Santa Ana : Angel Delivers Heavy Hit for Blind Children

The group of about a dozen people at the Blind Children’s Learning Center anxiously awaited the arrival of Rick Burleson, the California Angels shortstop.

Burleson was a few minutes late Friday morning, and everyone knew he was bringing a check for the center. But if anyone knew the exact amount, it was a well-kept secret.

The money had been raised by Amigos de los Ninos (“the children’s friends”), a group of successful businessmen and professionals, in the fourth annual Rick Burleson Celebrity Golf Tournament last month.

The Amigos, about 200 men from several western states, donate money to organizations that help children. The Blind Children’s Learning Center has become one of their favorites: about 15 months ago they contributed $10,000 to the North Broadway school.

Besides the 27 enrolled children, all of whom are no older than 5, the center’s instructors visit eight other blind children at home. Also in the works is an outreach program geared toward children with serious vision problems in local grade schools.

When Burleson arrived, he let the excitement build a little by stopping to play with a few of the children. A few of the Amigos--obviously in the know--sat around sipping coffee and chuckling, while everyone else waited.

Finally, Burleson huddled with fellow Amigos Skeeter Holt, Fred Eggleston and Manny Solana, and Ronnie Passolt, the center’s executive director. Pulling an envelope from his jacket pocket, he handed it to Passolt.

“Oh, my God,” she cried. “I’m gonna cry. You guys are fantastic!”

Inside was a check for $50,000.