Salinas, CA

As members of the Salinas Valley Samba soccer team, they share memories of a youth spent chasing soccer balls and eating home cooked meals. Now as role models speaking to the power of healthy lifestyle choices, these players have grown into fit and healthy young men with boundless energy. The "growth" they often witness when talking to area youths in this era of Nintendo and Super Ultimate Quadruple Bacon Cheeseburgers, is usually seen around the kids midsection.  

There is no denying that America is facing an obesity epidemic, mostly as a result of inactivity and poor eating decisions. The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Exercise and healthy foods compete against a  bombardment of advertisements espousing the joys of fast food and television. Little by little and school by school, Samba players are capturing the attentions of these kids, and literally showing them a healthier way. Be it on the performance stage at the Monterey County fair or at a Salinas area asthma camp, their message is getting through.

As Ismael Ibarra and Joel Sanchez (former Salinas All Americans, and current Samba players) juggle a soccer ball in the air using every possible part of their bodies, kids stare in amazement. These skills demonstrations not only elicit "oohs and ahhs" from the attentive audience, they serve as absolute visual reminders of what a healthy body is capable of. Kids ask "how do you do that" and "show me how to catch the ball on your head"  and then take their lessons home to wow their friends. 

In conjunction with local HELP and STEPS programs, Mills Family Farms, Mann Packing, Jamba Juice, Food 4 Less, and Salinas Toyota, the Samba are spreading their message of health  to these impressionable youth.

If your school, group, or event would like to schedule a demonstration to spread the message of healthy lifestyles, please contact the Samba at 831-657-0540. There is no charge for this community service

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