Monroe residents help throw a Christmas bash for children in Bridgeport’s East End

Joel Castillo, of Monroe, was on a mission to transport over 300 gifts to the S.W.A.G Community Center in Bridgeport to bring joy to 120 children this Christmas, but his Honda Pilot was stuffed. The fact that this was community effort saved him from making several trips for the party, held on Dec. 11.

“Jerry Peck, who coaches the Monroe Lions’ eighth grade team, volunteered with his truck, which is red like Santa’s sleigh,” Castillo, a Masuk Spanish teacher, said with a smile during an interview in his classroom last Monday.

The annual S.W.A.G (Students With Academic Growth Inc.) program event was organized by Castillo with assistance from Masuk students, University of Bridgeport softball players, Rhode Island Thunder softball players and coaches, and other volunteers.

On Dec. 11, Masuk students organized the gifts onstage and handed it all out to the children, and an arts and crafts section was staffed by eight UB softball players. Among the volunteers was Castillo’s daughter, Alyssa, who was a star player at Masuk and now plays for UB.

“Special thanks to Dawn Stearns,” Castillo said of UB’s coach.

Castillo coaches in the Rhode Island Thunder softball program. He said fellow coach, Pete Sinapi, told his team about the party and his players teamed up with Castillo’s students to make 170 cookie bags.

After the kids had their treats, they enjoyed a dance party. Castillo’s son, Jordan, served as deejay.

Drew Hall, an assistant softball coach in the Rhode Island Thunder program, volunteered to dress up as Santa and visit the children, along with Jen Olimpieri, a teacher at Middlebrook Elementary School in Trumbull, who went as Mrs. Claus.

Castillo said the 120 children, ranging from months old to age 14, are from families in Bridgeport’s East End, where he grew up.

The greatest gift

Castillo first became involved with the S.W.A.G Community Center Christmas party four years ago, when his childhood friend, Gary Nelson, who runs the center, approached him with the idea.

“I was afraid to take on this project, because I didn’t know I’d get the support to fulfill all of the kids’ wish lists,” Castillo recalled.

But Sofia Nwosu, a student member of the Spanish Club at Masuk, offered to help by reaching out to people she knew, and other student clubs at the high school also came forward.

Then Castillo thought of his colleagues through teaching and coaching youth sports, his friends and family.

The list of 50 children included their names, ages and wish lists. Castillo snapped his fingers, while recalling how quickly they completed the wish list. “I asked Gary for more kids,” he said.

This year, Castillo said he came to Masuk with a stack of sheets.

“I presented it to my students and my family — everybody who crosses my path,” he said. “Most say, ‘sure, I’m willing to help.’”

Julia Kinahan, a Masuk student, gave 10 sheets to her mother, Tina, who is a nurse, and she took it to Griffin Hospital so her colleagues could help out.

Castillo’s wife, Angie, took 10 sheets to Middlebrook Elementary School, where she is a teacher, and other family members also pitched in.

“If people don’t have time, they give me money to shop,” Castillo said. “It was wonderful to see everybody coming together. I didn’t realize I knew so many people.”

Four years ago, the Christmas party was held on Dec. 16, which is Castillo’s birthday.

“I realized how special it was to bring smiles,” he said. “The effort made me feel special. The greatest gift was to help others. I don’t see celebrating my birthday any other way than to give back.”

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