 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.
|
