If I had to pick only one word to describe the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley's 19th Annual Charity Ball, it would be surreal. My family was honored with the 2008 La Familia Award. We were treated first class from the moment we met Teresa Alvarado, HFSV Executive Director, and Jim Gonzales, Charity Ball Committee Chair, in our living when they both personally notified us of our award, to the last song played at the Ball. Thank you HFSV!It was blessing to have our children at the celebration because they too have participated in many community events and they also have made many sacrifices. We are also grateful to our extended family, our Mesa family, and friends for joining us.
Don't be fooled by the smiles because we were nervous throughout the evening, well at least until after I gave the acceptance speech, then it was time to party like a rock star. Nearly 700 people attended the ball. It was a Who's Who of Latinos in Silicon Valley. Jessica Aguire was the MC and like always she added her Latina spice to the evening. Our friend, Damian Trujillo, was also supposed to be co-MC, but he was unable to attend due to his father passing away - our prayers and condolences go to him and his family. The HFSV recognized several nonprofits that it awarded grants too. They also recognized three Latina scholarship recipients. The evening recognition ended with our friend Laura Macias introducing our La Familia Award and with a brief video of Mesa and our family, narrated by Damian. Well, there was one last thing, and that was our acceptance speech, which my family asked me to give. Below is the text of the speech.
Good evening everyone. We would like to express our deep gratitude to the HFSV for creating this prestigious award and honoring our family. A special thank you to our amiga, Laura Casas-Frier for nominating us. Bruce Barsi and Gay Krause, thank you for your support and unwavering belief in our family. To our Mesa family, your commitment and compassion for serving our community energizes us. To our daughter Angelica, our son David, our niece Yvette, my father-in-law Fred and my sister-in-law Marisa, who always join in the fun, thank you for being on our team.
The number one question we have been asked is “How does it feel to receive the La Familia award?” After the initial feeling of shock and surprise, we are humbled because we view our community work as a labor of love, and a responsibility to give back to others, as others have given to us. In February 2005, Lisa and I sat in a school board meeting passively listening to school closure proceedings. Rosemary was carrying the torch of community involvement as a trustee. Although Lisa and I were active in community work during college and early in our marriage, we fell victims to the attitude that we were “too busy” to help others. At the time we were running two businesses and helping care for my sick parents with Marco and Elena, I was working fulltime, Lisa part-time and we had two young children. In our minds we were busy. Our children were in private school so we didn’t see how the closing of a public school would impact our lives. We had forgotten what we were taught as children that family isn’t only your blood relatives. Our community is our family. As Frank Carbajal would say “Es Tiempo”, it was time for us to change our attitude, stop making excuses and take our eyes off our self and place them on the needs of others. As we enjoy this evening, I challenge you to reflect upon your own life. Have you forgotten some of the values you were raised with? What excuses are holding you back from giving more?
Today our country is experiencing an economic calamity unseen in our generation. Quoting my friend, Richard Hobbs we are facing a crisis of compassion and serving others. The need is great. In this room tonight we have people that have triumphed against high odds and achieved success in their respective field. However, let us not be lulled into an illusion of success, of having arrived or that we can’t give more. Instead ask not for a lighter load, but for a stronger back to help carry the load of those who are unable too. If you have money, give of your time. If you have time, give of your money. If you have neither, give of your heart. Whether you sit behind a mahogany desk or you clean a mahogany desk, you have within you the power to influence others. We are indebted to past Latino generations and it is our responsibility that we continue to fund the social and moral accounts their sacrifices opened for you and me. We must continue their legacy of progress, unity and familia so that current and future generations can stand on our shoulders as we have stood on the shoulders of those before us.
In closing, I leave you with some words from the boycott marches of 2006.
The number one question we have been asked is “How does it feel to receive the La Familia award?” After the initial feeling of shock and surprise, we are humbled because we view our community work as a labor of love, and a responsibility to give back to others, as others have given to us. In February 2005, Lisa and I sat in a school board meeting passively listening to school closure proceedings. Rosemary was carrying the torch of community involvement as a trustee. Although Lisa and I were active in community work during college and early in our marriage, we fell victims to the attitude that we were “too busy” to help others. At the time we were running two businesses and helping care for my sick parents with Marco and Elena, I was working fulltime, Lisa part-time and we had two young children. In our minds we were busy. Our children were in private school so we didn’t see how the closing of a public school would impact our lives. We had forgotten what we were taught as children that family isn’t only your blood relatives. Our community is our family. As Frank Carbajal would say “Es Tiempo”, it was time for us to change our attitude, stop making excuses and take our eyes off our self and place them on the needs of others. As we enjoy this evening, I challenge you to reflect upon your own life. Have you forgotten some of the values you were raised with? What excuses are holding you back from giving more?
Today our country is experiencing an economic calamity unseen in our generation. Quoting my friend, Richard Hobbs we are facing a crisis of compassion and serving others. The need is great. In this room tonight we have people that have triumphed against high odds and achieved success in their respective field. However, let us not be lulled into an illusion of success, of having arrived or that we can’t give more. Instead ask not for a lighter load, but for a stronger back to help carry the load of those who are unable too. If you have money, give of your time. If you have time, give of your money. If you have neither, give of your heart. Whether you sit behind a mahogany desk or you clean a mahogany desk, you have within you the power to influence others. We are indebted to past Latino generations and it is our responsibility that we continue to fund the social and moral accounts their sacrifices opened for you and me. We must continue their legacy of progress, unity and familia so that current and future generations can stand on our shoulders as we have stood on the shoulders of those before us.
In closing, I leave you with some words from the boycott marches of 2006.
When you return to your work, school and your daily life and perhaps feel like your voice doesn't count, please remember the energy, the passion and the fervor of this day. Look into the eyes of the person next to you. See into their soul and remember that we all have a spirit of overcoming, and our cause is just, and we will be victorious. Brothers and sisters, America heard our actions, but I ask you, let our actions echo for generations to come.
To those that say, "We are illegal," I say, "We are people with dignity."
To those that say, "We take jobs away," I say, "Jobs go to those willing to work."
To those that say, "We cost the government money," I say, "We helped build the world's No. 1 economy."
To those that say, "Let's build a wall," I say, "Let's build a stronger America."
To those that say, "We should only speak English," I say, "Let's speak multiple languages."
To those in Washington who say, "Let's criminalize immigrants," I say, "Remember your heritage."
To those that say, "Go home," I say, "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
May God bless all of you and may God bless America.
Thank you everyone from the bottom of our heart for sharing this special evening with us.
