If you’ve ever wanted to do yoga with River Cats mascot Dinger, now’s your chance.
Casa de Español — an organization that offers Spanish classes and cultural events — will host a Los Angeles fire relief fundraiser Saturday. All proceeds will go to American Red Cross relief efforts.
A flyer for Casa de Español’s Saturday Los Angeles Fire Relief Fundraiser.(Courtesy)
The 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. event will feature several classes including morning yoga, jewelry-making and more. Those interested in attending classes can sign up on the organization’s website. As of the time of publishing, all classes except pupusa-making still have openings.
Maria Harrington, the organization's director, said she created the event to provide a space for the community to gather and have a good time while also helping fire victims and people who have been displaced.
“This is a perfect opportunity for us to give back and be that space,” she said. “We’re going to have an outdoor market as well so people can come, whether they want to be part of one of the classes or just come and hang out in solidarity. Everyone’s welcome.”
The event was created in partnership with several organizations including the Sacramento River Cats. Ashley Magdaleno is their marketing and community coordinator.
“I moved here three years ago from Southern California, so this fundraiser means a lot to me,” she said. “To know that [Harrington’s] doing something to help my home down south is absolutely beautiful. To know that I can somehow tie the River Cats — I’m excited for that.”
Magdaleno explained that some of her friends lost their homes in the fires and her family was at one point evacuated from their home.
“It just absolutely hurts seeing everything that they worked for go down in fire,” she said. “Even though my family was evacuated and are back in their home, they’re still in the red zone. California’s weather with the winds and fire down south, you just are waiting day by day.”
Lawmakers announced Thursday they will introduce bills to, among other things, fast-track development for accessory dwelling units so displaced individuals can live on their property while they rebuild, and to extend times at hotels and motels for displaced families.
Magdaleno explained that this collaboration makes sense because the River Cats and Casa de Español work closely through their Los Dorados de Sacramento partnership, which sees the baseball team change its name to honor its diverse fan base.
She said the team converts to Los Dorados four Thursdays a year. As of now, the only confirmed date to catch one of these games is May 1.
The River Cats will donate a suite of 20 tickets and four parking passes that one person can win through a raffle. Other prizes include a signed Logan Webb bobblehead, tickets, hats, jerseys and more.
“We’ll also have Dinger out there helping out as much as he can,” she added. “ I know he loves to do yoga and being the center of attention, so come out there and do yoga and make pupusas with Dinger.”
Magdaleno also applauded Christian Tonatiuh González Jiménez, Consul General of México in Sacramento, for helping organize Mexican firefighter assistance to combat the wildfires in Los Angeles.
“I think this is beautiful, what Sacramento is doing to help down south,” she added.
Other sponsors for the event include Leah Gallegos, one of the founders of People’s Yoga; agave spirits expert Drew Garrison; Azules Design Studio; and Clarissa Laguardia with Laguardia Translations.
Harrington noted that same-day sign-ups will be available but encouraged people to sign up before tickets sell out.
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