Yesterday, people throughout the Valley and Colorado walked a mile to two where they could to help the Guatemalan farm worker community.

“We have been trying to figure out something we can do to make a significant difference,” said Valley-Wide Health Systems Farm Worker and Outreach Coordinator Toni Romero. “Cesar Chavez made a huge difference in the lives of the farm workers. Our farm workers still need the help. Things are better, but it is not completely solved.”

Rakhra Mushroom Farm Corporation of Alamosa filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Denver in January, displacing a number of Guatemalan farm workers.

“We are trying to help these people today,” Romero said. “We are trying to help them pay for rent and utilities.”

She said the best way to contribute to assist the Guatemalan farm worker is to donate money or any of the following food items: Pinto Beans: 1 pound per family black beans or lentils, 1 container of oil, 1 four pound bag of flour per person, about 4 pounds of rice per family, 1 bag of fideos per house, 2 pounds of sugar per house, potatoes and 2 pounds onions per house. Money and food can be delivered to Valley-Wide or La Puente.

Walkers convened on the Ortega Middle School track Tuesday at noon and donated at least a dollar for every mile walked.

The event, however, spanned across the Valley and over the mountains. Walkers could be found in Center, Monte Vista, Antonito, San Luis, The Arkansas Valley and Canon City.

“The weather is beautiful,” remarked Valley-Wide Chief Medical Officer Ricardo Velasquez. “It is a very good cause. We are out here to soak up the sun and exercise.”

Valley-Wide President Gigi Darricades, who was on her second walk of the day, said that she has had a longtime affection for Caser Chavez.

“The farm workers really do need our services,” Darricades said. “I am proud that Valley Wide can provide these services.”

Romero and a team of health professionals head out into the potato fields to offer farm workers medical services like blood pressure readings and diabetes examinations.

“Unfortunately, we see a lot of people who don’t get their health needs attended to,” Romero said. “This is one way for us to reach out to them and look for diseases.”

Starting mid-summer, Romero and her team will begin providing medical services to the migrant farming communities.

“These are the people, coming from Texas, Mexico and Honduras, that move here to harvest the crops like lettuce, spinach and carrots,” Romero explained. “We have that population and their needs are worse.”

Celebration

Valley-Wide will host Cesar Chavez events for the rest of the week:

Wednesday, A day of learning- Early Childhood Literacy Coordinator Judy Duarte and clinic managers will go to local Head Starts in their areas to read a book and give a book to each child to take home.

Thursday: A day of service – Baked potato bar under the gazebo in Center for the farm workers who work in the warehouses.

Friday: Lunch and a movie – Potluck in all clinics and movie “La Cosecha” will be playing in training rooms 1&2. Valley Wide will provide dessert for all clinics.

Next week Adams State College will hold daily Caser Chavez events:

The week starts with Noche de Risa: Geoff Keith, comedian at 7 p.m. Monday, April 2, in Carson Auditorium, that same evening, at 8 p.m. is Noche de Baile Latino (Latin Dance Night) at 8 p.m. in Vistas Restaurant.

La Cantina Billar (Game Night) starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in the Student Union Building Loft. Wednesday, April 4, includes Del Campo a Su Mesa: Food Extravaganza in honor of Cesar Chavez in the La Mesa Dining Hall. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. This event is repeated during the lunch hour on Friday, April 6.

Pachanga de Mascara, (Masquerade Ball), formal dress optional and prizes for best-dressed, begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in the Student Union Building Mall Court. Visit the CASA House, 101 Faculty Drive, for La Merienda Social (potluck) from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, April 5.

A blood drive is scheduled from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Friday, April 6, in the Student Union Building Mall Court. Call the Campus Ministry at 587-7516 for an appointment.

Yesterday, people throughout the Valley and Colorado walked a mile to two where they could to help the Guatemalan farm worker community.

“We have been trying to figure out something we can do to make a significant difference,” said Valley-Wide Health Systems Farm Worker and Outreach Coordinator Toni Romero. “Cesar Chavez made a huge difference in the lives of the farm workers. Our farm workers still need the help. Things are better, but it is not completely solved.”

Rakhra Mushroom Farm Corporation of Alamosa filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Denver in January, displacing a number of Guatemalan farm workers.

“We are trying to help these people today,” Romero said. “We are trying to help them pay for rent and utilities.”

She said the best way to contribute to assist the Guatemalan farm worker is to donate money or any of the following food items: Pinto Beans: 1 pound per family black beans or lentils, 1 container of oil, 1 four pound bag of flour per person, about 4 pounds of rice per family, 1 bag of fideos per house, 2 pounds of sugar per house, potatoes and 2 pounds onions per house. Money and food can be delivered to Valley-Wide or La Puente.

Walkers convened on the Ortega Middle School track Tuesday at noon and donated at least a dollar for every mile walked.

The event, however, spanned across the Valley and over the mountains. Walkers could be found in Center, Monte Vista, Antonito, San Luis, The Arkansas Valley and Canon City.

“The weather is beautiful,” remarked Valley-Wide Chief Medical Officer Ricardo Velasquez. “It is a very good cause. We are out here to soak up the sun and exercise.”

Valley-Wide President Gigi Darricades, who was on her second walk of the day, said that she has had a longtime affection for Caser Chavez.

“The farm workers really do need our services,” Darricades said. “I am proud that Valley Wide can provide these services.”

Romero and a team of health professionals head out into the potato fields to offer farm workers medical services like blood pressure readings and diabetes examinations.

“Unfortunately, we see a lot of people who don’t get their health needs attended to,” Romero said. “This is one way for us to reach out to them and look for diseases.”

Starting mid-summer, Romero and her team will begin providing medical services to the migrant farming communities.

“These are the people, coming from Texas, Mexico and Honduras, that move here to harvest the crops like lettuce, spinach and carrots,” Romero explained. “We have that population and their needs are worse.”

Celebration

Valley-Wide will host Cesar Chavez events for the rest of the week:

Wednesday, A day of learning- Early Childhood Literacy Coordinator Judy Duarte and clinic managers will go to local Head Starts in their areas to read a book and give a book to each child to take home.

Thursday: A day of service – Baked potato bar under the gazebo in Center for the farm workers who work in the warehouses.

Friday: Lunch and a movie – Potluck in all clinics and movie “La Cosecha” will be playing in training rooms 1&2. Valley Wide will provide dessert for all clinics.

Next week Adams State College will hold daily Caser Chavez events:

The week starts with Noche de Risa: Geoff Keith, comedian at 7 p.m. Monday, April 2, in Carson Auditorium, that same evening, at 8 p.m. is Noche de Baile Latino (Latin Dance Night) at 8 p.m. in Vistas Restaurant.

La Cantina Billar (Game Night) starts at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in the Student Union Building Loft. Wednesday, April 4, includes Del Campo a Su Mesa: Food Extravaganza in honor of Cesar Chavez in the La Mesa Dining Hall. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. This event is repeated during the lunch hour on Friday, April 6.

Pachanga de Mascara, (Masquerade Ball), formal dress optional and prizes for best-dressed, begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in the Student Union Building Mall Court. Visit the CASA House, 101 Faculty Drive, for La Merienda Social (potluck) from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday, April 5.

A blood drive is scheduled from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Friday, April 6, in the Student Union Building Mall Court. Call the Campus Ministry at 587-7516 for an appointment.