‘INSPIRE LOVE’ – San Benitians encourage compassion through photos

(Courtesy photo)

By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com

(Courtesy photo)

In response to a column encouraging the public to show their affectionate side, a small but thoughtful group of citizens submitted photographs to the San Benito News depicting displays of emotion and togetherness.

The column in question, penned by this writer and published in the November 25 edition of the News, recalled personal experiences involving the Black Friday shopping frenzy in San Benito that escalated to shoving among shoppers – of whom at least one was a child pushed away by a woman to gain better positioning near a sale bin – as well as the political turmoil and infighting currently ongoing within the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees.

Responding to a lighthearted call to “put a little love” in the heart of the city, as a result of the aforementioned happenings and more, were Melanie A. Peralez and her daughter Chloe, Greg and Crystal Hernandez, and local educator Stacey Lee Gonzalez and her students.

“Dear Editor, I have enjoyed reading you last couple of columns on love and the lack of it at times,” Melanie A. Peralez wrote in an email. “I’m sending you this picture of my daughter Chloe and I at the resaca trail. In my eyes there is nothing more pure than the love of a child. I can always count on her love after the darkest of days. Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family.”

Referring to her students’ volunteer service to the San Benito Food Pantry, Gonzalez submitted the following via Facebook: “Great column. These might not be photos of me showing affection towards my loved ones, but I think my students did an excellent job of showing compassion towards other this Thanksgiving break at the San Benito Food Pantry. Not to mention, they also loved the pastries the ladies at the pantry kept feeding them.”

The pictures submitted also show Greg and Crystal Hernandez sharing a kiss at a bonfire.

Melanie A. Peralez said she hoped the pictures “inspire love” in the community.

Read this story in the Dec. 26 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.