San Benito Quarterback Club helping Operation Noel families by Passing The Spirit
‘I think this is going to be the best Christmas we've had’

By EDWINA P. GARZA/VALLEY MORNING STAR
December 17, 2008 - 11:14 PM

SAN BENITO —Jerry and Albert De La Rosa quietly walked into the San Benito Sports Complex and were welcomed by the brotherhood they hope to join as future Greyhound football players.

The boys, with their sisters Linda and Crystal and grandmother Felicita Rivas, were given a number of gifts on Wednesday by the San Benito Quarterback Club and athletes.

"The boys collected gifts for your family to make your Christmas better," club member Sonia De La Cruz told Rivas.

The family was recently featured in the Valley Morning Star's Operation Noel series. Felicita and Juan Rivas are raising their five grandchildren after their daughter - the children's mother - was stabbed to death in August.

Rivas, crying at the charity from her community, was embraced by each of the football players.
"I'm very happy," she said. "What else can I say?"

Fourteen-year-old Linda beamed at the sight of the gifts from people she'd never met.

"I think this is going to be the best Christmas we've had," Linda said. "We're real happy."

Naturally, the children were given a football, which they immediately used with Crystal and other football players.

"That's what they wanted, so they could play," Rivas said.

Along with toys, the family was also given clothing.

"This is my Christmas," De La Cruz said. "Helping this family is worth it."

Club member Nora Carney said her co-workers at the Cameron County Irrigation District also provided the family with a turkey and all the fixings.

The Quarterback Club also donated a number of gifts for Toys for Tots -a project of the U.S. Marine Corps - which is currently short by nearly 10,000 gifts for local children.

"It's a good feeling when you can help a family," Coach Mario Peña said. "This is giving in the purest form."

Article taken from Valley Morning Star on 12/08