Our journey began at 6:15 a.m. in the still dark morning at Pan Pacific Park. Four members of the Buckley School Swish Wish Club, Tom, Marcus, Jake, and Max set off on our mission with hearts full of excitement. We were eager to finally meet the children we had only seen in photos and to bring smiles, sports, and joy to their community.

After a long 5 hour drive to the border and beyond, we arrived at a small village in Ensenada, Mexico. Before reaching our main destination, we made a stop at a smaller home called Casa de Gozo, where about 40 children welcomed us with open arms. We handed out goodie bags, joined an origami class, and shared laughter during a fun piñata session. It was a warm, joyful celebration, and saying goodbye was not easy.

Next, we traveled to Casa de Gracia, a much larger facility with a big dirt playground. The moment we arrived, the atmosphere turned into one big, happy party. We played basketball with the kids while, on the other side of the field, the older kids worked together to set up the soccer goal posts we brought. Nearby, others played badminton, and the little ones sat in groups creating beautiful heart shaped gift boxes from colorful origami paper.

We gifted a basketball hoop and donated 30 brand new basketballs. We brought 100 goodie bags, and the kids absolutely loved them. We also donated gently used sporting equipment, generously provided by the Buckley community. The impact was immediate and unforgettable.

A huge thank you to the Buckley community for your continued support. Your generosity made all of this possible. And to our incredible Swish Wish teammates, Tom, Marcus, Jake and Max. Your dedication and big hearts gave these kids memories they will never forget.

This is just the beginning of our Swish Wish journey. Stay tuned, there’s so much more to come!