FUND-RAISER OCCHA to celebrate anniversary at dinner

Awards and scholarships will be presented during a ceremony celebrating the arts.
BOARDMAN -- On Oct. 22, Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana will celebrate its 32nd anniversary with a fund-raising dinner and awards ceremony at Mr. Anthony's Banquet Center, 7440 South Ave.
The social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the dinner and awards ceremony at 6:30. The cost is $30 per person. The deadline for purchasing tickets is Oct. 20.
OCCHA will celebrate the arts at the event by presenting music and art awards. The music awards will be given to Porfirio Esparra Sr., Belinda M. Colon-Yaksich, Zenaida Santiago-Mirza and Sabor Latino (Pedro Luciano). The art awards will be given to Raymond Escribano and Davis Santiago, and a culinary art award will go to Michael Lopez.
Scholarships will also be awarded in recognition of scholastic achievements. This year's recipients will be Alexandra Fuentes, OCCHA Academic Achievement Scholarship; Brittany C. McKee, Hispanic Teacher's Scholarship; DeAnna Torres, Becerra Family Scholarship; and Nicole Martinez, Hispanic Heritage Committee Scholarship.
Serving as master of ceremonies at the event will be A.C. McCullough and Kelly Stevens from WHOT-FM 101.1. Entertainment will be provided by Sabor Latino and DJ Chico, and a Chinese and silent auction also will be held.
Behind the scenes
The members of this year's dinner committee are Aida Pacheco; chairperson; Rosa Tirado, co-chairperson; and committee members Antonia Caraballo, Candida Godoy, Nellie Gonzalez, Virginia Hernandez, Elba Navarro, Mary Ann Navarro, Nancy Pagan, Judy Richards, William Robertson, Carmen Santiago, Fran Wilson and Benito Velazaquez Jr.