There will be special court-side opportunities as the Spurs show their support during their game against the Nuggets on Apr. 12.
SAN ANTONIO — A local teen ambushed in a violent attack is getting support from people across San Antonio, including the San Antonio Spurs.
Friday, Apr. 12 will be “Zander Night Out” as the Spurs take on the Nuggets at Frost Bank Center. But that’s not the end of it…
Others in the art community have been involved in a full court press for the 15-year-old photographer who has been an entrepreneur with his work since he was just 10.
Family friends of the teen say Zander is an engaging ‘old soul’ that easily wins hearts.
Supporters have been snapping up Zander’s photography work at benefits since word started to spread that the teen and his family need help.
Holding up a festive t-shirt with a smiling caricature she created of the teen, family friend Angel Contero called the budding small business owner a ‘cutie.’
“We’ve known him since he was a chubby faced 10-year-old and it’s been awesome to see him grow and he’s a man now, because he has grown so much,” Contero said.
Contero said she is part of an army of what they call “aunties by choice.”
Stefanie Hernandez, who is also a member of the creative maker community, said she is a solid supporter because Zander has been a people-pleasing favorite for years.
Hernandez said, “He lights up the markets! He is friends with everybody! He’s the kid that – we call him the Golden Boy.”
San Antonio Police said on Feb. 22, Zander and his mom were ambushed in a shooting and his injuries landed him in the ICU of a local hospital for three weeks.
Over the weekend detectives announced the arrest of a suspect who is now charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
That man remains jailed on a bond of $150,000.
But family and friends remain focused not on the attack but on the miracle of community support.
Hernandez said, “It was so positive that doctors would come in and tell mom ‘We are just amazed at how this kiddo is progressing!.'”
As she proudly showed off earrings created by a relative by one of Zander’s original designs, Contero said, “It’s overwhelming to see the amount of love and support for this one person.”
The women said the maker community has made lots of things to support the family’s long-term needs and they have been selling them at a series of benefits over the last few weeks.
“Shirts, coasters, stickers, magnets, and prints as well,” Contero said.
The women said Jefferson Bodega, a business that had closed, re-opened for a day with all of the profits donated to the cause.
Hernandez said Zander received his first professional camera at age 10 while at a Spurs event and ever since then he has been a fixture at local art markets, not only with his own work but helping anyone who needed a hand.
Hernandez said, “He introduces himself. He is not afraid to go out and talk and help and if somebody needs something he’s the first kid, the first person, to go and volunteer!”
Showing off some of Zander’s prints, Contero said, “They are very San Antonio related.” She says he does a lot of popular places here in San Antonio, like the Majestic, where the marquee reads “We love you San Antonio. See you soon,” which they said was created at the start of the pandemic.
Hernandez said a Zander website is in the works because they know the family will need help for the long-term since Zander’s recovery will be a challenging journey. Hernandez said, “You thank God for everything you have and it puts life in perspective. It’s nice to be on that journey with them and rooting for him.”
For information and tickets to the Spurs benefit night, click the link HERE.
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