Team Billy's Bird Gang is back for our 2nd year participating in the 2026 9th annual Eagle's Autism Challenge!
YEAR 1 IMPACT:
We raised a total of $14,425 for the Eagles Autism Foundation with a team of 18 people
Who We Are & How We Started:
From the very beginning, Billy's story has been written in Eagles Green🦅💚
Billy was born into a home where the Eagles were more than a team- they were part of the family’s heartbeat. From his earliest days, he loved curling up on the couch with his dad for Sunday games.
At 22 months, Billy was diagnosed with autism and for the first few years of his life remained completely non-speaking. Just after his third birthday, Billy broke his silence in the most perfect way with a big: “Go Birds!”🦅💚
From that moment on Billy's passion for the Bird's grew into what's known as a special interest for autistic people. He lives and breathes Eagles football-- learning every detail, celebrating his hero Jalen Hurt's touchdowns as if he was on the filed, and requesting to wear some shade Eagles Green on a daily basis. His love for the team has become a bridge that allows him to connect to the world in ways that continue to amaze us.
Connection can be difficult for Billy, but not when the Philadelphia Eagles or his friends at the Eagles Autism Foundation are involved! 🦅💚
The Viral Moment that changed everything:
In August 2024, Billy experience Lincoln Financial Field for the very first time at an Eagles Open Practice. That's where he spotted Kylie Kelce working the EAF yard sale & ran to her with open arms (something that rarely happens if you know Billy).
In that moment something magical happened- Kylie embraced Billy's joy, recognized his love for the team, and saw him for who he really is. That first meeting went viral & EAF reached out to invite Billy into their family with open arms by inviting him to attend the All Abilities Clinics.
Since then, their friendship has grown into something truly special, celebrated on Good Morning America and national news networks after EAF invited him to the Banner Drop ceremony, where Billy & Kylie had a surprise reunion on the field.
Where We Started:
After the open practice and the All Abilities clinics, our family knew we had to give back to an organization that was giving Billy such incredible memories! And so- Billy's Bird Gang was created!
Billy's passion for the Birds inspires everyone around him and motivates our family to rally behind the mission of Eagles Autism Foundation, making our participation in the Eagles Autism Challenge a no brainer. Supporting the Eagles Autism Foundation has become an integral part of who our family because they've given Billy priceless opportunities & lifelong friends.
In our first year as a team we had 18 team members and raised a combined $14,425.00 for EAF- with Billy's Mom raising $10,000 of that total individually to secure Billy a trip to Eagles Training Camp in August of 2025!
Look Ahead to Year 2:
As we look forward to the 2026 Eagle's Autism Challenge, Billy's Bird Gang is ready to take flight again- bigger & stronger than ever. We already have 19 team members signed up & an incredible $3,652 raised in just the first few days of registration.
Our goal for 2026 is double the impact we had in 2025 by raising at least $28,000 as a team! With the support of the amazing community we have surrounding us, we have no doubt that we'll get there!
When you choose to support Billy's Bird Gang, you're not just donating- you're becoming part of a movement for change- not just for Billy, but for the entire Autism Community he belongs to. Together we can turn Autism Awareness into action and help fuel the change the Eagles Autism Foundation is creating in the world.
📲Follow @BillysBirdGang on IG for live fundraising updates & information on how you can help us conquer year 2!
