Jason R. Tirado
Jason Tirado, Zeta Epsilon Chapter at George Mason University, passed away on April 30, 2000, from a fall during a hiking trip with friends in the North Carolina mountains. Jason was a Journey of Hope cyclist in 1999 and was spending the 2000 spring semester as Gear Up Florida project manager. He impacted the lives of hundreds during his time with The Ability Experience.
Todd J. Porterfield
Todd Porterfield, Alpha Delta Chapter at the University of Washington, passed away on August 7, 2000. Todd was cycling with the Journey of Hope South team and was struck by a car in Lexington, N.C. Todd leaves a long legacy of compassion, brotherhood, dedication and selfless giving.
Porterfield-Tirado Memorial Grant Recipients
The Porterfield-Tirado Memorial Grants provides annual grants to organizations, voted on by the Journey of Hope teams, that made the greatest impact on members along their respective routes.
2024
MTSTCIL Beckley - Beckley, WV
Northern Nevada Human Services - Fallon, NV
2023
Ashley House - Enumclaw, WA
Alway B Smiling - Pittsburgh, PA
2022
The ARC of Central Nebraska - Grand Island, NE
Children's Therapy Clinic - Huntington, WV
2021
Nebraska Spina Bifida Inc. - Omaha, NE
Camp Civitan - Williams, AZ
2020
The ARC of Central Nebraska - Grand Island, NE
2019
Eisenhower Center - Ann Arbor, MI
Every Ability Plays Project of New Mexico - Albuquerque, NM
2018
Nebraska Spina Bifida Inc. - Omaha, NE
Sportable Inc. Richmond, VA
2017
Rocky Mountain Village
Adaptive Recreation Services
2016
Nebraska Spina Bifida
AbilityFirst - Long Beach
2015
Southside Arts Center
AbilityFirst - Long Beach
2014
Chasing Dreams
CampUs at Samford University's Ida Moffett School of Nursing
Rogers Family Honorary Grant
Bruce Rogers, Chi Chapter at Stetson University, was the inspiration for Journey of Hope in 1987. He was the first to cycle from the Pacific Northwest to the east coast in order to raise funds and awareness for the organization.
He now lives in Evergreen, CO with his family. Bruce and Sally, his wife, are still very involved with the mission and work of The Ability Experience. Bruce is a major corporate sponsor and regularly does ride-a-longs with the Journey of Hope teams.
ROGERS FAMILY HONORARY GRANT RECIPIENTS:
2019
Adaptive Recreation Opportunities – Fort Collins, Colorado
The City of Fort Collins Recreation Division provides equal and quality recreation for community members with disabilities. Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO) strives to ensure that people with disabilities have the necessary accommodations or support to participate in any recreation program at their highest level of independence.
2017
2016
2015
Walla Walla Valley Disability Network
2014
