PV High football team spends time with at-risk children

As if on cue, the sun shone brightly last Friday as 40 boys and girls, ages 7 to 12, from the Boys and Girls Clubs of the South Bay and approximately 50 varsity football players and coaches from the Palos Verdes High School Sea Kings descended on RAT Beach in Torrance for an afternoon of fun in the sun. This annual event, founded two years ago by coach Guy Gardner, head varsity football coach of the Sea Kings, brings together disadvantaged youths from the South Bay with the team’s varsity players and coaches.

“It’s an opportunity for the kids to do something that is not part of their regular routine,” Gardner said, “and it’s an opportunity for our players to give of their time and themselves to kids who are far less fortunate than they are.”

All of the kids are part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the South Bay, Harbor Gateway/Torrance. The majority of the 40 boys and girls who joined the Sea Kings at RAT Beach are from the Cheryl Green Community Youth Center in Harbor Gateway/Torrance. The center is in memory of Cheryl Green, a 14-year old African-American girl who was gunned down by a local gang member.

“The players and kids had fun boogie-boarding, building sand-castles, playing in the sand, playing football, and other various activities,” Gardner said. “Time flew by, but I know our players really enjoyed not only spending time with the kids, but learning a little about who they are as individuals such as their hobbies and what they like to do. I think the kids really enjoyed themselves as well. It was a fun and memorable experience for all.

“I would personally like to say a special thank you to Toby Mallen and Ron Lodevico from the Boys and Girls Clubs of the South Bay for bringing the kids to the beach,” he continued.

Mallen is on the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the South Bay, and Lodevico is the club’s event coordinator.

“It was an amazing experience for the kids,” Lodevico said. “For some of the kids, it was their first time at the beach. I can’t say enough about the Sea Kings players and coaches. They were great with the kids. In fact, one of the players gave his boogie board as a gift to one of the boys, Jersey Castillo. Now Jersey will have his own boogie board the next time he goes to the beach.”

For the ride home, some of the varsity player moms made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the kids. One of the kids told Lodevico, “This is the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich I have ever had!”

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the South Bay provide summer programs for disadvantaged youths, in addition to after-school programs during the school year. Events like the one that took place last Friday at RAT Beach with the Sea Kings is just one of many events that the kids participate in, but for these kids who were fortunate enough to join the Sea Kings at the beach, this was their first event with mentors.

For many of the kids, last Friday’s afternoon at the beach will be the only time that they get to go to the beach this year. And while the afternoon at the beach did not improve any of the players performance on the field, it made them stronger as a team, as well as stronger and more well-rounded individuals.