Alejandra Espinoza doesn't just dip her toes in the water. She dives in headfirst. That's her mantra, coming straight from the superstar herself—a Mexican presenter, model, actress, and producer—during an exclusive chat with the Latin Times.
When it's about her folks or the Latino community, she's all in. "No questions asked. I am there," she said. That's exactly the vibe we got spending time with her and the legendary Don Francisco at the TeletónUSA CRIT in San Antonio, Texas.
Espinoza and Mario Kreutzberger, Don Francisco's real name, were on-site, busy filming segments for the much-anticipated 2023 TeletónUSA, an iconic fundraising event set to captivate audiences for 17 straight hours this Saturday, December 16, on TelevisaUnivision.
This year, Espinoza will lead the broadcast, supported by prominent figures like Don Francisco. Joining her are renowned presenters Borja Voces, Rafa Araneda, Alan Tacher, Karla Martínez, and Carlos Ponce, among others. This key role was previously held by Mexican presenter Galilea Montijo, who is unavailable this year due to overlapping commitments with Teletón México's fundraising event, also scheduled for Saturday."
Alejandra Espinoza's childhood mission
"This year I have more responsibility because I'm hosting, but its a more challenging version of the same role I've always had: helping and doing my part with what I can and with the gifts God has blessed me with. I believe that's the most beautiful way to thank Him, right? For everything He has done in my life, and my role is to support, to contribute," said Espinoza.
"Whether I'm here answering phones or arranging chairs, the important thing, I believe, is being part of something that changes lives, like Teletón. I can attest, I am a witness to how it changes lives. When I was little and saw Teletón on the TV, and we contributed, supported, and sent our little bit of money, you really do it with the belief that your donation goes to what you're giving it to," Espinoza added, remembering her childhood in Tijuana.
"Now that I have been coming to the CRIT, I can see the rehabilitation of the children. The progress they make and the gratitude of the parents—that's when you realize that what you've done over the years has been worth every cent and every hour dedicated to helping," she added. "So I have a very grateful heart because I feel part of Teletón, and I think we need to call on corporations, especially those led by Latinos. They come to the CRIT, even if it´s for just an hour or two, and let it change their hearts and support us. Because if all of us living a normal life, more or less, with more or less to give, can contribute, just imagine what large companies could do. It would be truly fabulous."
The TeletónUSA Foundation
The TeletonUSA Foundation is a non-profit organization based in San Antonio, Texas, which raises funds to build and support the Children's Rehabilitation Institute TeletonUSA (CRIT), providing care to children with neurological, muscular, and skeletal disabilities.
"Our mission is to do fundraising and raise awareness to create a more inclusive world for children with disabilities," explained to the Latin Times CRIT director Federica "Fica" Soriano. The main fundraising opportunity is the TeletonUSA Event, which is broadcast every year on Televisa Univision.
Each year, Univision sports purple and yellow colors and its TV stars join a televised broadcast to raise funds for the CRIT, which has helped 1,800 families since it opened it's doors 11 years ago.
Fundraising efforts
The list of artists that will take part in the fundraising effort this year includes big names such as Ana Bárbara, Guaynaa, Christian Nodal, and Eslabón Armado, as well as the cast of TelevisaUnivision shows in Miami and Los Angeles.
Other artists like Danna Paola, Chiquis, Kenia OS, Omar Chaparro and more have donated objects of theirs to be auctioned.
Espinoza has been part of the event year after year since 2007, when she became the first winner of Univision reality "Nuestra Belleza Latina."
"The first time I was here at the CRIT I remember walking through the door, and I was like Mary Magdalene, just crying and crying and crying. As the hours went by, I got stronger. You start to realize that you cry because it is sad to see the families and the children, but they are the ones that give you a different kind of strength, making you feel good about being here and about doing something to help. After all these years, I feel at home here," Espinoza reflected.
So she is urging everybody to help: "I believe Teletón changes more than children's lives and their families. It all changes us. Today, I am a different person than when I came in this morning. The children and their families help us to be stronger; they help us to be more empathetic and to put our own lives in perspective."
The broadcast on Saturday December 16th, stars at 10A/9C/7PAC on Univision. You can donate here.
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