OCCA plans 38th Hispanic Gala to honor distinguished nominees

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William D Lewis | The Vindicator: OCCHA committee members are, from left, Mary Isa Garayua, OCCHA executive director; Liz McGarry, OCCHA board member; Benito Velazquez Jr., OCCHA board president; Atty. Miriam Ocasio, OCCHA vice president and chairwoman of the gala, and Sara Cuevas, co-chairwoman of the gala.

BOARDMAN

Organizaci ≥n Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana, Inc., is preparing for its 38th Hispanic Gala on Oct. 29 at The Embassy, 5030 Youngstown-Poland Road.

The public is invited to enjoy the festivities, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar.

OCCHA is a nonprofit organization that strives to improve the quality of life for Hispanics and others in this multicultural community by providing social, economic, cultural and educational programs.

Committee chairwoman is Atty. Miriam M. Ocasio, OCCHA vice president, who will serve as emcee. Her co-chairwomen are Sara Cuevas and Aida Pacheco, and President Benito Velazquez will speak.

The honorees of this event will include the founders of the Latin American Motorcycle Association, Luis Arroyo and Angel Rivera. Rita Lopez, R.N., B.A., O.C.N., will be honored for her dedication to raising funds for OCCHA and her work in the community.

The following scholarships will be presented: The Drs. Servio and Clara Becerra Scholarship to Ryan West, The Francisco “Chico” Ocasio Memorial Scholarship to Manuel Santiago, The Hispanic Teachers and Medical Scholarship to Hillary Tanoff, The Judge Diane Vittori and Ismael Carraballo Scholarship to Robert Serra, The OCCHA Scholarship to Angelo Astorga, the Rafael and Marta Romero Scholarship to Kyle Steiner, The Spanish Evangelical Church Scholarship to Ryan Bezzarro, and the Shorty and Elba Navarro Scholarships to Melissa Caraballo, Victoria Cook, Bianka Gonzalez, Alberto Miranda, Jose Miranda, Manuel Monos, Alex Sanchez, Manuel Santiago, Edward Soto and William Zeigler.

A buffet dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., featuring a strolling serenade by the Filipe Gonzalez Trio and dancing to Hispanic favorites with DJ “Chico.”

Representatives from the Michael Stephens and Frank Ocasio Studio will take photographs that will be available for purchase that evening.

Other features of the night are raffles, chance auctions and prizes generously donated by local merchants. OCCHA is accepting gifts until Oct. 25; call for details. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling OCCHA at 330-781-1808. All are invited to attend this cultural event.

Additional OCCHA Board members for 2010 follow: Betty Cuevas, secretary; Frank Nolasco, treasurer; Ismael Caraballo, Hector Colon, Rita Lopez, Atty. Susan Gaetano Maruca, Cristina Esparra-Whipple, James E. Johnston, Elizabeth McGarry; Rosa Tirado, Minerva Colon, and Casey Malone.