LEXINGTON, Neb. (KOLN) – At the Lexington Field House, spectators cheer on athletes who give it their all on the soccer discipline. This is the place many community members got here collectively on their first Saturday after their city suffered a heavy loss.
Days earlier than the video games, Tyson Foods closed the meat plant in Lexington on Jan. 20. This resolution will result in about 3,200 individuals shedding their jobs.
“I really hope with the whole Tyson closure thing, I really hope it doesn’t really affect the clubs and everything,” mentioned Katie Caballero, who grew up enjoying on the Field House. “I really hope my son gets to see this town where I grew up.”
Yolanda Escobar mentioned that about 25 males’s groups and 5 ladies’s groups compete on the Field House year-round.
“So my husband has been in charge of the league for almost 20 years,” Escobar mentioned. “So yeah, so I come every weekend to see the games, and I love to see all the people from my community come to cheer each team.”
Tyson even sponsored many actions on the Field House over time.
“We’ve been playing since we were kids, maybe like five or six. It’s been a while,” mentioned Cesar Munoz, a participant for Lex United.
“The whole community is like a family that everyone comes and supports and is always there for us,” mentioned Adan Lima, a participant for Lex United.
For many athletes who grew up on the venue, the video games present normalcy amid uncertainty.
“And I see a lot of (the Tyson workers). They don’t want to leave. They say this is our town. It’s our community,” mentioned Yolanda Escobar, spouse of the league director. “I see some families, they leave already to Kansas, Omaha and Sioux City.”
On the identical night because the soccer video games, different community members sought out solace in a special manner at St. Ann’s Catholic Church. In the sanctuary, parishioners pray and light-weight candles for the city of Lexington.
When the information of Tyson’s closure broke final November, Cesar Sanchez, non secular schooling director, mentioned individuals turned towards their faith.
St. Ann’s parish held a 24-hour prayer service to supply consolation to the community, with the bishop of the Grand Island Diocese in attendance.
“A lot of people didn’t know how to react,” mentioned Sanchez, non secular schooling director. “It was like a dream.”
Eleida Faudoa-Albidrez is amongst many parishioners who kneel in the pews. She labored at Tyson for 10 years and recollects the day of the announcement.
“When I picked up my son, (I got) off work (to) meet at the school, and he started crying,” Faudoa-Albidrez mentioned. “But I told him, ‘I’m not by myself. God is with us.’”
Sanchez mentioned their parish is utilizing donations from the community and from out of state to assist with prices like meals.
“Sometimes we can help (Tyson workers) with gas vouchers, especially right now that they have to go look for another job,” Sanchez mentioned.
Sanchez mentioned the outpouring of individuals’s generosity has allowed the church to extend the gasoline voucher quantity to $30.
Luckily, Faudoa-Albidrez discovered a job in Kearney. She plans to make the 40-minute commute, so her son can maintain going to Lexington’s college.
“I also have my house,” Faudoa-Albidrez mentioned. “I can’t sell it. I don’t think anybody would buy it.”
She thanks God for opening a door to a brand new alternative, however on the similar time, worries about her neighbor.
“I’m feeling bad because a lot of people, they don’t drive or they don’t speak English, or they don’t read,” Faudoa-Albidrez mentioned. “They don’t know where they need to find another job.”
Despite this uncertainty, Sanchez mentioned many are praying for a miracle for the city of Lexington. Many exterior of the sanctuary are hoping for a similar factor.
“And we believe something will happen here. So we’re still praying and still together like the family we are,” Escobar mentioned.
While former Tyson workers search out different alternatives, the Lexington Community Foundation is working with local organizations and agencies to assist with hire, meals, well being care and utility help. Click here if you want to assist with this trigger by donating.
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