Mater Dei’s “Monarchs For Marines” program that began during the 2007-08 school year is growing. The program has raised $250,000 that benefits Marines and their families, many of whom encounter hardships of one sort another through no fault of their own.

Mission Viejo football has made itself a partner of the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. Diablos coaches, players and families provided much of the support personnel for a PCRF 5K fundraiser during the summer, and that is just the beginning of the relationship.

A bonus to this, as Coach Bob Johnson said: “This has helped make the kids and all of us coaches more aware of how fortunate we are.”

Les Barkley, father of Matt the quarterback and one of the leaders of Monarchs for Marines, said it was hoped that the program would inspire more county athletic teams to get involved in community projects.

We’ll have more on these programs as the season gets going.

– Steve Fryer

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