Go Shawn Go Foundation

05/09/2026

My name is Kierra Gist, and I am vice president and co-founder of The Go Shawn Go Foundation, a non-profit my husband and I started to support families facing life altering disability when returning home. I am a 2007 alumni of Chautauqua Lake Central school. Our daughter, Margo, is currently attending CLCS in Mrs. LaCross's classroom and our youngest daughter, Ridley, will be attending preschool at CLCCS in the fall.

This fall (October 4th, 2026) the Go Shawn Go Foundation is partnering with Nazareth University Physical Therapy Department to put on a fundraiser event. “The Accessible 5K at Nazareth University” through this event, we are sponsoring 3 families (2 from Monroe County and 1 from Chautauqua County) on supporting 3 young families facing life altering disability through our foundation's 5 pillars: Food, Shelter, Outdoors, Freedom and Resource.

Go Shawn Go Foundation, Inc. Origin Story

In 2024, Shawn experienced a life altering disability, losing the mobility of the left side of his body. Coming home disabled, our family navigated this new normal alone and learned a lot along the way. That’s when we created the Go Shawn Go Foundation, Inc. to support families in their transition to living life with disability through 5 pillars. Food, Shelter, Resource, Freedom, Resource.

Mission & Pillars of the Go Shawn Go Foundation, Inc.

Food: Nutrition is difficult to prepare beyond 2 or 3 step meals. We provide nutritious meal options that are accessible.

Shelter: Going home with a disability is challenging. We help provide access to their home with ramps, grab bars, chair lifts, shower mobility, bidets and dictation smart home devices

Outdoors: It’s not enough to meet the basics of home. The Go Shawn Go Foundation provides mobility chairs, outdoor mobility chairs, accessible trails, accessible playgrounds and ability-inclusive events.

Freedom: Not only is the family facing life altering disability but also navigating the cost of running a home as a family, then the family is faced with the financial burden of medical bills on top of balancing everything else. We provide financial relief for young families navigating life with disability.

Resource: Coming home with a disability isn’t just physical, it affects your family relationships, career and personal growth. We provide resources for mental health to navigate this new normal. Also, returning to normal hobbies, restaurants and travel the go Shawn Go Foundation is a resource for how to do it when living with disability.

Criteria to Apply

1. Someone in the family, adult or child, must be faced with a life altering disability.

2. Someone ages 0 - 18 years old must live in the family residence.

Application
https://bit.ly/48PD5AV

Here is a link to directly view and submit an application. We've attached a flyer with a short link and QR code, along with our letter of intent from Nazareth University to apply to our Family Sponsor Application. Deadline to submit is June 10th.

Please spread the word, and encourage people to apply or nominate a family who might be a good fit for our resources!

Please let us know if you have any additional questions or would like to meet to further discuss The Accessible 5K Event. Please visit our website for more information about the Go Shawn Go Foundation nonprofit.

www.goshawngo.org

05/05/2026

We’re looking to sponsor family’s for our upcoming Accessible 5k event at Nazareth University!

Please fill out our Google form. Applications and nominations need to be submitted by June 10, 2026 for review.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJHB5gqVc3ZjckH7z0oNLE2rIc3KB_rYh49TWL1wp2wWRWjw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

04/16/2026

Want to travel but have a disability? You may be surprised of just how accessible the world 🌎 has become.

54 likes, 4 comments. "Top 10 Wheelchair Friendly Countries"

03/26/2026

👕 Go Shawn Go Foundation T-Shirt Campaign is LIVE! 💙

We’re so excited to officially launch our highly anticipated t-shirt campaign—and we’d love your support.

How it works:
✔️ Make a $50 donation via Venmo or PayPal
Venmo:
https://www.venmo.com/u/goshawngofoundation

PayPal:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=GPLPMZAQ8JVZY

✔️ Fill out our Google Form
Google Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQe_fedZ7XcwvNCE6cnuGDsCM0TinW0oLpmipgflV5cYUijA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

✔️ Select your shirt size and color

Shirt Details:
• Adult sizes: Small – 2XL
• Youth sizes: Small & Medium (limited availability)
• Colors: Blue, White, Grey
• Sizes and colors are first come, first serve

📦 Shipping needed?
Please be sure to complete the Google Form so we have your information.

Already donated at this past weekend’s event?
Thank you! 🙏
Please still fill out the form so we can streamline your order and get your shirt to you.

⸻

Where your donation goes:

Proceeds from this campaign directly support young families facing disability challenges. Your support helps us provide:
• Nutritional support
• Financial and medical assistance
• Access to outdoor experiences
• Home equipment to improve quality of life
• Mental health services

⸻

This is more than a t-shirt—it’s a way to make a real impact.

Thank you for being part of this mission 💙

03/25/2026

This past weekend, we had an incredible time at our 2nd Annual Charity Soccer Event at ⚽💙

With 5 teams signed up—including two from and old co-ed team the shinguards! —and several individual players joining in, the energy and support were truly amazing. Seeing our community come together for such a fun and meaningful event is exactly what the Go Shawn Go Foundation is all about.

We were also blown away by the interest in our Go Shawn Go t-shirts—thank you to everyone who stopped by, showed support, and helped spread our mission. 👕

We’re excited to share that a t-shirt order form will be coming soon, with a $50 donation supporting our cause. Stay tuned for more details!

Your support helps us continue our mission to uplift individuals and families facing medical challenges. To learn more about what we do, visit www.goshawngo.org.

Thank you again to everyone who participated, volunteered, and cheered us on—we couldn’t do this without you! 💙
SupportTheMission

03/20/2026

Our shirts are in! These will be available at the Go Shawn Go Foundation Charity Tournament! Which color is your favorite ?!?!

03/19/2026

⚽ UPDATE: YOU DON’T NEED A TEAM TO PLAY — JUST SHOW UP ⚽

We heard you, Rochester and Buffalo 👀

Getting a full team together isn’t always easy… so we’re opening up INDIVIDUAL SIGN-UPS for the Go Shawn Go Charity Soccer Tournament 🙌

📍 Sunday, March 22
⏰ 12 PM
📍 Rochester Sports Garden

This is your chance to:
✔ Get placed on a team
✔ Meet new people in the soccer community
✔ Play for something that actually matters 💙

Shawn spent over a decade playing at the Sports Garden before being diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 2019.
Now, through the Go Shawn Go Foundation, this event supports families navigating life-changing medical challenges.

⚽ Divisions:
• Advanced Co-Ed
• Recreational Co-Ed (with refs!)

💥 You’ll still get:
✔ Multiple guaranteed games
✔ Competitive + fun environment
✔ Playoff opportunity

👉 SIGN UP SOLO — we’ll handle the rest:
https://apps.daysmartrecreation.com/dash/x/ #/online/rochester/teams/9763

Can’t play?
💙 Support the mission: Venmo

Let’s pack the Sports Garden, build teams on the spot, and show what this community is all about.

CoedSoccer PlayForPurpose

03/19/2026

⚽ YOU DON’T NEED A TEAM TO PLAY — JUST SHOW UP ⚽

We heard you, Rochester 👀

Getting a full team together isn’t always easy… so we’re opening up INDIVIDUAL SIGN-UPS for the Go Shawn Go Charity Soccer Tournament 🙌

📍 Sunday, March 22
⏰ 12 PM
📍 Rochester Sports Garden

This is your chance to:
✔ Get placed on a team
✔ Meet new people in the soccer community
✔ Play for something that actually matters 💙

Shawn spent over a decade playing at the Sports Garden before being diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 2019.

Now, through the Go Shawn Go Foundation, this event supports families navigating life-changing medical challenges.

⚽ Divisions:
• Advanced Co-Ed
• Recreational Co-Ed (with refs!)

💥 You’ll still get:
✔ Multiple guaranteed games
✔ Competitive + fun environment
✔ Playoff opportunity

👉 SIGN UP SOLO — we’ll handle the rest:
https://apps.daysmartrecreation.com/dash/x/ #/online/rochester/teams/9763

Can’t play?
💙 Support the mission: Venmo

Let’s pack the Sports Garden, build teams on the spot, and show what this community is all about.

03/11/2026

⚽ GO SHAWN GO CHARITY SOCCER TOURNAMENT

The Rochester soccer community is coming together again for a great cause.

Join us Sunday, March 22 at 12 PM at the Rochester Sports Garden for a Co-Ed Charity Soccer Tournament benefiting the Go Shawn Go Foundation.

Shawn spent more than a decade playing at the Sports Garden before being diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis in 2019.

Now he and his wife Kierra are using the power of community to support local families facing medical hardships.

⚽ Two divisions with referees:
Advanced Co-Ed
Recreational Co-Ed

✔ $350 per team
✔ Minimum 3 games guaranteed
✔ Top teams advance to playoffs
✔ Minimum 2 women on the field

Grab your teammates and register your squad.

Let’s fill the Sports Garden and play for something bigger than the game. 💙

🔗 Registration link: https://apps.daysmartrecreation.com/dash/x/?fbclid=PAT01DUAQe8LdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAafbc7nhGlvDSvcoGup5J6ePtoOx2uHnigT9DtNJn9o6zJdgeOffo8J180woTQ_aem_1DodTdeckcZSNSqq3qFgzQ #/online/rochester/activity-finder/programs/1/levels/1242?customer_id=57618&days_of_week=s®istrantType=manager&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNTY3MDY3MzQzMzUyNDI3AAGnXqfzJ4Um_tKb-0LMZpIKknBJlRgGds8M0PdSFA2i0vGClA68YueeDjTyDHU_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

Can’t play but want to support?

💙 Venmo:

CoedSoccer

03/11/2026

⚽ Rochester Soccer Community — We Need You!

Many of you know Shawn Gist Jr. from his years playing at the Rochester Sports Garden. It was his second home for more than a decade.

In 2019, Shawn was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, a rare and aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis. In just a few years he transitioned from competing on the field to using a wheelchair.

Instead of giving up, Shawn and his wife Kierra created the Go Shawn Go Foundation to support local families facing serious medical hardships.

On Sunday, March 22, we're bringing the soccer community together again for the Go Shawn Go Charity Co-Ed Soccer Tournament.

📍 Rochester Sports Garden
⏰ Starts at 12 PM
💰 $350 per team

Tournament Format (with referees)
⚽ Advanced Co-Ed Division
⚽ Recreational Co-Ed Division

Each team gets at least 3 games, and the top teams advance to the playoffs.

Team rules:
✔ Co-ed teams
✔ Minimum 2 women on the field
✔ Full teams only

Even though Shawn can’t play anymore, events like this keep him connected to the sport and community he loves.

So grab your teammates and sign up.

Let’s fill the Sports Garden again — this time for something bigger than the game.

🔗 Register your team:
https://apps.daysmartrecreation.com/dash/x/ #/online/rochester/activity-finder/programs/1/levels/1242?customer_id=57618&days_of_week=s®istrantType=manager..

💙 Donate if you can’t play:
Venmo:

Let’s show what the Rochester soccer community is all about. ⚽