Syrjala “Sue” Garcia, mother of injured LSU cheerleading coach Chico Garcia, danced onstage with a smile on her face Saturday in front of a packed Varsity Theatre to the tunes of New Orleans band the Chee Weez with her son and husband by her side.
Sue’s joy didn’t give any indication that the concert was being held as a fundraiser for Chico, who was paralyzed from the chest down after a boating accident on the Amite River in late August 2011.
Since his injury, Cheering for Chico, a foundation started to raise money for his medical costs, has held a number of events in his honor.
The Chee Weez sold $5 raffle tickets at the show for a chance to win a guitar autographed by all of the band members. All proceeds from the raffle tickets benefited the foundation, raising more than $1,000 on the night.
At the end of the concert, Chico was presented with his own personal autographed guitar from the band.
Sue said the foundation’s events have been a major source of support for Chico and the rest of his family, both personally and monetarily.
“It means everything to us,” she said. “Medical expenses are so costly and the accommodations needed are so outrageous that without the fundraising, I don’t think we could do it all.”
The event was more than just another fundraiser, however.
Chico and a close friend on the cheerleading squad, Denise Galjour, graduated from LSU in 2006. Galjour’s brother, Daniel Dicharry, plays the keyboard for the Chee Weez and agreed to hold a party for her and Chico at the Varsity after their graduation.
This added a special element to Saturday’s concert, Sue said, because it was a reunion of sorts for the pair’s graduation celebration.
“It was a blowout party both times,” Sue said. “The graduation party was no different than [Saturday] night.”
Galjour and Chico’s friendship continued to grow as she became the coach for LSU’s Tiger Girls the same year he became the cheerleading coach.
After the accident, Galjour was instrumental in forming the Cheering for Chico foundation and organizing the subsequent events.
Since its founding, Cheering for Chico has held events ranging from blood drives to car washes, which Galjour said benefits not only his medical expenses but his legacy on campus.
“Chico’s injury was the talk of the city when it first happened,” Galjour said. “We want to make sure he continues to be remembered for what he was and still is.”
Sue said despite his injuries, Chico has managed to stay involved with the cheering squad. His ability to attend practices and maintain his relationships with the team has helped him remain positive through all the struggles and frustrations that come his way.
“The main thing that keeps Chico going is these kids and cheerleading,” Sue said. “He says it makes him feel like he is out of the chair.”
Galjour said the organization is working on setting up an annual event for Chico, which may include a band and a 5k run.
“He is the life of every party,” she said. “So it’s very important to us that we get all of his friends and supporters together to keep normalcy in his life.”
 
 
____
Contact Morgan Wampold at [email protected]