Former Garfield athlete’s blanket drive initiative piques LAUSD interest

This past week I had the honor of working with Nancy Segoviano, a former Garfield athlete now community activist/philanthropist, on a video to further demonstrate Segoviano’s idea for a blanket drive.

Segoviano conceived this idea three years ago as she was faced with a man less fortunate than her. Such actions were an inspiration for her now growing blanket drive initiative. Segoviano was a softball player for Garfield High her freshman and sophomore years, then left the playing field to push for community engagement.

Segoviano approached me with the idea of creating a video that would help encourage students at Garfield to be much more compassionate for those less fortunate with the holidays right around the corner. Segoviano also works in conjunction with Global Studies, an academy at Garfield High School.

Jose Huerta, principal of Garfield High, enjoyed the video and believed a greater contribution could be made to the blanket drive. So much so that Huerta showed the student-produced film to LAUSD board members. Nancy Segoviano and I are scheduled to meet with LAUSD principals and board members on Dec. 17 to further illustrate the blanket drive initiative and develop future possibilities for this cause.

If you have any further questions or would like to be a part of this initiative, drop off locations for blankets will be at Garfield High School 5101 E. Sixth Street. Los Angeles 90022.

Blanket distributions will take place on Saturday at 7 a.m.. Volunteers are to meet at Garfield High. All are welcome. For further distribution location information or blanket drop off information feel free to contact Nancy Segoviano at nsegoviano12@gmail.com or the Garfield Assistant Principal at mcantu@lausd.net

We appreciate all your generosity and compassion this Christmas!

—Donnaldo Escobedo