The Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee (LCEC) celebrated their 8th Annual Fundraising Dinner Saturday, March 31, 2018. With a packed house at Local 652 in Lansing, Michigan, guests were treated to a dinner, entertainment provided by Grupo Plazer with Michael Medina on keyboards as well as a silent auction. Amanda Cena provided her usual golden voice for the National Anthem. The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Ruben Martinez from the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University and spoke to a packed house.
Once again the annual Cesar E. Chavez Essay Awards were handed out on this night and the 1st Place winner was Estabraq Mahdi who attends Eastern High School and received an $800 scholarship to help her with college expenses. 2nd Place went to Destiny Hernandez of Everett High School who won a $500 scholarship. A $200 scholarship went to Maricela Tapia of Waverly High School.
Community Awards were also given to Todd Heywood who is a freelance investigative journalist based in Lansing. He received the Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Humanitarian Award for his role in the street name change of Grand River Ave. to Cesar E. Chavez Ave. in Lansing’s Old Town. Much thanks to Amanda Cena who sang the National Anthem and provided vocals to Grupo Plazer for the dance. Thank you Grupo Plazer!
The Lansing for Cesar E. Chavez Committee is a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization that’s works to preserve the legacy of Cesar E. Chavez through Education, Commemoration, Service and Self Determination. The Committee led the way in changing the street name Grand River Ave. to Cesar E. Chavez Ave. in Lansing’s Old Town. Much thanks also goes out to the Old Town Commercial Association and its members for listening and then responding to the Latino community in what Gente considered important.
The Committee is always looking for new members so if you would like to become a member or have questions about either membership or sponsorship of this group, please contact Chairperson Al Salas at salasalfonso@aol.com or contact the through their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lansingforcesarechavez/
