Pardo scholarship fund

Editor,

While a student at Granite Hills High School, A.J. Pardo was invited to be a part of the our parish summer softball team. Shortly after, he began attending the senior high youth ministry program at our parish on Wednesday nights.

After only two Wednesdays, A.J. expressed a desire to attend the summer youths conference with our youth in San Diego. With very little time to raise the necessary funds to attend he was quickly discouraged. With the help of our network of heroic families, the cost of his tuition was covered within 24 hours. A year after attending the conference AJ completed the RCIA program and became a very active member of the 7 p.m. liturgy staff as an altar server, an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and as an usher. After high school A.J. left for basic training and began his career serving our country in the United States Army. On July 8, 2012 A.J. and five others were killed by a 500 pound improvised explosive device.

Before leaving Porterville, A.J.’S mother used the earnings from his last check and started the Pfc. A.J. Pardo Memorial fund. She said he would have wanted to pay it forward by giving those in financial need the same transformative opportunities he received while with us.

On Feb. 13, we will be hosting our third annual Valentine’s Day Ball benefiting the A.J. Pardo Memorial Scholarship. Beginning with a no-host cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and dinner served promptly at 7 p.m. followed by an evening of dancing and entertainment. This event will be held at the Porterville Veteran’s Memorial Hall on Olive Avenue. All proceeds will benefit the Pfc. AJ Pardo scholarship fund.

Our program is open to all who come and does not only reach out to those of the Catholic faith. We would like to invite you and your company to consider being a partner in this wonderful event, by donating goods for our auction, sponsoring or purchasing a table, or to simply make a flat donation. We are truly grateful in advance for your generosity in monetary support and prayer.

Maurice Tenorio Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries, St. Anne’s Parish