Children in need for Christmas

Hello, my name is AJ and I am one of the Coaches for the 2021 Valley Cottage Indian Football Pop Warner program. This year I had the honor to be an assistant coach on the Mitey Mites, a truly special group of kids eager to learn the ropes of football. This season one child in particular stood out: Benjamin Castillo.

This was Benjamin’s first year playing football, and at only 7 years old he was one of the youngest players on the team. One day after practice I bumped into Benjamin’s sister, Layla, when she stated, “I’m so happy Benjamin is loving football, at first he didn’t want to play”. Layla explained that he didn’t want to ‘hurt people when tackling, like someone hurt his mother.’

Layla revealed to me that her mother was killed in a violent incident—in early 2019, Benjamin and Layla’s mother was murdered outside a convenience store in Rockland County. Benjamin, Layla, and their third sibling, Mason (pictured above) were present when a man was asked not to smoke in front of the children. The man got into his vehicle and intentionally struck the family, killing the children’s mother.

Benjamin’s mom sacrificed her life to save her children. Benjamin and his siblings’ maternal Grandmother, Joan Christopher, was given custody of Benjamin, Mason, and Layla since their biological fathers are not currently involved in their lives.

My buddy Benjamin (pictured in the middle), was extremely focused and while the rest of the kids were being kids, Benjamin was focused in on the coaches instructions and eager to learn. Benjamin is an incredibly special little boy, who up until his mother was killed when he was 5 years old was just a regular kid tied to his mother’s hip. Unfortunately, Benjamin now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder.

Mason (pictured left) also played football this year; same team but the next age level up, this also being his first season. Mason has Autism. Mason came with a smile on his face and fought through discomfort and a challenging learning curve to have a very successful season, never giving up and never complaining.

Layla also participated in the Valley Cottage program, becoming a cheerleader for the Valley Cottage Indian Cheer team. Layla (pictured far right) was born completely deaf, and now has the ability to hear with the assistance of Cochlear implants. Layla showed up everyday with infectious optimism. She was a role model to my young daughter, and her positive attitude is contagious. You cannot help but to feel warmness in her presence.

Thankfully the kids have their angelic grandmother, Joan, who is doing the best she can to provide for them while also caring for the children’s’ grandfather who recently had the majority of his foot amputated.

I felt an instant connection to Benjamin’s story and am compelled to create this Gofundme to help his family in desperate need. We need to join together in giving these wonderful children a memorable Christmas. Please consider purchasing gifts from the children’s wish list or providing monetary gifts that will go a long way in providing the care these kids deserve.

You can directly message me to buy individual items and send them to me, where I will wrap and hand deliver them days before christmas.

If you choose to donate directly on gofundme, all value will be used to fulfill their wishlists as well as any left-over value to be put in accounts for the children to go towards education, lessons, and or sporting related costs.