one by one®: 24Strong Foundation
Imagine having the strength to turn devastating loss into inspiration and blessings.
That’s what Tammy Grays and her husband, Robert L. Grays III, seek to do through the 24Strong Foundation, a charitable organization started in 2018 following the sudden loss of their son, Robert Tyree Grays. The organization provides scholarships and education giveaways to dozens of students in Robert’s memory.
In September 2017, during Robert’s third game of his sophomore year at Midwestern State University, he made what seemed to be a routine tackle during the fourth quarter of the game. Tragically, the neck injury he sustained during the play claimed his life. In honor of Robert’s life and his treasured jersey number 24, his college peers started the hashtag #24Strong.
With the vision of creating a legacy in his name, Tammy Grays and her husband sought a way to keep his memory alive while making a positive impact. “We decided to start a nonprofit to support graduating student-athletes in our area,” Grays said. 
How scholarships and education giveaways make a difference for graduating student-athletes
During the organization’s first year, the Grays hoped to help just one student by selling tickets to what they imagined would be a small fundraising event. Through an outpouring of love and support from the community, that small banquet became a room filled with more than 250 people. More than $10,000 was raised to help six students.
Five years later, the 24Strong Foundation has supported 56 students with more than $64,000 in scholarships to help them on their journeys to college. “All we do is post on social media,” said Grays. “Our friends and family pour into it.”
To apply for the scholarship, students must reflect the characteristics of Robert Tyree Grays: they must be a student-athlete, have a referral from a coach or teacher and exhibit the same uplifting spirit and inspirational attitude.
As the scholarship program has grown over the years, the Grays have sought to support their students in additional ways, including establishing an alumni program to keep in touch with scholarship recipients. They also give recipients educational giveaways, such as backpacks, with the 24Strong Foundation logo. These backpacks are not only practical gifts for graduating seniors, but also honor Robert Tyree Grays’ number and spread the word about the foundation that continues his legacy.
A note from Cheryl
It is so inspiring to see a family give back to their community in such a profound and touching way. 4imprint is humbled to be a small part of the 24Strong Foundation’s mission to support student-athletes like their son by providing education giveaways. To learn more about a 4imprint one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.com.