A Mexican youth baseball team stranded in Los Angeles with no money faced having to go back home until the community stepped in to help.
The team of 16 players, ages 15 to 18, and their coaches from Aguascalientes in central Mexico were expecting support from local community members, who are originally from their home town. The sponsors, who were supposed to pay for food, transportation and other necessities during the team's month-long stay, pulled out when the team arrived to the De Paul Evangelization Center in Montebello, which is housing the group.
Evelyn Morales-Terrazas, who was at the center for a basketball game, heard of their struggles and turned to social media. Within hours, the donations started coming in from as far as Arizona.
"People have rallied together, it's been so amazing," said Moralez-Terrazas, who also runs a sports league at the center. "Heartwarming, really."
Because of the help, the team, the Abejorros, or bumblebees in Spanish, can keep their schedule through the end of the month.
The team was preparing Tuesday for another game — one that would not have been possible without Evelyn Morales-Terrazas.
"We had just $20 to stay just one week here," said the team's assistant coach, Joshua Garcia.
U.S. & World
The center where they are staying provides breakfast and will house them even though the stay is not fully paid. Their lunches and dinners are made by neighbors or donated by local businesses. Transportation is provided by Cedillo Limousine in Buena Park. The list is ongoing, even the AABC League they are playing with is giving them time on the diamond for free.
The team will stay as scheduled through July 30.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for the team.
