Santa Ana : Swap Meet Profits Will Go to Aid Quake Victims

A Santa Ana resident said Friday that he will use profits from downtown swap meets for Mexican relief as part of Santa Ana’s efforts to assist earthquake victims. These include a city-sponsored “Baile Bajo de las Estrellas (Dance Under the Stars)” next week.

Jose Pena, who heads Pena Referral Service which provides food and services for low-income residents and senior citizens in Santa Ana, will organize mariachi concerts and collect donations on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The swap meets are held in the parking lot of Eddie West Field at Flower Street and Civic Center Drive, with today’s meet moved to Rancho Santiago College due to a football game.

Pena said he collected about $1,500 last week and hopes to get about $2,000 this weekend. He said he will visit various communities affected by the quake in late October or early November and attempt to provide for victims’ needs, including clothing, shelter and food.

The swap meet has provided space for the concerts and several merchants have donated cash and such items as sradios and a new bicycle. “Last week some guy donated a medal that we got $60 for,” Pena said.

The Baile Bajo de las Estrellas will be Oct. 4 at 4th and Ross streets, an area cleared for Centerpointe, a proposed office-hotel complex. Admission is $2 and proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross.

The event will start at 3 p.m. with entertainment interspersed by auctions of items donated by downtown merchants, followed by dancing from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Items for the auction are also being accepted and more information can be obtained by calling 838-4550.