JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla – At Fletcher High School, James Russell is more than an alumnus. He is family.
Russell, News4JAX’s May Positively JAX winner, is considered a legend at Fletcher. Some even used to call him the assistant baseball coach.
James was born with cerebral palsy. Doctors told his parents he might not survive, and if he did, he might never walk, talk or function independently. But his family never gave up, and neither did the community.
Fundraisers helped pay for specialized therapy that was not covered by insurance, giving James opportunities his family could not afford alone. Years later, he decided to spend his life giving that same support to others.
“I wanted to give back to my community because they helped me walk and talk, so I felt the need to give,” Russell said.
In 2018, he created the James Russell Fund. Since then, the organization has collected school supplies, toys and clothing, awarded scholarships, helped build accessible ramps, supported families facing medical crises and stepped up whenever help was needed.
His grandmother, Jean Hinton, said his heart for service started early.
“Since the day he was born, he’s always had a big heart,” Hinton said.
One of the causes closest to James’ heart is a scholarship honoring the late Fletcher baseball coach and school resource officer Eddie Bounds. Bounds treated James like any other member of the team.
“They had a very close relationship,” said Janice Bounds, Eddie’s wife. “He wanted James to feel like James was just a normal kid who loved baseball, loved sports, loved life.”
This year, four Fletcher seniors each received $2,500 scholarships through the fund in Coach Bounds’ name.
“My husband would be so proud and honored to know that the scholarship’s in his name,” Janice Bounds said.
James has also helped support improvements to Fletcher’s athletic facilities, including the school’s renovated weight room.
Athletic Director Brian Gilbert said one of his favorite memories is watching James graduate.
“He got off his wheelchair and he walked across that stage,” Gilbert said. “I think it was really inspiring and really awesome.”
For James, the mission is simple.
“It’s all part of we do it together,” he said. “That’s how we make a difference.”
A community once came together to help a little boy beat the odds. Now that little boy has grown into a man making sure others get the same chance.