Ramirez, who was born in Avenal, delivered a speech in Spanish where he called on the government to do more to provide assistance, which he echoed in a later interview with the Sentinel. “We’re here to show you guys that you’re not alone, and we stand right here with you guys.” “We know the water’s all gone now, but we know that you’re still going through a lot,” he said. Villa told the crowd that he, his team and Ramirez were there to show moral support. “That’s exactly the number of people who have donated support to the people of Pajaro.” “That helps 1,300 people with their immediate needs,” she said. So far, she said the organization has distributed approximately $650,000. Anna Caballero and Assemblyman Robert Rivas’ offices.Īnna Vaage, an administrative analyst with the event’s beneficiary Community Bridges, told the crowd the nonprofit was distributing grants of $500, will later have grants of up to $2,000 to replace household items and eventually will assist with building permits and construction materials. Local politicians were present to help with the raffle, including Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Watsonville Mayor Pro Tempore Vanessa Quiroz-Carter, Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez, Kings County Supervisor Richard Valle and representatives of state Sen. “They’ve been suffering a lot with the flood,” he said.Ī raffle was also held where trailer park residents could be entered to win vacuum cleaners, microwaves, blenders, tower fans, coffeemakers with filters, and gift cards to Home Depot and Target. Max Garcia said they were there to lift people’s spirits. Many of Villa’s training crew, including his coach Max Garcia and Garcia’s wife Kathy, joined Villa in Pajaro to meet with residents, take photos with them and give away tickets to the fight. Villa’s May 13 fight will be his first since signing with Top Rank Boxing. “It’s good to see that they’re doing much better, and the water’s gone.” “I know a few weeks back, the water was up to the windows, they said, and there was a bunch of trash,” he said. A lot of progress has been made in cleaning up the debris from the flooding, which he was pleased to see. Villa came out in between training in Las Vegas for his upcoming fight. “We’ve come to help give support any way we can to help people going through these hard times.” The event also served to highlight that many residents have still been waiting for their Federal Emergency Management Agency applications to be accepted since President Joe Biden approved a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for Monterey County that would allow for federal funding. “These boxers wanted to come meet the residents of Pajaro to show them support but also to utilize their upcoming national televised fight to promote continued support for the residents of Pajaro and also to have the boxing fans donate to the local nonprofit organization Community Bridges,” he said.Īlejo said boxing is one of the most popular sports in the Latino community, so the event was a thrill for the residents. The Pajaro event was organized by Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo, who said one of the promoters reached out about supporting Pajaro. Boxers Jose Ramirez, left, and Ruben Villa talk during a visit to the Village Trailer Park in Pajaro. Steven Butler fight, which will be streamed on ESPN+. Villa’s match will be on the same bill as the headlining Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. The two boxers mingled with residents, auctioned off household items and gift cards and even provided tickets to Villa’s May 13 undercard match against an opponent to be determined at the Stockton Arena. They were there to uplift the spirits of residents and raise funds in the aftermath of the March 11 Pajaro River levee breech that flooded the community and led to the displacement of many residents. However, Ramirez and Villa were not at the park to square off. National Golden Gloves champion who has experienced only one loss out of 20 matches in his seven-year career. In the other corner: Ruben Villa, a two-time U.S. In one corner: Jose Ramirez, a former unified light welterweight champion who represented the U.S. PAJARO - Residents at Village Trailer Park in Pajaro experienced a bit of joy in the wake of all that has happened in the past month as they got to witness a meeting between two world-class boxers.
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