[Corrected]: Estancia football fundraiser is Monday

COSTA MESA — The Daily Pilot, Avila’s El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant and the Estancia High School football program are partnering again this year for a team fundraiser.

Twenty-five percent of food sales from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday at El Ranchito, 2101 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa, will benefit Estancia.

The football program borrowed $10,000 last year for new uniforms and, with the help of the boosters, has been slowly paying down the debt with various fundraisers.

The newspaper, the team and boosters gathered for a similar fundraiser in November 2010.

“There are few things more beloved in Newport-Mesa than our high school and youth sports programs,” Pilot Editor John Canalis said. But these programs, particularly football, are expensive to run and must rely on the community’s support to be successful. Estancia, thanks to talent on the field and committed families, proved that point this year by winning a league title.”

In addition, the Pilot plans to approach Costa Mesa High School about an appropriate fundraiser for one of its athletic programs, Canalis added.

Canalis, Pilot Sports Editor Steve Virgen and other members of the staff plan to attend the Estancia fundraiser, which is free and open to the public.

— Staff reports

Twitter: @TheDailyPilot