Support Santiago's Team: Empower Young Athletes

Team,

First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you for supporting the players and parents of the team Santiago played on last year—your donations went a long way. I was closely aligned with the coaches to ensure that the players/families who needed the money most received it. I felt it was important to keep where the money came from anonymous so the families only knew the money came from the coaches.

I can't put a monetary value on how the exposure to families closer aligned with the socioeconomic status that Natalia (my wife) and I grew up in. Still, I can tell you that the experience gave him an opportunity to communicate and develop empathy for those who may not be as blessed and fortunate (monetarily) as all of us are.

This year, Santiago is on a different team (Rarebreeds). Still, the dynamics haven't changed, and that is by choice - single mothers with two jobs and going to school, single fathers, mothers doing their best to get kids to practice even without a car - good, hard-working families that need minor monetary support sometimes. I felt that this year, it's even more critical for me to sponsor the team because the boys are older. The exposure they get by playing football will be essential in their future success as men, so I have decided to sponsor the team again this year and would appreciate any support you can provide to this cause.

In addition, with Santiago getting injured, we will also help coach an 8U team with a couple of the coaches from Santiago’s team from last year. One of the stories that touched me the most was one of the boys being dropped off by one of the coaches with his foster care family and the boy crying because he didn’t want to leave. The coach is not concerned about the family fostering the boy – the boy loves being around the coaches and team.

Items Needed for Players:

Please note that NONE of this money will go toward anything for Santiago or any family with the means to pay for the items listed below. This money will go to the families that need it the most.

Please note that any dollar amount would be appreciated if you are comfortable donating.