Tracy Toyota Help Focus Light on ALS Fundraising

Years before there was an Ice Bucket Challenge, former college and professional football linebacker Eric Scroggins helped shed light on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often called Lou Gerhig’s Disease. While his life may have been claimed by ALS, his spirit most definitely was not.

Scroggins, whose connection to Tracy Toyota (Calif.) spanned decades, was diagnosed with ALS in 2007. He worked nine years as a parts warehouse manager in the 1990s and partnered with former 49ers teammate and store owner Ronnie Lott. Frustrated with a lack of awareness and treatment, Scroggins, his wife, Shonta, and best friends Lott and Keena Turner responded by starting a nonprofit group, Eric’s Vision (ericsvision.org), to help find a cure.

The first fundraiser brought in $150,000 for the cause before Scroggins lost his battle with ALS at age 49 in 2009. Since then the efforts have grown. Lott and Tracy Toyota lead its fifth annual “Walk for the Cure” in April, as well as a “5K for the Cure” and its social media campaign, the “5 for 5 Challenge.

“The Ice Bucket Challenge raises the awareness of ALS to a significant level and demonstrated how powerful social media can be,” says Lott. “With the 5 for 5 Challenge,” we’re asking everyone out there to donate at least $5 and to urge at least five other people in their social networks to help the fight.”