Forney High School Junior Adam Salgado Donates Over 300 Board Games to Children’s Medical Center Dallas
On January 21, Adam Salgado, a dedicated junior at Forney High School, made a significant impact by donating more than 300 board games—valued at over $6,000—to the Children’s Medical Center Dallas. This heartfelt contribution aims to bring joy and comfort to children and teens facing serious medical challenges, particularly during the holiday season.
A Personal Journey Inspires Philanthropy
Adam's journey to founding the nonprofit organization Your Turn—Board Games for the Brave was deeply personal. Earlier this year, he emerged from his own battle with stage III Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a fight that required six months of chemotherapy. During this challenging time, Adam found solace in playing board games with his siblings and friends. These moments provided not only entertainment but also a sense of connection and normalcy amid the isolation that often accompanies serious illness.
Reflecting on his experience, Adam recalls a pivotal moment that sparked his inspiration. “A family friend offered to come over and play board games with me,” he shared. “After several hours of fun, I realized how meaningful it was that someone had taken the time not just to give me something, but to truly spend time with me. That moment stayed with me. I began imagining how powerful it would be to share that experience with other kids going through similar situations.”
Bringing the Vision to Life
Motivated by this vision, Adam set out to provide board games to children facing serious and sometimes terminal illnesses, offering them a welcome break from the stresses of medical treatment. To bring his idea to fruition, he teamed up with Make-A-Wish North Texas, which provided crucial initial funding support. Additionally, he reached out to board game manufacturers and distributors nationwide, successfully securing generous donations of games.
Although Adam has shipped games to children across the country, he was particularly eager to make a difference in North Texas. Partnering with Children’s Medical Center Dallas proved to be an ideal match. His recent donation included dozens of Deluxe Monopoly games, along with a diverse assortment of titles generously contributed by Rio Grande Games and Leder Games.
A Meaningful Delivery
After delivering the games to the Child Life team at Children’s Medical Center, Adam reflected on the significance of the experience. “It was incredible to be able to give to these children and offer them a sense of hope during the holidays,” he stated. “Illness doesn’t pause during Christmastime, and knowing these games might make the season a little brighter for them means everything to me.”
Learn More
For more information about Adam's nonprofit initiative, visit Your Turn—Board Games for the Brave or follow their journey on Instagram at @boardgames.forthebrave.
