Ciudad Juarez, Mexico (KVIA): Tune in to ABC-7 after the football game Monday night and at 10 a.m. for this in-depth story: A large group of children in the southern suburbs of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico The kids patiently wait in line, trying to contain their excitement as legendary high school football coach Jeff Skran gives the kids “high fives” and hands out goodies, all while trying to get free soccer equipment. I’m waiting to get it.
The group of children, ranging in age from 12 to 15, lived in Colonia, one of the most remote areas of Ciudad Juárez, a border city of about 2 million people just across the border from El Paso, Texas.・I live in Mesquital. .
In the heart of the district is a church and community center called “Compañerismo de Gràcia”, which provides free meals for the children of Colonia Mezquital and provides a safe haven off the streets and away from the temptations of drugs and gangs. We also offer locations. Other adverse effects.
In another KVIA edition of “People, Places & Paul,” ABC-7 anchor Paul Cicala joins legendary football coach Jeff Skran, who has more than 300 career wins as a coach at the high school, college and professional levels. I drove to South Juarez and photographed the scene. This is a wonderful story of goodwill.
“This is really rewarding,” Jeff Skran said, exchanging smiles with grateful Juarez youth. “When you see them lined up, it’s great to see them show their appreciation.”
The children were given soccer balls, goalie gloves, shin guards, water bottles and new jerseys.
It’s all part of the many donations Jeff Skran raised by driving 4.5 hours from his hometown of Tucson, Arizona, to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to brighten children’s weekends.
Angel Giovani Arellano Guerrero, a 14-year-old from Colonia Mezquital in Juarez, told ABC-7’s Paul Cicala, “I’m very happy because, thanks to God, I get to play with these gifts. It’s really a dream.”
Jeff Sklan, who coached multiple high schools to state championship appearances and won several state titles as a coach in Tucson, Arizona, and Oregon, made a similar humanitarian visit to Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.・The largest major city between Juarez and Nogales, Sonora). This is the story of my visit to Agua Prieta, Sonora.
Jeff Scarlan says of his work with children, “I try to help kids understand that there’s a good side to life, in that it’s kids doing kids for kids. It’s very practical in that sense.”
Johan Leonel Esparza, a 14-year-old from Colonia Mezquital in Ciudad Juárez, told ABC-7’s Paul Cicala, “We’re very grateful for the jerseys that Coach (Scran) gave us. It means a lot to me.”
Jeff Skran reiterated how impressed he was with the kids’ sportsmanship, especially after the handball game during the scrimmage following the presentation ceremony.
“It was pretty weird, but one kid raised his hand like he was signaling for the referee, but since the referee wasn’t there, everyone stopped, and no one complained, and the other kids got the ball. “This is the kind of thing that really gets kids off the streets and shows the value of sports in terms of education,” Scarlan said.
If you want to help young people like the ones mentioned in this article, coach Jeff Scallan has traveled to Mexico many times and plans to return to Ciudad Juarez. Contact him at: coachscurran@yahoo.com
