Alicia: Help Empower our Youth

From Sponsored to Serving: Help Me Give Kids the Same Chance I Had

I’m not just supporting the 746 Sports Foundation, I am a direct result of it.

I was the kid who needed a sponsor.

I grew up in Shafter in a low-income household with seven kids, supported by my dad’s single income. Opportunities like youth sports weren’t always within reach for our family.

But in 5th grade, everything changed.

An anonymous donor sponsored me to play softball through the Shafter Recreation program. That one act of generosity gave me an opportunity I may have never had otherwise.

It sparked something in me, and in my family.

My dad saw how much we loved sports and how much potential we had. From that moment on, he worked even harder and made countless sacrifices to keep us involved. What started as one opportunity became a lifestyle.

Sports became more than just a game, they became my foundation.

They helped shape me into the athlete I became in high school and gave me the strength, discipline, endurance, and mental resilience that later led me to serve as a United States Marine.

Without that one sponsor, my life could have looked very different.

Today, I serve as a board member for the 746 Sports Foundation, and this mission is deeply personal to me.

Because I was that kid.

The one who just needed a chance.

Now, I’m committed to making sure more kids in our community get that same opportunity.

Your support helps provide scholarships, equipment, uniforms, and access to programs for kids who might not otherwise be able to participate.

You’re not just donating to sports, you’re investing in confidence, discipline, and a child’s future.

I will never know who sponsored me, but I carry their impact with me every single day.

Now, I hope to pay that forward.

If you’re able, please consider donating or sharing this page. Every dollar helps create opportunities for kids in our community.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one chance to change a life.