COYOTES, PARTNERS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH GRATEFUL STUDENTS OF SAUL MARTINEZ ELEMENTARY

(MECCA) – At Christmas, last-minute miracles involving a big guy bearing gifts are hardly a surprise for most American kids. Unless, however, you’re one of the 1,130 humble children at Saul Martinez Elementary in Mecca, where 90-percent of the families work in agriculture, live below the poverty line, and breakfast, lunch and an education is a gift in itself.

To be fair, SoCal Coyotes defensive end Jake Sheffield and offensive lineman Johnathan Zazueta aren’t Santa Claus, but they are really, really big, just about as big as the eyes of the students at Saul Martinez when the two players burst in recently carrying presents from the non-profit sports leadership organization.

Thanks to the four-time champions and their gracious corporate partners – General Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Jule’s Market, Vantage Point Construction and IBEW Union Local 440 – who dipped into their wallets and invested their t-i-m-e to attend, the Coyotes were able fulfill the school’s annual Toy Drive.

First-time visitors were stunned at the order and obedience of these schoolchildren, who live throughout the Mecca and North Shore communities. Respectful and quiet, they humbly accepted their hand-wrapped gifts from the Coyotes and their sponsors – and actually waited to be told what to do.

After a quick Coyote team howl, and a countdown from five, the screams and laughter were priceless as the kids finally ripped open their gifts, which included remote-controlled cars, trains, games and every conceivable toy.

Just two weeks ago, defensive end Sheffield was hunting quarterbacks, and offensive lineman Zazueta was protecting his, as the Coyotes won an emotional championship in Los Angeles. Now they were enjoying a lesson of a lifetime, one that packed another emotional wallop all its own.

“Thank you so much,” said one little girl, clutching a new doll to her chest. “Nobody has ever given me a present before.”

Perspective, at Christmas, is rare. With just a few words, one little girl silenced the room, and gave everyone listening a gift we will never forget.

ON THE FIELD, 70 PLAYERS ANNUALLY earn the distinction of ‘Defending the Shield’ in the uniform of the SoCal Coyotes. Many will graduate each year to the highest levels of professional football, or local business careers. Off the field, 30,000 Coachella Valley students annually participate in Coyote Leadership Training and receive published Coyote Leadership Curriculum.

RECENTLY NAMED AMERICA’S #1 Developmental Pro Football Program, the SoCal Coyotes non-profit sports leadership organization contributes thousands of dollars and tireless efforts to support participating schools, charities and organizations, with a focus on programs in education, character development and health and fitness that empower generations of youth. To discover more about the SoCal Coyotes, visit www.thesocalcoyotes.com.

-Ron DiGrandi, SVP Business Development/Community Outreach Director