Gonzalez Visits Earthquake Survivors In Chile

El Morro, Chile

by ATP Staff

13.03.2010

As he announced during Chile's first-round Davis Cup tie against Israel, Fernando Gonzalez visited the area declared a catastrophe zone after the massive earthquake on February 27 that killed hundreds of people.

Last Thursday Gonzalez was at the O'Higgins region that endured a 7.2 magnitude earthquake, visiting Santa Cruz, Lolol, Peralillo and Pichilemu. Ranked No. 10 on the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings, Gonzalez traveled with Benito Baranda, director of Hogar de Cristo, the most important charity organisation in Chile.

Watch Fernando's Appeal For Donations

During his visit, Gonzalez posted on Twitter: "The people are very strong even though they've lost everything, and they are optimistic. I wish every one of us would have this fighting spirit to get through this moment and move forward."

On Friday Gonzalez visited Biobio's region. Gonzo visited a fishing village called El Morro, near Talcahuano, the most important military port in Chile which was devastated by the both the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on February 27. The Olympic gold medalist played a tennis exhibition with kids of the area.

"Thank God and the experience of the people who live here that nobody died," said Gonzalez. "El Morro doesn't exist anymore but the people are happy, they want to move forward and my visit with Benito and Hogar de Cristo is for them to know they are not alone."

Talcahuano's mayor, Gaston Saavedra, thanked Gonzalez for his visit: "A national figure as Fernando Gonzalez helps people to clear their mind a little, especially the ones that have lost everything. The permanent alert because of the tremors and the tsunami alert frightened everyone. This is a contribution for the people so they can move on."

Click here to make a donation to Hogar de Cristo's earthquake appeal

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