My girl is a teacher in Alvin and is the one who wrote below and witnessed the accident. She personally knows the coach and his wife from when she was in school. He is a father of four. Now before people lunge at him and ask if he was wearing his helmet, no he wasn't. Retarded yes, but he still has a family that needs some assistance. We all know how crappy a teacher's salary is compared to the salaries of some of us. If you can help, please do. If not, please pass this along to those that might. We went up to Memorial Hermann last night and visited with Mrs. Garza.

__________________________________________________ _____________

For those of you who don't know, Coach Ray Garza was in a major motorcycle accident on Wednesday evening. An F350 dulley pulled out in front of him at 1462 and Rowan Burton while riding his motorcycle and he had no way of avoiding the collision. I happened to be in the car right next to him and unfortunately had to experience it all. It was quite a tramatic experience. Quite honestly, I'm not real sure how he is still alive. His family is in great need of help from the community. I am sending this to inform you of ways that you can help. Please keep Ray and his family in your prayers. Thanks in advance for anything you can do.

Thanks again,
Amber

>>> Shirley Brothers 4/18/2008 9:17 AM >>>
Update - 8:30 - 4/18
Ray had a reasonably good night last night. He is stable but remains in guarded condition. His improving condition has allowed doctors to move forward with some of the required surgeries that will begin today. Keep the prayers and thoughts coming. There are a few needs coming up for the family and we have established an account for any donations. If you wish to help out the family with expenses Marie Alvarado has sent an email out (below) with details. Please coordinate any fund raising or assistance efforts through the appropriate individual listed below. We are hoping to focus the efforts in ways to best help the family and to give others the information to direct their efforts.



Thank you ALL for your thoughts, prayers and concerns regarding Ray! We are working hard to ensure that all of our efforts are coordinated so we can help the Garza family. During this stressful and emotional time it is very important to keep all lines of communication open so we work TOGETHER on these efforts. Here is an update of what is happening and how you can help:


ACTIVITIES:
1. Money Collection - 6 locations starting Monday 4/21
B Build - Sandy Webb, B105 (next to Nurse)
A Build - OT Gonzales, A Office
FAC - Catherine McClaren,
CM Build - Brenda McCullough, downstairs office
Athletics Office - Bettie McCallay
Voc Build - Marilyn Rodriguez

2. Lunch Collections starting Mon 4/21
We will have groups set up M-F next week to collect donations from all three lunches

3. Spring Show 4/18 & 4/19
We will have a table set up at the Jacketeer Spring Show to collect monetary donations

4. Blood Drive
We will sign people up for the May 9th Blood drive - get info on how your donation can help Ray!

5. Other larger events: Bike Ride, BBQ Plates, Carnival...TBA

ITEMS NEEDED/REQUESTED:
1. Gas Cards (Wal-Mart, Kroger, Sam's, etc)
2. Parking Passes (Memorial Herman) - we will send info out on how to get these
3. Gift Cards to restaurants around the hospital


POINTS OF CONTACT:
1. Blood Drive - if you would like to donate time or have questions about the details please e-mail M Bagwell
2. $$ Collections - if you have questions on donating money please e-mail Marie Alvarado
3. Home Needs - if you would like to provide meals for a specific night or you are able to watch the children please e-mail Brenda McCullough
4. Activity Calendar - if your organization, club or group is planning an event to raise money PLEASE e-mail Sandy Webb with the date, time and details. We MUST be able to answer any questions that
come in from the community.

You may contact any of the individuals listed below with questions and they will help point you in the right direction:

Mike Hodgson, Leila Siegel, Kay Worrell, Marilyn Rodriguez, Sandy Webb, Bettie McCallay, M Bagwell, Brenda McCullough, Roger King, Marie Alvarado, Craig Rhodes, Jeff Pack or Kevon Wells



Kevon Wells
Alvin High School Principal
802 S. Johnson
Alvin, TX 77511
(281) 245-3000
kwells@alvinisd.net




Shirley Brothers
Director of Public Information
Alvin Independent School District
301 E. House Street
Alvin, TX 77511
281-388-1130
sbrother@alvinisd.net

 

hate to see a fellow rider down....i got a few bucks i can lend, who do i email?

 

This was my old football coach. I was entering high school as a freshman when he came to be a coach at Alvin HS. He was a great coach...he took alot of interest in us as his players. I heard this the other night and it shocked me. He is a great guy and his wife was a teacher of mine as well and she was a great woman. I will be prayign for him and we will help out as we can.

PM me any updates Randy. I would be interested in hearing as your wife may have a little more inside than I do.

 

I am going to assume malvarado@alvinisd.net for donations. Thanks

Yea, I will probably hear a little more than most as Amber is also a teacher in town and her brother is a cop here as well. Amber is still pretty shook up and hasn't been able to sleep much yet as she saw it all happen. She keeps seeing it every time she closes her eyes.

 

Wow, I haven't seen Coach in a pretty good while. I will be sure to keep him in my prayers.

 

Bump...

 

Thanks for the updates on coach. All though I don't even know him, but my brother does. He goes to AHS. I am keeping him in my prayers. Ms. Garza hang in there he will make it I just know he will. Recently i had a bunch of promblems and I had to have surgery, but lets not make it about me he is in more critical condition, but I know he will make it and i am keeping you in my thoughts. The lady who hit him on his bike is sick for making up the lie about him going into on coming traffic coach is smarter than that and we all know it.

Love,
Kiwi (my nickname)

 

For those interested; here is a link to stuff that his wife and friends have been writing on his status. There is going to be a bike ride/benefit for him soon.

http://www.avatexas.com/

 

I also heard of this im trying to help the family as much as I can as well.

 

Coach Ray Garza is awake and responding slowly and breathing on his own. He will undergo surgery on his foot this morning that will allow the wounds on his foot to be covered. After he recovers from the surgery the doctors hope to wean him away from the ventilator. He still has extensive repair surgeries ahead and the family encourages your support and prayers. Occupational therapy has come in and started their work.

Just a couple of reminders of upcoming events. Your help and or donations are appreciated:

Community support and fund raising continues at a variety of events:

Students and staff at AHS are selling T- shirts and baked goods at the home softball game this Friday. You may contactbmccallay@alvinisd.netor 281-245-2574.. Get your "Everybody loves Ray" shirt now. Also, there are numerous collection points throughout the district

Alvin Golf and Country Club is supporting Ray by asking for donations throughwww.alvingolf.com ( http://www.alvingolf.com/ ), they are also accepting donations at the pro shop.

May 9th AHS blood drive - Contact Marguerite Bagwell,mbagwell@alvinisd.net 281-245-2564 Plenty of appointments are still available from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The blood drive will be held in Gym 3.

May 17th Motorcycle ride and Benefit - Contact Jaye at Twisted Cycles,twistedcycles@sbcglobal.net
281- 388-0711, or Kevon Wells atkwells@alvinisd.net 281-245-3000. The ride begins at First National Bank (Gator Bank) on Hwy 6 and SH 35. Kick-stands up at 10:00 AM, and ends at the Alvin High School Gym 3 parking lot. Food, beverages, music and numerous activities are planned for the entire family after the ride. A live and silent auction will be held and several bands are performing. Numerous activities for children will be available including inflatable play areas, face painting, and much more.


John, is your shop the one's printing up the shirts??

 

thanks randy 4 the update