Queen Creek family creates nonprofit honoring son to help athletes

QUEEN CREEK, AZ (AZFamily)—An Arizona family wants to turn their grief into growth by helping other teen athletes.

Last New Year’s Eve, 14-year-old Will Scallon died after crashing his dirt bike into a tree.

“It’s like a hole is in our family and it can’t ever be filled,” said his dad, Gregory Scallon.

A big lover of sports, Will was an avid football player starting at just 5 years old.

He eventually earned the nickname Big Will.

“Football was his favorite. That was just where his heart was, and that’s all he wanted to do was play football,” said his mom, Stephanie Scallon.

His family said Will was a gentle giant and loved by many.

He took on the persona of his favorite superhero, Captain America.

Now, his family wants to help continue his legacy and love for sports through their nonprofit Big Will Scallon Fund. The nonprofit helps provide financial support for young athletes in need.

“There are lots of lots of kids that don’t have the means to play organized sports but have amazing gifts that aren’t being utilized so we want to give these kids the opportunity to have this in their lives. That have organized sports in their lives,” Gregory said.

According to the Aspen Institute, families annually pay $883 for sports, and nearly 20% of kids can’t participate in organized sports because of the expense.

“I really hope that people, I just hope they know that it’s Will doing it because it is. It’s not us. It’s him,” Stephanie said.

If you or someone you know needs assistance or if you’d like to help, click/tap here.

They will also hold a fundraiser on Will’s birthday, Sept. 29, at the Valley Taproom in Queen Creek from 4 to 7 p.m.

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