Santana to be presented with Shriver Award
One of the distinctive honors the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and the College Hall of Fame presents is the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award.
This year’s honoree is Fernando Santana, who has been a proud member of the Special Olympics New Jersey community for nine years.
“I am honored and overjoyed to receive the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Champion Award,” said Santana, who strives to represent SONJ to the best of his abilities.
Since 2014, he has been involved in flag football, floor hockey, basketball, and softball.
Santana states that participating in Special Olympics has taught him teamwork, dedication, focus, courage, strength, discipline, and responsibility.
After graduating from Chatham-ECLC High School, Fernando wasted little time joining the workforce. He took a job as a donation attendant at the Goodwill Store & Donation Center in Bordentown, where he provides top customer service with positive energy each day he goes to work.
A very caring individual, Santana is always willing to help others in every way possible.
“I would love to be able to assist people moving forward and live a fuller life, and help bring happiness to people,” Santana said.
Santana was a member of Team New Jersey, who competed in the Special Olympics USA Games the past June of 2022 in Orlando, Florida.
Team New Jersey sent 138 athletes and Unified partners along with 37 coaches to compete in 14 of the 19 sports.
There, he competed in the sport of Flag Football in the highest division.
He is proud and thrilled to announce that his team brought home the gold medal. Fernando is honored and overjoyed to receive the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Champion Award and strives to represent Special Olympics New Jersey to the best of his abilities.
When he is not helping others or winning championships, Santana dedicates his spare time to family and friends, whom he loves and adores.