FLORESVILLE, Texas — At the Texas State Veterans Home in Floresville, football is a religion.
For Vietnam War veteran Bill Jennings, the Super Bowl is his favorite holiday, topping even Christmas.
"When I was in Georgia, I was a Falcons fan, but when I moved out here I got out with the Cowboys,” Jennings said. "I always make it [the Super Bowl] a big deal. I love it."
This year will be his first Super Bowl at the Frank M. Tejada Texas State Veterans Home.
"Since my uncle’s been paralyzed his whole world has changed, but one of the things that has stayed constant is his love for football," said Brandy Felan McGowin, Jennings' niece.
It's the reason, she's hoping to make this year's Super Bowl a memorable one. McGowin started a GoFundMe with the goal of raising $600 to transform the courtyard of the Veterans Home into a tailgate.
San Antonians answered the call after the story originally aired and has already tripled that goal by raising $1,900 for the tailgate!
"I envision the big screen, and having some more picnic tables," she said. "The idea was to grill. What I would like is to raise enough money to be able to donate the screen and the projector to the home. The veterans here have served and sacrificed and we want to do the same for them, and give them a good day."
McGowan later said via text that they have already been able to purchase a screen and projector. They are still working on finding tables and a grill, but this was a great start to making this Super Bowl weekend everything they had hoped for!
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