High school football players gain new perspective helping veterans

The Calallen Wildcats football team may be preparing for the biggest game of the year on Friday, but some players are getting a little taste of the charitable work they do.

The Hero Heaters were launched only a week ago when David Salinas Jr. of the United Veterans Burial Association learned from a veteran that his heater was broken.

So he came up with the idea of ​​finding and donating heaters to his son and his son’s friend, who both play for the Wildcats football team.

“It helps me know that I’m invested in the community, whether it’s not necessarily doing something on the field for the football team, but for something bigger than myself outside of the football,” said David Salinas III, the team’s junior quarterback and outside linebacker. the team.

“Just to help the community when you can.” I’m just trying to help the veterans who do so much for us, so why not do a little for them during the holidays? » said Skyler Rubio, a senior receiver and safety.

“Youth is our future. So we have to kind of start guiding them in the right direction and I believe we have done that and veterans play an important role in life,” Salinas Jr. said.

So far, 15 heaters have been donated to a veteran in need.

“It’s something that came at the right time for them,” said Samuel Juarez, secretary and Chaplin of the United Veterans Burial Association. “They said they really appreciated someone taking time out of their day just to make sure they were okay. OKAY.”

The hope is that the impact of charitable work on young men will spread and more veterans can be helped.

In fact, a freshman football player, Drayson Gamez, donated space heaters Thursday night.

“It teaches them that there is something other than football,” said Salinas Jr. “There are people who need help, who might need it. Most kids don’t know what’s out there .”

Salinas said it’s impressive to see how much the football players have stepped up. He said it started with a few seniors, then a junior got involved and then it continued down to the freshmen.

“I hope it means a lot to them,” Rubio said. “Helping them helps me feel good, so. Anything to help them through the holidays and have a better year.

Salinas Jr. said there would be no end date for the fundraiser. They will leave as long as it is cold and people are in need. Once the weather warms up, they will start finding fans again for veterans in need during the warm season.

The Wildcats face Boerne in San Antonio Friday night in the regional final.

If you’re a veteran in need of a heater or want to get involved, Salinas Jr. said you should call his office and mention Hero Heaters. Its office number is 361-668-5715.

For the latest local news updates, click here or download the KRIS 6 News app.