BY JOSEPH SANTOLIQUITO – RingTV.com

Despite the warnings and social distancing mandates across the United States, many will still fire up their grills with family and friends, go to the beach, and ignore the parameters in place for the COVID-19 pandemic during the Memorial Day weekend holiday.

While others are enjoying themselves in the sun, Omar Juarez will be wearing a facemask and giving out bags of food and household items to those in dire need in his hometown of Brownsville, Texas, which is at the ultimate southern tip of the state.

The 20-year-old had a fight scheduled for May 9 in San Antonio, Texas. Like the rest of the world, the undefeated junior welterweight had to put his life and career on pause once the COVID-19 pandemic began sweeping the country.

Juarez, however, has vowed to make a difference in the COVID-19 society in which we live. And each weekend for the last two months—he has.

In March, once Juarez (7-0, 4 knockouts) saw on social media that family around him were struggling to eat, so he decided to do something. He gave away fruits, vegetables and toilet paper on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It’s happened and will continues to happen on every Friday and Saturday in April, May and June.

“My team and I got together and we decided we had to do something, especially after I saw my family struggling every day,” Juarez said. “I think my attitude comes from my parents. They raised me in a perfect way, always keeping in mind to help others, and remembering people who have helped me when I was nothing.

“Where I used to train there was only one heavybag. We used to spar in the streets. I didn’t start in a five-star gym. I started on my own, and I always thought that regardless of how far I get in my career, I’m always going to have the attitude to help out. When I saw people hurting, with everyone running out of stuff, I wanted to do something.”

Juarez is actually there in line, giving bags out to those that need help. He’s up at around 6 in the morning to gather the supplies at a staging area to bring them to the designated drop-off area at the Brownsville Library. Read More…