Heupel’s Foundation Helping Oklahoma’s Own

Originally Published: Nov 23, 2010 11:30 AM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

NORMAN, Okla. – The 14 Foundation, started by former Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel, is setting records while helping Oklahoman’s this holiday season.

During the OU-Texas Tech game, with a record 160 volunteers helping at the event, the foundation raised $34,500 for its annual Holiday Food Drive.

The funds raised at the football game will be used to assist families in Ada, Ardmore, Enid, Kingfisher, Lawton, Norman, Oklahoma City, Stillwater and Sand Springs.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of The 14 Foundation’s food drive and it has come a long way since it began.

In its first year, the annual food drive helped 11 families, and this year it is expected generate approximately 45,000 meals.

The 14 Foundation partnered up for this year’s food drive with the OU Football program, the Regional Food Bank, U.S. Foods and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The Sooner football team also helped distribute boxes of food to families Monday at the Switzer Center.

Families got to go inside the Switzer center and meet the players and have autographs signed before picking up their holiday food packages.

Heupel, Oklahoma’s quarterbacks coach, started the 14 Foundation when he was a player for the Sooners, and says it’s his faith that pushes him to help others.

“It’s because of that faith that we want to reach out and help people, but I think that it affects everything we do in our daily lives and I think that even in the coaching position you’re always trying to reach out and help people,” said Heupel.

Heupel’s wife Dawn has also been a big help in the foundation and says they enjoy helping as a family.

“I think it helps keep you grounded and keeps you focused on others, rather than yourself, so I think that’s what we try to keep as the center point of our life,” said Dawn.