Canyon High School’s Cheerleaders united last month to raise funds for the Triumph Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Andrew Skinner. The 29-year-old Skinner suffered a spinal cord injury five years ago while using a snowboard in the backyard area of the family’s vacation home in Lake Arrowhead. Now a quadriplegic, he launched the Triumph Foundation to inspire individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries to “triumph” over their disabilities and to keep moving forward with their lives by pushing themselves to get better every day. Their activities consist primarily of educating people that have suffered a Spinal Cord Injury about the many organizations, assistance programs, activities, and pieces of equipment that exist to help them keep living their lives to the fullest potential.

The cheer squad launched a fundraising effort to help Skinner, a 1998 Canyon High School graduate, by selling chocolate bars over a two-week period, donating a total of $2,000.55 to Triumph Foundation.

Several local businesses also donated money to provide additional incentive for the girls. The generosity of the following businesses allowed an additional $535 to be donated directly to Triumph Foundation: Mike Konle’s Champion Crane Services, Pacoima; Tami Cox, Dog Gone Happy Dog Trainer, Santa Clarita; Elaine Oliver & Family, Santa Clarita; Dave Stefko & Brian Mowatt’s Eberhard Construction & Roofing, Van Nuys; Bob & Deyna Clough’s Enpro Engineered Products, Inc., Santa Clarita; Lucy & Tom Nixon’s Lucy Nixon Realty, Santa Clarita, and Kelly & Doreen Palmer’s Pyrotection Specialists, Inc., Santa Clarita.

The top fundraisers earned prizes, with a $150 giftcard from Westfield Town Center Mall going to Hannah Stefko from the varsity squad, who sold 180 chocolate bars. Second place, earning a $100 giftcard from Westfield, went to freshman cheerleader Eileen Cortez. Two varsity cheerleaders tied for third place, each receiving a $50 giftcard from Westfield: Celeine Banaag and Cassi Diaz.

“Andrew brought to us, not just the opportunity to teach our girls to reach out into our community, but also the chance to impact the lives of our girls through him and his incredible desire and ability to achieve great heights - never allowing his unexpected disability to get in his way,” said Hannah’s mother, Janet Stefko.

To learn more about Andrew Skinner and Triumph Foundation go to: www.Triumph-Foundation.org.