Greenlawn – Officials from the Town of Huntington and the Hispanic Advisory Task Force were joined by State and Suffolk County officials; community leaders, including keynote speaker Mercy Peña, retired native language arts and Spanish language teacher from Huntington School District; local school districts and students at the 27th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration which took place at the Huntington Moose Lodge in Greenlawn, on Friday, October 15.
“This year, we celebrate 30 years of the Town of Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force, whose members do great work in welcoming new members to our community, building participation in town affairs, as well as providing services, such as food distribution, legal services, and financial literacy workshops to improve lives,” said Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci. “Thank you to Chairman Esteban for presiding over an increase in Task Force meeting attendance, bringing guest speakers, and having by-laws approved by Task Force membership and the Town Board, and continuing to accomplish a great deal in line with the purpose of the Hispanic Advisory Task Force’s mission.”
Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, Deputy Supervisor Councilman Ed Smyth, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, Councilman Eugene Cook, Councilwoman Joan Cergol, Town Clerk Andrew Raia, Receiver of Taxes Jillian Guthman, and Highway Superintendent Kevin Orelli were joined by Director of Human Services Carmen Kasper, Director of Minority Affairs Kevin Thorbourne, Hispanic Advisory Task Force Chairman Manuel Esteban, Esq., Vice Chair Veronica Melgar and Task Force members to celebrate of Hispanic Heritage Month and the Task Force’s 30th Anniversary. Senator Jim Gaughran, Legislator Susan Berland, former Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia, also Town Beautification Advisory Council Vice Chair, and Town Attorney Nick Ciappetta also joined the celebration.
The Town of Huntington 27th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration Dinner Gala featured keynote speaker Mercy Peña, a retired native language arts and Spanish language teacher from Huntington School District, honored Community Service Award recipients Libardo Ramos, Vice President of People's United Bank and Samira Lopez, Social Worker at the Dolan Center, and presented Student Achievement Award scholarships to local students Gabrielle Bouzas, Brandon Fernandez, Braden Gastaldi, Grace Motta, and Victoria Rodgers. The event was sponsored by People's United Bank.