Photos by Elizabeth Aquino | Stage 7 Photography
San Fernando, CA – The Wild Horse Children’s Foundation, led by Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, Yasiel Puig, has announced its commitment to a partnership with the City of San Fernando to refurbish Pioneer Park and implement a community facility. Puig and Wild Horse Children’s Foundation Executive Director, Lisette Carnet, were joined by San Fernando Mayor Sylvia Ballin, Vice Mayor Antonio Lopez, City Councilmembers Robert C. Gonzales, and Jaime Soto, and the San Fernando Chamber of Commerce for the announcement.
“I’ve had this idea to create baseball fields for children and their families, not just to play sports but to get what they need like water, healthy snacks, and learn other things to improve their life,” said Puig. “I want to give the opportunity that I did not have in Cuba to other children because I believe they are the hope of the world and we have to dedicate time to them.”
The field and facility project is the first of its kind by the Wild Horse Children’s Foundation and includes a complete refurbishment of Pioneer Park located at 828 Harding Avenue, in San Fernando. An existing structure on site will be renovated into “Puig’s House,” which will include a kitchen to host cooking and nutrition workshops and provide free meals for local children and their families. The snack bar will promote healthy food and drinks. The playground will also be upgraded to adhere to safety and accessibility standards to ensure that the equipment is readily accessible and usable by children with disabilities.
“San Fernando is very excited to team up with Yasiel Puig and his Wild Horse Children's Foundation to provide sports, health and education programs and make much needed park improvements in our underserved community,” said Mayor Ballin. “I am humbled by his generosity and compassion to help our children. Mr. Puig's gift is a community grand slam!"
Volunteers from California State University at Northridge will lead programs for physical health and wellness, mental health counseling, and other programs designed to benefit children and encourage their families to live healthier, well-rounded lives. The facility will also provide educational resources for adults through programs for financial literacy, ESL, citizenship and life coaching.
Yasiel Puig has pledged $1,000 for every home run he hits through the remainder of this regular season to go towards this project. Fans can join him by making a pledge of their own for a chance to win exclusive prizes at https://pledgeit.org/wild-horse.
About the Wild Horse Children’s Foundation
Yasiel Puig's Wild Horse Children's Foundation aims to inspire children and families in underserved communities by promoting healthier and better quality lives through education, sports, community development, and health and wellness programs. The Wild Horse Children’s Foundation (Federal Tax ID: 81-4506011) is recognized by the IRS with federal tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3). Contributions to The Wild Horse Children’s Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information, please visit yasielpuig.co.
About the City of San Fernando
Incorporated in 1911 and nestled at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, San Fernando has a population of approximately 25,000, and is a diverse, family-oriented community of about 2.4 square miles. The City of San Fernando is a full-service General Law City with in-house Police, Public Works, Finance, Community Development, Recreation and Community Services, City Clerk and Administration departments. The City contracts for fire services with the City of Los Angeles and is governed by a five-member City Council who serves four-year terms, with a Mayor appointed every year, on a rotating basis, by a majority vote of the City Council.