Countywide : Dinner to Raise Money for Teen Trip

By MARY ANNE PEREZ

May 2, 1992 12 AM PT

For the second year, Orange County Deputy Probation Counselor Luis R. Ruan plans to take teen-agers from some of the county’s toughest neighborhoods on a 10-day trek to Mt. Whitney.

A dinner to raise money for the trip is planned for Sunday.

The grueling climb will take the youths, who appear headed for lives of crime and destructive behavior, into the high Sierras where they will camp out in tents and carry their supplies and food. The trip is scheduled for June 3-13.

Ruan, 30, of Orange has started several programs in Juvenile Hall, including a track team and classes to motivate the young inmates.

Last year, he decided to take some youths, not all of whom have been in trouble with the law, on the grueling mountain climb.

The teen-agers were amazed and satisfied that they were able to conquer the mountain, he said.

“I want to do this because for a lot of these guys there’s a lack of resources,” said Ruan. “A lot of them have never been outside of their neighborhood. I want to use this trip as a teacher, as a metaphor for grand possibilities in life.”

Ruan, who said he fears the rioting may prevent some people from traveling from Los Angeles and San Diego for the dinner, hopes to raise $2,000 to take eight to 10 youths and a handful of adults on the trip. He is also looking for donations of camping and hiking equipment.

“These kids are very, very poor. They can’t afford boots or even tennis shoes to run, but they have a lot of heart,” he said, adding that he has been training with them for two months so they will be in good physical shape for the trip. “I just think this trip will benefit them and open up their eyes.”

A spaghetti dinner, cooked by Ruan’s mother, is planned for 5 p.m. Sunday at the Santa Ana Senior Center, 424 W. 3rd St., Santa Ana. Entertainment will include a performance by the Wild Horse Native American Drummers of Los Angeles.

Tickets are $10 and can be bought by calling Ruan at (714) 532-6399, Octavio Gonzalez at (714) 490-0722 or Mario Fuentes at (310) 533-5315.