Fun
for a Cause at Saint Anne |
By Jorge Casuso
September 25 -- Carnival
goers this weekend tossed coins, threw
balls, fired shots, screamed and ate
plenty of Mexican food, all in an
effort to help Saint Anne Catholic
Church try to raise $75,000 for its
ministries.
The money raised by the rides, concessions,
games and raffle will benefit the
church’s community efforts –
including its fledgling youth program,
an upcoming effort to offer legal
aid to area renters and what has become
Santa Monica’s largest volunteer
food program, said Father Mike Gutierrez,
the church pastor.
 |
| Carnival
rides helped Saint Anne Church
raise money. (Photos by Jorge
Casuso) |
“All the ministries are growing,”
Gutierrez said. “We have a very
multi-cultural approach and a strong
outreach.”
The 99-year-old church -- which boasts
1,500 families, many of them Latino
-- recently launched a soccer night
at the new Airport Park and welcomed
members of the eighth neighborhood
to relocate to the area from Oaxaca,
Mexico.
The cross cultural experience could
be literally tasted first hand at
the carnival – which took place
Friday, Saturday and Sunday –
as food from different regions of
Mexico was served up on the sprawling
church grounds.
 |
| Cook
serves up taste of Mexico. |
The youth group, which numbers some
50 members, offered baked deserts
to help raise money for its programs
-- which in addition to Monday night
soccer, includes a homework night
on Thursday. The youth also helps
the priest celebrate mass.
“I meet new people,”
said Virgilio Torres, 16, who is starting
his senior year at Santa Monica High
School. “It keeps people out
of the street.
“It’s one place I feel
safe,” said Torres, who went
straight home after school before
joining the youth group.
 |
| Youth
group members (from left) Becky
Garcia, Jessie Garcia, Jessica
Rodriguez and Virgilio Torres |
Police Chief Tim Jackman enjoyed
some homemade tacos and chatted with
carnival goers, many of them from
the Pico Neighborhood, where he has
stepped up neighborhood policing..
“This is neat,” Jackman
said. “There’s a lot of
people, very friendly. Father Mike
does a great job in the community,
and they’re coming out to show
their support.”
Santa Monica College Board Trustee
Nancy Greenstein used the occasion
to break her Rosh Hashanah fast with
a burger
“There’s much enthusiasm,
and I love to watch the youth go on
the rides,” said Greenstein,
a longtime tenant leader.
Greenstein praised the efforts of
Father Mike, who has headed the church
for eight years and will help celebrate
Saint Anne School’s 100 anniversary
this year.
“He’s much more involved
in the fabric of Santa Monica,”
Greenstein said. “They’re
working with the community to do as
much as they can. What they’re
doing is not in isolation.”
Saint Anne Church is still accepting
donations. Those interested in contributing
should call 310-829-4411.
|
