For the second
year in a row, members of the Cerritos College
women's soccer team will be travelling to Mexico
to give back during the holidays. Head coach
Ruben Gonzalez and his wife Senaida, along with
members of his South Coast Conference
championship team will be going to Casa Hogar
Santa Teresita de Jesus Orphanage for Girls in
Tijuana on January 6. The orphanage houses 58
girls from 3 to 15 years of age.
"We'll be
going for Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day),
which represents the arrival in Bethlehem of
Wise Men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus," said
Gonzalez. "On January 6, the kids wake up to
find toys and gifts left by the Reyes Magos
(Magi). So right now, we're in the process of
collecting monetary donations, as well as toys
and clothes for us to bring to the orphanage."
Last year,
Gonzalez, along with Infinity Auto Insurance of
Cerritos, where Senaida works, brought more than
350 toys and over $2000 in donations. In
addition to receiving gifts and money for the
orphanage last year, the girls also experienced
a wonderful holiday celebration which included
piñatas, food, face painting, music and a visit
from Santa.
"It's a
wonderful experience for the girls at the
orphanage, as well as for my players that come
with us," added Gonzalez. "Right now, a couple
of players have told me they're coming and I
hope to get a couple more to join us. Not only
do the girls at the orphanage enjoy the
experience, it's a great learning experience for
the players who decide to come with us. The
three that went last year (Tiffany Hollis, Tara
Corcoran and Luliana Maldonado) said it was the
most amazing time they ever had and I'm sure
whoever goes this year will have the same
reaction."
For monetary
donations, please make checks out to Premiere
Soccer and mail to P.O. Box 500; Paramount, CA
90723. For toys and clothes, they can be brought
to the Cerritos College Athletic Office until
December 18. After that date, all donations can
be sent to the P.O. Box. Joining Gonzalez in
collecting donations for the orphanage is
Bishop Amat High School, where he serves as the
girl's soccer coach.
