self, Kelby has continued to battle through his
injuries and is making great progress.
After spending the better part of three months at Spohn
Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi, he was moved to Memorial Herrman/TIRR
Hospital in Houston, which specializes in brain injuries.
Kelby was a member of the Gregory Portland football and
powerlifting teams and each year since his graduation from high school he has
been a regular on the judge’s circuit throughout South Texas and Region 5.
Kelby was a state qualifier in powerlifting and an excellent powerlifting judge
in the short time that he has been judging powerlifting meets.
The Eddleman family consists of Kelby’s parents Kyde and
Sonja Eddleman and his younger sister Kelsey, also a former state powerlifting
qualifier. His brother Kaleb is a current member of the Gregory Portland
football and powerlifting teams. Kyde is an assistant principal in the GP
school systems and Sonja is a nurse. Both are always available to assist the
sport of powerlifting and the students involved every opportunity they get.
They are a wonderful family and could really use our help and support as Kelby
continues to receive the medical care he needs.
At the meets listed above, we will be taking donations
towards the Kelby Eddleman medical fund. All donations will go into the Wells
Fargo bank account in Portland in his name. We would appreciate any and all
help that you can provide.
Another part of our attempt to help the Eddleman family will
involve a state-wide raffle. After discussions with Pete Alaniz, owner and
operator of Titan Support Systems, he has graciously offered to donate a first
place prize consisting of a full team (eleven) competition belts to the high
school whose name is drawn at the Girls State Meet in Killeen. The belts will
be complete with school colors and school logos on the back of each belt. The
belts are valued at $80.00 each for a total value of $880.00. For second place,
Titan has donated a full team (eleven) workout belts. Titan has also donated a third place prize consisting of eleven
sets of knee wraps. For each donation
of $10.00 the school of your choice will have their name put into a drawing and
the school name drawn will win the grand prize belts. For example, one ten
dollar donation will get your school name into the drawing one time. A donation
of $40.00 would get your school name in four times.
If you are interested in getting your school name into the
drawing, a minimum donation of $10.00 is required. Just write the name of the
school you wish to support at the bottom of this page and place it in the bag
along with the donation attached. If you are donating less than $10.00, just
place the donation in the bag. If you
are paying by check, make it out to the Kelby Eddleman Medical Fund. If you would like to make a donation
but can’t be here at the conclusion of the meet you can mail it along with the
name of your school of choice to the following address:
Wells Fargo
Attention:
Cynthia Trevino Martinez
1031 US
Highway 181 North
Portland,
Tx 78374 Phone # (361)
866-6902
Thank you so much for your support,
Asa Chambless Richard
Ouellette George
Luna
Head Powerlifting Coach Head
Powerlifting Coach Had Powerlifting Coach
Calallen High School Gregory
Portland High School Bshop High School