Christina's legacy lives on, even in the big leagues

CREATED Mar. 21, 2013

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  • Every seat in Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium is full, but it isn't just a love for sports bringing the masses in: It's the love from a community for one little girl, Christina-Taylor Green, and her living memory. Video by kgun9.com

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 Reporter: Simone Del Rosario

TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Every seat in Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium is full, but it isn't just a love for sports bringing the masses in: It's the love from a community for one little girl, Christina-Taylor Green, and her living memory.

“I think she's a wonderful person because I actually went to school with her,” childhood friend Jaylene Manuel said.  

“She's always hit hard to home when we've gone out to the things,” Julie Walton shared. “I think it's great that they're out here at the games getting everyone's attention and making the money to support her and her memory.”

Christina's father, John, said that for his family and everyone who lost a piece of themselves on January 8, they are able to get through it because of support from the community. And so they give back, raising money for athletics, the arts, and academics: All things Christina was so passionate about.

“This is how we're moving on. This is how we're trying to honor her hopes and dreams the best we can. We know she would be proud of it. We still have our tough days,” John Green said.

Her legacy lives on. Her family presented a $100,000 check at Thursday’s game to help build a new indoor youth sports complex for Southern Arizona. And John Greene revealed a special ritual he hasn't shared before. 

“We used to sing the national anthem together when I took her to school, so every game I go to - sometimes two or three a day - every time the national anthem is sung, that's my little time I spend with her.”