OCCHA will celebrate 43 years of service

Photo

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR The 2015 OCCHA fundraiser and scholarship gala planning committee members are, from left, Rosa Tirado, Aida Pacheco, Teddi Noday, Elba Navarro, Ana Maria Torres, Olga Rivera, Dr. Consuelo Mendez and Grimilda Ocasio. Benito Velazquez Jr. also is a member of the committee.

Staff report

BOARDMAN

Hispanic American Civic and Cultural Organization, known as OCCHA, will celebrate 43 years of service in the Mahoning Valley at its annual fundraiser and scholarship gala Oct. 16 at Antone’s Banquet Center, 8578 Market St. The public is invited.

A social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 and live dance performances. Reynaldo Esparra will be the master of ceremonies and disc jockey Kenny Reyes will provide dance music until 11. There also will be a 50-50 raffle and gala auctions.

Tickets are $50 per person. Reservations are required; contact the planning committee at 330-755-0430 or occhagala@gmail.com for details.

Scholarship recipients this year receiving a total of $26,500 are:

Celina Vidman, OCCHA Changing Lives Through Education Scholarship

Julian Troncoso, Dr. Clara Becerra Memorial Scholarship

Star Klenotic, Hispanic Professionals Scholarship

Juan Santiago, Judge Diane Vettori and Ismael Caraballo Scholarship

Marlen Ramirez and Javier Troncoso, Latin American Motorcycle Association

Raymar Rivera, Iris Crespo and Elba Navarro Scholarship

Marco Labra, Richard Pagan Scholarship

Angelica Coto-Ramos, Rafael and Marta Romero Memorial Scholarship

Araceli Perez, Spanish Evangelical Church Scholarship

To be announced are the Francisco “Chico” Ocasio Memorial Scholarship and 16 Youngstown State University students, Shorty and Elba Navarro Scholarships.

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