Spotlight: Gabriel Silva

Gabriel Silva, a VSO Network Engineering Specialist from Camarillo, Calif., has been "Coach Dad," to both of his sons' little league teams for the past six years. Gabriel prides himself not only in teaching his boys the skills and discipline needed to play the game, but also in teaching them what it means to give back to the community. Ron Klein, Gabriel's supervisor says, "His winning spirit really makes a difference on the job and in the field".

Gabriel first got involved when he signed up his son for T-Ball in 2003, and he hasn't looked back since. "I enjoyed teaching the kids and as the season wore on I found myself spending more and more time at the fields not only practicing but raking leaves, picking up trash, getting the fields ready for games, etc. and the rest as they say is history. The next year I also signed up my younger son to play and my family and I have been volunteers ever since."

While volunteering can be a lot of work the positives far outweigh the negatives for Gabriel, " It is wonderful to watch the development of the children not only as athletes but as people and it is especially rewarding when you run into children you have coached at the market, mall, etc. and they come over to say hello. In addition, my family and I have developed many friendships with our fellow volunteers."

The Granada Hills Little League is a completely non-profit, volunteer run organization. GHLL is committed to serving the youth of the community by providing a fun and safe environment to play baseball and softball regardless of economic status.