El Amanecer
The Official Newsletter of the Spanish American Center
November, 2018
Volume III, Issue 10
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A Message from Mickey
Dear friends,
As we at the Spanish American Center prepare for the upcoming holiday season, I want to share some of the news affecting us and impacting our clients here in Leominster. I am happy to report that our Director, Neddy Latimer, continues her recuperation - at HOME - which has been most welcome news for all of our staff and volunteers. Your good wishes have been conveyed and her progress is, most likely, a direct result of your ongoing support during this challenging period.
Here are a few projects and updates
in this issue
:
- Thanksgiving Dinner for the needy will be held at First Church UU in Leominster for anyone hungry or in need, free of charge (Thursday, Nov. 15 from 4 - 5:30).
- Holiday coat drive - sponsored by Worcester County Sheriff's office.
- Holiday Pie Sale (orders taken at Sholan Farms on Saturday morning) for prepared pies, apple & pumpkin; profits will be shared with both SAC and Friends of Sholan Farms.
- We welcomed our colleague Sonia Colon Rodriguez back as an employee. Sonia will be assisting with community education, outreach and collaboration for the agency's busy domestic violence intervention programs.
- We have been awarded a generous grant from Harvard-PIlgrim Health Plan. Stay tuned for updates as we work with this program to expand our media presence and share their programs and services with our community.
- Our Board of Directors has been working to bring new members into our agency, expanding their (and our) impact by thoughtful recruitment and outreach. Look for an updated listing of our Officers and Board in our December issue. As you know, the backbone of any successful non-profit agency is the oversight, enthusiasm and dedication of its volunteer board, and I'm happy to welcome our newest talent there.
- Our Food Pantry experiences critical shortfalls of provisions during the holidays. We are grateful to local donors and to the good folks at the Worcester County Food Bank for the food items we receive. If you would like to make a donation, please call or Pantry Coordinator, Ann Bissonnette, who will be happy to assist you. Our new hours are posted below. We are Closed on Tuesday for re-stocking and inventory so we may better assist our clients in need of food help.
- As always, our Saturday morning ESL (English classes) remain popular and well attended. We thank our instructor, Maria Pernerewski, for her dedicated teaching.
- We also extend a warm welcome to our newest volunteer. Ms. Elizabeth Conroy. Familiar with our mission at SAC, (her uncle, Dave Higgins, was our major mentor, for whom our Higgins Cocina is named), Ms. Conroy, a retired language teacher, has joined our team of volunteers. Welcome Elizabeth, and, ¡Muchas Gracias!
- A benefit dance/fundraiser for SAC is set for December 1, 2018. Details below.
- And, finally, we extend to everyone an opportunity to help the Spanish Center as we share stories of our impact in the community. Giving Tuesday is the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. We make it easier for you to donate by simply clicking on the donate button below. Many thanks to all and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Mickey
Miguel Mickey Guzman
Acting Director,
Spanish American Center, Inc.
November, 2018
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Here are some photos from last year's community Thanksgiving dinner:
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Food Pantry at SAC
*Hours Change*
We are Closed on Tuesdays
for re-stocking
New Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday from 10am - 2pm and as needed for emergencies only.
Contact: Ann Bissonnette , Pantry Coordinator at 978-534-3145
Donations can also be arranged through Ann. Thank you!
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Welcome Elizabeth Conroy,
our newest volunteer.
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The newest member of our SAC family is volunteer and front-desk assistant Ms. Elizabeth Conroy. Using her language skills, Elizabeth, a retired language teacher, has fit right in with her bi-lingual capabilities and desire to assist our clients. When she reached out to us to offer her volunteer time, we felt doubly blessed, as our
David Higgins Cocina was named in memory of her godfather and uncle. We are sure Dave is smiling down on her as she carries on his mission of so many years - helping the Spanish American Center and all those in need. Thank you for choosing us Elizabeth! Muchas gracias y bienvenido!
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Fuel Assistance Information - Applications begin November 1, 2018
at:
New England Farm Workers’ Council
Fuel Assistance Program
473 Main St., 3rd Floor,
Fitchburg, MA 01420
978
-342-4520
*Communities served by the Fitchburg office include:
Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Barre, Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Hardwick, Harvard, Hubbardston, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, New Braintree, Petersham, Phillipston, Princeton, Royalston, Shirley, Sterling, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster, and Winchendon.
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Let us tell you how your donations to the Spanish American Center make an immediate difference in your community:
- hot meals for the needy at our Soup Kitchen suppers program = $100 per week (two meals/days for 30 clients)
- Cafe breakfast meals for two days = $50
- materials for our Saturday ESL Classes= $25/ week
- shelter/night at local motel for DV women & children = $100/night
- one round trip to Worcester County Food Bank = $50/ week
- a week's supply of supplemental food items from our pantry for a family of 4 = $100
- communal meal for five hispanic elders = $25/ week
- Media sponsorship web/FB page/newsletter - $100/month includes your company or agency advertisement.
Hunger does not take a holiday.
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Spanish American Center Awarded Grant to enhance outreach, health education, visibility from
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation.
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November 6, 2018 - We are very happy to announce that that Spanish American Center, Inc., was awarded a $10,000 grant from Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan's Community Foundation! The foundation has reached out to agencies representing diverse populations in order to develop programs which support the work of community based non-profit agencies whose work targets diverse populations.This grant may assist SAC with marketing our services, community outreach, enhancing our media presence and offering our clients and stakeholders the opportunity to learn about HPHP and its products. Watch for updates in future issues of El Amanecer as we formulate programmatic events with these goals in mind. ¡Muchas Gracias! Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan Community Foundation. Thank you!
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December 1, 2018 Benefit Dance For SAC! Save the Date!
Music:Trio Los Soñadores
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On the evening of December 1, 2018 we will sponsor a benefit dance - all proceeds to go to the Spanish American Center.
Admission: $20 each, includes hot snacks.
Cash bar (not included in admission tx).
Where? Leominster Franco-American Veteran's Club, 300 Water St., Leominster..
Live music/DJ. Bring your dancing shoes!
Baile beneficio para el Centro Hispano!
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We are the
Spanish American Center -
Sirviendo Nuestra Comunidad
Serving Our Community -
for over 50 years!
Thank you for reading.
Questions? Comments? We love to hear your feedback! Click the link below:
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Our Corporate Media Sponsors for November, 2018
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We Thank our corporate sponsors whose financial support helps to cover the cost of our WEB Site, Facebook Page and e-Newsletter. Together we continue to connect with the Community. ¡Muchas Gracias!
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