August 5, 2008
Passion For Racing Changes to Passion For God and Others
Signing autographs for the group of kids
Presentation showing racing video
Burbank, CA.- During the past couple months, a lot of positive change has been taking place in Ryan Regalado’s life. Personal experiences has strengthen his belief and love for God and his faith is now guiding him towards his purpose in life. For those of you who know Ryan, racing motorcycles was his biggest passion. The speed, the adrenaline, the sound of the bikes, all contributed to his love for motorcycle racing and he was good. Really good. Good enough to win championships his first three years of racing. But, there was something still missing. After years of struggling with understanding religion, faith and purpose, God decided to reveal himself in ways unique only to Ryan. Experiences Ryan couldn’t ignore which has lead to his belief in God and his purpose in life to help others in need.
Ryan passionately notes, "Understanding how God works more, who Jesus Christ is and how He's always been there for me, touching every part of my life, visibly seen in the close relationships I've had with people on and off the track, through all my destructive behavior as a rebellious teen to my achievements in school, career and racing...loving others and God is what life is all about, and there's a peace there in finally realizing it".
While going through the process of discovering his purpose in life, Ryan has been actively involved in organizations and church groups here in the Los Angeles area helping others in need and mentoring children. One of those organizations is Racers Who Care.
Ryan Regalado with Judy Strawn from Racers Who Care
Ryan Regalado with helpers from Hollywood Community Center
On July 31, 2008, Ryan Regalado gave a presentation to a group of children ranging from 5 – 16 years of age at the Hollywood Community Center as a spokesperson for Racers Who Care. It is an organization dedicated to mentoring children of all ages regardless of cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Racers from different areas of the motorsports industry including auto, motorcycle, trucks and boats volunteer their time to present and speak with children about Quick Tips on Winning in Life. Ryan’s creative presentation touched on skills and knowledge he attained through racing which has helped him achieve his goals in life and in racing. A creative powerpoint presentation and a team activity was used to help the kids have fun while learning about working with each other to achieve a goal. It was a great experience for Ryan to share his knowledge and to be able to reach out to the children in the community through something he enjoyed doing. "The kids are so great and I'm so thankful that Judy has crossed my path to allow me to give these presentations", Ryan adds. The smiles on the children’s faces and the good feeling he had inside continued to confirm his true purpose in life.
Q&A with the kids
Another project Ryan is involved in is the Do Something Saturday Project. It is a project ran by a new friend, Kengi. It is about empowering people to do something about the homelessness in Los Angeles by providing support directly to the people who need it, cutting out the hassles of filling out forms and the run-around of having to go from center to center just to get some aid. Kengi himself knows firsthand on what the homeless experience and provides a unique insight on the struggles, frustrations and fears they endure. View his personal blog and videos. Ryan states, "Kengi is such a great individual and new friend, his heart for others even through all the pain and suffering he is going through is amazing. I look to him for the strength in his faith and the proof of God in his love for others".
Do Something Saturday provides kits to homeless people in the surrounding Los Angeles area consisting of personal hygiene and grooming supplies, socks, bottled water and protein bars. By bringing awareness to the homelessness in Los Angeles, it will promote change and possibly more facilities and resources to assist the homeless and those that help in moving towards hope for the future. Ryan knows that it will spark change, he sees it everyday with everyone around him.
Kengi's Do Something Saturday kits
If you would like to learn more about Do Something Saturday or Racers Who Care, all are welcome for food, drinks and good times at Ryan’s going away party August 9th, 2008. Ryan will be leaving on August 28, 2008 to do God’s work, helping those less fortunate and in need in the Philippines.
Motorcycle racing will always be something Ryan will enjoy and be part of his life but his love for racing has changed to his love for others and most important for God.
To continue to learn more about how you can help the homeless in your community, visit resources below:
