Rene Osuna, assistant manager of Nordstrom Rack in Oxnard, wipes off the large mirror. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Two volunteers get in a workout before the cleanup begins. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Brothers Brandon and Ben Blanton move some floor matting. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Eric Bertsch puts a shine on the gym's floor. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Kalani Bertsch cleans the dusty top of the punching bag rig. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Oxnard firefighter Jonathan Nichols prepares to do some landscaping. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Rene Osuna, assistant manager of Nordstrom Rack in Oxnard, wipes off the large mirror. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza, above photo, second from left, led the cleanup effort. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Volunteers from Nordstrom at the Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks gather for a group photo. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Eric Bertsch, left stops long enough for a photo with Fifth District Supervisor John Zaragoza. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
At the end of the day everyone gathered for a group photo. Volunteers with the United Way of Ventura County's Latino Action Team took on the challenge of cleaning up La Colonia Boxing Gym as part of the countywide "Day of Caring" held on Sept. 28, 2013. Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
Photos by Jess Gutierrez ©2013
New boxing ring, landscaping part of agency’s countywide effort
By Jess Gutierrez / Amigos805 contributor
More than 40 volunteers from throughout Ventura County painted, landscaped, cleaned and installed a new boxing ring at La Colonia Boxing Gym in Oxnard on Sept. 28. The Colonia gym was one of 27 community organizations helped during United Way’s “Day of Caring,” an annual event that connects hundreds of volunteers, individuals, families and groups to make a difference in the community. United Way’s Latino Action Team was spearheaded by Supervisor John Zaragoza, a United Way board of directors member. Zaragoza, a former Colonia resident, said he was very proud of giving back to the community, especially to La Colonia Boxing Gym, which has produced several professional world boxing champions: Roberto Garcia, Fernando Vargas, Victor Ortiz, Steven Luevano and Brian Viloria.
“As a longtime supporter of youth boxing, I want to give Colonia kids a place they can be proud of,” Zaragoza said. “We have to be good role models for kids and teach them about pride.”
He added that boxing, like most sports, teaches kids discipline and responsibility.
The Zaragoza Action Team, supervised by Zaragoza’s Administrative Assistant Bill Gallaher, included volunteers from Oxnard College Sociology Club, Nordstrom – Thousand Oaks Mall, and Oxnard Police and firefighters.
New grass replaced the old and dried out grassy backyard area. Zaragoza said the sod was donated by San Miguel Produce and that the City of Oxnard put in a new sprinkler system.
“I like boxing,” said volunteer Kalani Bertsch. “I like to see kids get involved in positive activities and see them attain goals.”
Kalani was joined by her father, Eric Bertsch, who spent hours on his knees cleaning and waxing the gym’s floor.
“Hard work makes you resilient,” Eric Bertsch said.
Zaragoza thanked all the workers and emphasized that Eric was the hardest worker.
Ana Avendano, member of the Sociology Club,
said she wanted to make a positive impact in her community.
“I like to help my community,” said Oxnard firefighter (Local 1684) Jonathan Nichols. “It’s a good way to get kids involved.”
David M. Smith, president & CEO United Way of Ventura County, was at the boxing gym and saw how hard the volunteers were working to help out the community.
