Laguna student raises $7,000 for local athlete Brad Ebner
April 30, 2007

On Sunday, April 22, supporters of Brad Ebner gathered for the perfect rainy day activity--a good movie and some popcorn! Laguna Blanca junior Nathaniel Oliver organized a successful benefit for Dos Pueblos High star running back Brad Ebner who is still recovering from a severe head injury suffered last fall in a football game against Righetti High. The movie, Quantum Hoops, is about the Cal-Tech basketball team who over the years has won more Nobel prizes than points on the scoreboard.

Film director Rick Greenwald attended the private screening, not only to introduce the film, but to host an informative question and answer session afterward. However, the most moving moment of the day was when Nathaniel introduced Brad Ebner and his family. As Brad walked to the front of the theatre, supporters gave him a resounding standing ovation for the courage and hard work it has taken to achieve such amazing progress.

Major contributors for the benefit included David and Bruce Corwin who provided the Riviera Theatre, Diana MacFarlane of Countrywide Home Loans who provided free popcorn and drinks, Susie Gray with Grayphics who printed promotional posters and flyers, and Nathaniel’s parents Fal and Christine Oliver who provided the rental of special projection equipment. There were surprise donors as well--an interior designer who ordered one ticket for $15, but sent a check for $1,015. Then there was a woman who bought two tickets at the door, mentioned that her grown sons had played football for Dos Pueblos, and then paid with a $1000 check.

Nathaniel modestly shares, “The major donors are the people who bought a ticket and attended the event, plus all those people who made a donation when they couldn’t attend.” According to his parents, Nathaniel wanted this event as a 17th birthday present rather than a party or a gift. In the end, he received the best present of all—the gift of giving. And his friend Brad Ebner? Thanks to Nathaniel’s altruistic efforts, he received approximately $7,000 for the B-rad Fund.