- April 22, 2024
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Jose Carballo was born in Puerto Rico and lived there until he was 17 when he moved to Daytona Beach for a baseball scholarship at Bethune Cookman University. Photo by Paige Wilson
Jose Carballo smiles as he adds money from a friend to the donation jar. Photo by Paige Wilson
Miles Shine swings at the approaching baseball. Photo by Paige Wilson
A donation jar sits at the front of JC's House of Prospects during the fundraiser. Photo by Paige Wilson
Charles Alfano swings at the approaching baseball during the fundraiser. Photo by Paige Wilson
Jose Carballo has a baseball tattoo on his wrist, as it's his passion. Photo by Paige Wilson
Julie Kelley prepares for a practice swing. Photo by Paige Wilson
Gunner Dixon walks out of the practice area after taking a hit at some baseballs. Photo by Paige Wilson
When Ormond Beach resident Jose Carballo was 17, he moved from Puerto Rico by himself to play on a baseball scholarship at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach. It’s been five years since he made the move, which left behind his entire family and over 100 friends in Puerto Rico, but now he’s giving back in their time of need.
After Hurricane Maria hit his home as a category 4 on Sept. 20, leaving it ravaged and completely without power, Carballo had to endure three days of silence until he finally heard back from his family.
All of his friends and family were physically safe, and his childhood home was not damaged. However, he said he knows some who lost their houses, and the crisis continues as supplies are running out.
“I wanted to fly there, but my dad wouldn’t let me — you know, being a dad,” Carballo, 23, said. “He said, ‘You can’t come, I don’t want you to come.’ But I feel like I need to help.”
Carballo hosted a fundraising event on Friday, Sept. 29 at his baseball coaching venue, JC’s House of Prospects, located at 1230 N. US Highway 1, Ormond Beach, to support Puerto Rico.
“I thought to myself, ‘I have to do something to help those in need,’” he said. “Not only my family, but just Puerto Rico itself.”
After seeing celebrities and baseball players donate money to the hurricane victims, Carballo brainstormed a way to help.
“I can use this facility and gain something and actually help the community in Ormond,” he said. “There are a lot of baseball kids that want to get better, so I’m trying to get them to come here so I can teach them the right way. So, I thought, ‘Why not?’”
Local youth, former coaches of Carballo’s from Bethune Cookman and other community members gathered at the “Hitting for a Cause” event to donate in support of Carballo’s mission to raise $3,000 to send to Puerto Rico.
Close to $600 has been raised so far on the GoFundMe account Carballo set up.
“Anything will make a difference,” he said.
