Hearing from Linda Del Rio
We recently asked Linda Del Rio about the ways faith and giving back influence her life. Here’s what she told us.
CWM: How did you hear about Mano Amiga schools?
Linda Del Rio: I met Father Daniel Hennessy, LC, and Father Mark Haydu, LC, over coffee in Rome while visiting my daughter, Aubrey, there. We started talking about the Raiders’ schedule. I said, “I really want to give back globally because the NFL hasn’t done that yet.” Father Daniel and Father Mark told me about Mano Amiga and how amazing these schools are. I was on board from that conversation on.
CWM: What role does faith play in your life?
LDR: It is the beginning, end, and middle of the night of my world. Faith is living wholeheartedly in knowing that 90% of what I do is up to God–I only control maybe 10%.
CWM: What inspires you to live generously?
LDR: God’s mercy, and the graces He gives, as well as the great opportunity to do many works, inspires me to say yes and give back, especially through the platform of sport.
CWM: Was there a defining moment or key experience that led you to give of yourself for the greater good?
LDR: As a young girl growing up in Southern Louisiana, I saw my parents help at the Newman Club at the local university each weekend. They were very involved in that ministry, and helped the college students connect, give back, and share their faith. At the time, I thought it was a very natural activity that all families did, but looking back I realize the effort and the many hours my parents spent involving me and my four siblings with the Newman Club, and all the generosity they shared with the students. I grew up in a lower middle class environment so now I realize there was great sacrifice and effort for my parents to show us an example of wholehearted living.
CWM: How does living generously impact the rest of your life?
LDR: I hope my children and future grandchildren see the works I am trying to accomplish and see worth and value in them.
CWM: Why should others give to philanthropic organizations (Catholic World Mission, Mano Amiga, and beyond)?
LDR: Giving back and making a difference is the value of your life. It is imperative to do.
CWM: How do you want your generosity to make a difference?
LDR: More than ever, it’s important that we all focus on working together globally. One of the major goals is to educate our youth, leaders, parents, guardians, and businesses that this is a priority in the goal of world peace and harmony. A few years ago, Pope Francis organized Sport at the Service of Humanity. This was a great opportunity for many organizations and consultants in sport to cooperate and work together in a global setting. It was a great way to share ideas. We realized that we all have the same issues and goals: to make the world a kinder, better, more generous place to live and work.
Thank you, Linda Del Rio and Jack Del Rio Foundation!
We are deeply grateful to Linda Del Rio and the Jack Del Rio Foundation for their generosity and support of Mano Amiga schools in Mexico. Enjoy the photos below from last year’s event at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City!
To learn more about the Jack Del Rio Foundation, visit www.jackdelriofoundation.org.
To learn more about Sport at the Service of Humanity, visit www.sportforhumanity.com.
To join this historic collaboration between the Jack Del Rio Foundation and Catholic World Mission, click the green button below to donate to the Mano Amiga Child Sponsorship Fund.
