Local boxing star hosts Newtown vigil
A cross of candles marked the entry way to the Coachella Valley Boxing Club, and local boxing star Randy Caballero stood proudly before his supporters.
“December 14th, 2012 was not only a very sad day for the families who lost their loved ones in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary. It hit not only myself, but a lot of people around the world, and families in this Coachella Valley,” Caballero said.
Caballero hosted a vigil for the lives lost at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting a few weeks ago.
“It hit me, knowing I am a family person. I know I would be devastated if I lost them, so I just thought that it would be good to get this Coachella Valley to give back to them,” Caballero said.
People from all over the valley, and boxers from other parts of California, gathered to show their support. Caballero led the young boxers in a jog around the park before he thanked the community that has always been there for him.
“I wanted to put this together and bring the valley together, because I know when we have the valley together to support one another, we can make anything possible,” Caballero said.
The loss of young lives hits home for Caballero personally, as he is about to welcome his first child in a little over a month.
“I’m about to expect a little girl. She’s not born yet and I love her to death. If I was to lose her, I would be devastated,” he said.
“We’ll never be able to have the words, we’ll never give enough money, or sell enough product to bring those people back, but just to let them know that here in a small valley there are people who still care,” Coachella Valley Boxing Club coach Jacob Najar said.
A special person surprised Caballero – his kindergarten teacher.
“It struck my heart, being a kindergarten teacher. Our room were right close to the street,” Vera Brock said.
Many years after teaching him — she looks at her student with pride.
“I am so proud. I follow, I have a scrap book I made of the family, they’re a hard working family,” Brock said.
After a prayer and a moment of silence, the Caballero family lit the candles, and prayed for the angels now in heaven.
