FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A Fresno State football player, who has been spending his free time giving back to the community, invited his teammates to do the same during the team’s bye week.
For the children of the Pinedale neighborhood in Fresno, the Boys & Girls Club is a refuge from gang violence.
“In Pinedale, what you see is a lot of kids who maybe feel like they can’t go anywhere, that they’re going to be stuck in this neighborhood forever, or that they can’t really do anything with their lives,” said Stevie Santos, Unit Director of the Pinedale Boys and Girls Club.
Merhauti “Sunny” Xepera had been volunteering there for two years. Xepera leads the Bulldog football team in tackles for loss, but there was one place that led him when he was lost.
“[Growing up], I was making really bad decisions,” Xepera said. “I just had no guidance, and I always felt like the Boys and Girls Club was a nice, safe space.”
So, Sunny got 10 of his Fresno State teammates to join him in spending a free Wednesday afternoon at the Pinedale Boys & Girls Club.
“With the support of Coach [Matt] Entz, our platform and influence are not just to build up our names,” said senior Jordan Brown. “We should use it for good.”
Whether it was gaming out with the kids after school, or sharing life lessons, these Fresno State football players were there for the children who needed it most.
Santos agreed: “To see local Fresno heroes they look up to come to their club and say, ‘Hey, I was like you. You can be like me.’ … That makes a huge impact. It’s something they might not otherwise be able to experience.”
If these players are considered heroes, then they wear their cape across their chest.
“This jersey has a big influence,” said junior Brandon Ramirez. “We have to use our platform to reach out to the community, because they pour out support for us, so we have to give back when we can.”