On Giving Tuesday, the South Plains mall chose the Siegel family to promote the “Team Luke Foundation,” as a way to celebrate the mall’s Week of Giving and promote the new foundation’s goals and objectives.

“We’re so blessed that we’ve been chosen. The Team Luke foundation is something that is very dear to my heart,” said Tim Siegel, Luke’s father. “We want to assist families financially emotionally with those that have suffered anoxic or traumatic brain injuries the way we have.” 

“I think the ‘Pray for Luke’ movement locally went broad and was embraced by this community,” said Ashley Knox, marketing manager for the South Plains Mall. “It’s just been heartwarming to see how many folks have walked up to introduce themselves to Tim give him a hug and let him know in person how many people are out there praying for the family and we’re excited to see where the Team Luke foundation goes.” 
 
At only 10-years-old, Luke Siegel’s story of recovery is inspiring hundreds both locally and nationwide. 

It’s been 16 months since his life-changing accident. On July 28, 2015, Lubbock Police reported that Luke and a friend had been riding in a golf cart in South Lubbock at high speeds, driving in circles around a cul-de-sac. Witnesses say the golf cart tipped over. Luke was taken to University Medical Center where his family learned he had gone into cardiac arrest and suffered severe brain damage.

Today, his family continues to share his story for others undergoing similar obstacles via Facebook, and now, through the “Team Luke Foundation.”

“My goal is to raise money to help families to bring awareness to brain injuries and more than anything to help families that maybe can’t afford a wheelchair or a stander or a pump anything and make that not only in west Texas but all over the country.”

The foundation is expected to serve as a beacon of hope and support, but also a platform to educate and enforce golf cart safety. It’s an issue he plans to bring to City Council on Thursday.

“Parents need to know what they bought, if it’s a modified golf cart where it can tip over, parents should be on board, number one. Number two, certainly helmets is very important,” said Siegel. “There’s a lot of golf carts driving around that cars may not even see them, so I just want to bring that to attention because in our community there’s so many of these little areas where golf carts have taken the place of bikes.”

Until some changes are made, Siegel says he’s thankful for his community’s unwavering support since Luke’s accident.

“He’s [Luke] inspired a lot of people and when people come up to me and tell me that Luke has made them a better parent, spend more time with their children, then there’s been some good come out of it and for that I’m grateful.”

On Tuesday, the South Plains Mall surprised the Siegel family and presented the foundation with a $1,000 check.

Siegel says if you want to keep up with Luke’s progress, to follow the Facebook page: “Pray for Luke Siegel,” and the foundation’s web page: teamlukefoundation.com 

The foundation will have its first board meeting on December 13.