LEOMINSTER — The incredible energy in the air and the smiles on people’s faces at the Spanish American Center’s 60th anniversary gala said everything about the beloved community organization that has aided so many through the years.
The event held on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel on Erdman Way was a celebration of the nonprofit’s steadfast outreach mission. It featured awards, live music, dancing and culture, all with a Latino flair. Cocktail hour with guitarist Gilberto Rivera was followed by a cultural spotlight that included Irene Hernández dancing to traditional music played by Grupo Fa’Unida in the style of bomba y plena and poetry read by Hernández and Amanda Prokowiew.
“Hispanic heritage is struggle and pride .. .and promise for tomorrow,” Hernández said, and a woman from Grupo Fa’Unida revealed that they have “been participating in cultural events” with the SAC for 30 years.
“It’s an honor to be here,” she said.
Georgie Rodriguez, the evening’s emcee, welcomed everyone to the special occasion and noted it was sold out with over 300 attendees. He talked about how he has been involved with SAC for 42 years and how its food pantry regularly serves over 500 people each month.
“This organization has been helping the community,” Rodriguez said, adding that it is “open to anyone who comes through that door.”
He thanked all the past and present SAC staff and volunteers, the heartbeat of the community organization, and disclosed that during the COVID-19 pandemic they kept the food pantry open to continue serving those in need. Rodriguez relayed that proceeds from the fundraiser gala will enable SAC to expand their food pantry and create an outdoor area at the 112 Spruce St. center.
SAC Resource Development Manager Melanie Trottier-Mitcheson, who spearheaded organizing the event, emphasized “we are all involved in this goal we have.” She announced that they have a fundraising goal of $60,000 for 60 years and over $53,000 was raised through the gala.
As of press time, $58,176 total has been collected and donations are still welcome and appreciated by visiting givebutter.com/60th-anniversary-gala-xkll2l.
“This money that you raised is going to help us to do great things,” Trottier-Mitcheson said at the gala, sharing that the funds will be used to support a number of things at the SAC including their elders and youth programs, domestic violence counseling and resources, and another person mentioned the goal of launching a Latino Leadership Academy at down the road.
Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early made a surprise appearance to drop off a $3,000 check, saying the work the SAC does “is second to none,” and community awards were presented to people who have made a positive impact at the center and in the region including Steve Adams, Cheryl Boissy, Peter Bovenzi, Silvia Taurino and Ana Delia “Yuyu” Torres.
Trottier-Mitcheson said they were thrilled to have “so many friends, sponsors, community partners, and fellow nonprofits” come out for the evening affair.
“The gala told the story of SAC’s history while highlighting Latino art and culture including a powerful opening performance by the amazing Gilberto Rivera to the joyful rhythms of Grupo Fa’Unida and Irene Hernandez Guzman’s regal and passionate bomba,” Trottier-Mitcheson said following the event. “We also screened a mini documentary filmed by student volunteers and were blessed to have WPKZ’s Georgie Rodriguez, a longtime friend of SAC, working his bilingual magic on the crowd and bringing the whole evening together.”
According to the gala program, the mission of the Spanish American Center, which was founded in 1966, is to respond to the social, health, educational and cultural needs of the Leominster community and surrounding areas with special focus on the Hispanic/Latino community limited by language, poverty and access. The center fosters economic self-sufficiency, equal opportunity and active participation in community-related activities for better quality of life.
The film Trottier-Mitcheson mentioned featured images highlighting SAC’s history from the very beginning through the present time and interviews with people involved with the organization over the decades, including longtime SAC Executive Director Neddy Latimer.
SAC Board of Directors Secretary Leona Whetzel divulged that Latimer and late Fitchburg-based civil rights activist Adrian Ford considered each other family and “shared a lifelong commitment to serving the community.” Whetzel said she has no doubt that 60 years from now the SAC will still be “a place where everyone feels welcome and supported.”
Fellow board member and Leominster City Councilor Eladia Romero, the regional manager for the office of Congressman Jim McGovern, said the SAC is a place people “trust.”
DJ Jensy Rosario provided energetic music throughout the night and got many people on the dance floor after dinner was served, including Latimer and her husband Jose Latimer.
“Let me tell you something, I was so excited being there seeing so much support from businesses, nonprofits, and the community,” Latimer imparted following the gala. “The work we have put in for 60 years has not gone unnoticed and our neighbors’ lives have changed for the better. Of course, the work of ensuring a thriving community is never done, but celebrations like this motivate us to keep going.”
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