Fiesta Draws 250 Guests & $53,000+ for Hispanic Resource Center

by Harold Wolfson

(October 12, 2003) As of Sunday, October 12 the LarchmontlMamaroneck Hispanic Resource Center estimated it had raised $53,885 from its gala Fiesta Winetasting held Thursday, October 9th at the Orienta Beach Club.

Resource Center Treasurer Emilia Pedraza said, "This figure does not include all of the funds committed but not yet collected from the event's extensive and popular silent auction." She added that it will take at least an additional week to pin those numbers down.

She also said that 250 guests attended the winetasting event put on by the four- year old agency whose mission is to help area immigrants from all countries fit into the American mainstream efficiently and humanely.

Melina Vourlekis, co-chairman of the event, said: "I am thrilled with the generous financial response of the community." Her co-chairman Mariana Lvoff said: "These funds will help many lives and, in turn, the people helped will enrich our lives as well."

County legislators Jose I. Alvarado (l) and George Latimer (third from l) are the first recipients of the Amigo Awards. Congratulations come from Resource Center Founder Martha Lopez and Executive Director Harold Lasso.

As part of a brief mid-Fiesta ceremony Beatriz Serrano, president of the Hispanic Resource Center, presented its first Amigo awards to George Latimer and Jose I. Alvarado, both members of the Westchester Board of Legislators. The awards credited both legislators with outstanding commitments to justice and with improving the "quality of life of all those in need, including the immigrant communities."

Mr. Latimer, a native of Westchester, and great grandson of immigrants, represents Mamaroneck Town and Village, Larchmont, Rye City and part of New Rochelle. He has been credited with being a leader in a variety of steps that have improved the lives of the less affluent, including a recent initiative to raise the minimum wage of workers employed by the county.

Mr. Alvarado, who represents the southwest portion of Yonkers, is an immigrant from Honduras and the first Hispanic to serve as a County Legislator. His interest in the poor and disenfranchised springs directly from his personal experience. He came to the U.S. 20 years ago with little formal education and virtually no English. While holding a series of menial jobs to support his mother and five siblings, he earned a high school equivalency degree, graduated from Mercy College with a degree in accounting and earned a Master's degree in public health from Pace University.

State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (center) enjoyed the fiesta.with Board member Rev. Javier Viera and President Beatriz Serrano (l) and board member Elaine Chapnick ant Rev. Bill Crawford (r).

The social centerpiece of the evening was a winetasting led by Jorge Rueda, director of wines at the Sound Shore Liquor Pantry in Mamaroneck. He guided guests through a variety of cabemets, malbecs, merlots, syrahs, chardonnays, chenin blancs, sauvignon blancs, albarinos, cavas and others. Also the Orienta Beach Club provided a buffet of varied regional Latino foods.

Guests swayed and some danced to lively music of the Ensalada De Pulpo band. Others were intrigued by an exhibit of evocative photos of local day laborers by Mariella Briceno-Rosenfeldt. Still others bid at a silent auction for a week's vacation in St. Martins, dinners at private homes in the area, assorted paintings and other art work, clothing, autographed celebrity objects and various services, including sailing and language lessons, home decorating and even consultation on taxes and estate planning.

Harold Lasso, Executive Director of the Hispanic Resource Center, said the funds raised will be used for vocational and English language training, and assistance in such areas as housing, health, residents' rights and obligations, general education and immigration issues.

The Hispanic Resource Center is located at 200 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck. Telephone is 835-1512

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