The Austin Shepherd Foundation
Contact us: AustinShepherdFoundation@gmail.com
Monthly Visits and Beads of Courage
UA football players make monthly trips to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham to visit with patients and their families. We hand out goodie bags that are provided by our foundation, sign autographs, take pictures, and hand out "ASF- Love Saves Lives" beads to the patients and their families. We are proud to say we have funded the "Beads of Courage" program in the pulmonary, oncology, solid organ, burn, and cardiac units of Children's of Alabama.
What do we do to help?
The Austin Shepherd Foundation takes special care to make each child feel like the most important person in the world. We understand the stress of hospitalization and the ups and downs patients and families experience on a daily basis. We realize that hope, love, faith, and encouragement can bring joy and strength to any situation.
Football Games
Tickets for Alabama Football games at Bryant-Denny Stadium are randomly given out each game to a child and their family members. They will also gain an opportunity to meet the players. It is sure to be an experience they will never forget.
Donations
The Austin Shepherd Foundation accepts monetary and gift donations. All monetary donations will be given to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham. We are a proud sponsor of "Beads of Courage". We ask that any gift donation be appropriate for males and females of all ages. These gifts will be put into gift bags for the hospital's patients and passed out during visits.
To make a donation, CLICK HERE or mail cash or a check made out to "Austin Shepherd Foundation" to 14 Oakwood Court, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
Carry-A-Bead Program through Beads of Courage
Beads of Courage is an arts-in-medicine encouragement program for children battling chronic illnesses. Children receive hand made glass beads color coded for each milestone in their treatment journey. Carry-A-Bead gives children and athletes a special bond. During each home game, UA football players wear two matching beads. One bead is theirs to keep, while the mate is given to a child at Children's of Alabama undergoing treatment. The child is also given a story card explaining when and where the bead was worn, and an experience the athlete had while wearing it. Lastly, the child receives a note of encouragement. This note serves to show the child that they are not in their fight alone. Learn more about Beads of Courage HERE.
