As the Spring 2018 Little League season kicked off in the United States, so did many little leagues across the world.  This year, one area in particular needed some help: Puerto Rico.  Damage to the island from Hurricane Maria included the massive loss of equipment and facilities.

GPJ LA team members Tim O’Connor, Lester Sagastizado, Ann Fabiano and Tomas Toro prepare a shipment.

The Little League of Coamo in Puerto Rico has over 40 teams, with kids ranging in ages from 5 to 12.  While their league complex was not affected by the hurricane, they were bringing in kids from other surrounding leagues that were destroyed by the hurricane and were in need of helmets, bats, catcher’s gear, balls and even uniforms.

Client Services Director Ann Fabiano in the GPJ LA office had an idea. Her child’s Laguna Niguel Little League had required new equipment for the season, leaving them with a surplus of equipment still in good condition. She organized the team to donate the equipment, and GPJ handled the shipping costs.

SVP and GM John Capano heard about what Ann had done, and before too long, a second shipment was coordinated from the Ladera Ranch Little League, and was on its way from Los Angeles, again with GPJ covering the shipping costs. For both shipments, Sr. Project Manager Tim O’Connor coordinated, which was a feat unto itself.

The team in Coamo is ready to play ball!

Seeing a need and taking action, is what makes us GPJ. It’s people like Ann, John, Tim and the teammates that assisted them, that make us #GPJProud!