New chapter in life

Greetings to all,

As an employee of General Motors, lay-offs looming and the current economic conditions as they are, I feel that I must return to college to further my education and career opportunities. I have decided to pursue a career in the medical field and with this decision to go back to school, I will need to focus all my attention and energies in doing the best that I can. As a result, I will not have the time to function in a leadership position for our local chapter.
So it is with sincere regret that as of January 12, 2009 I will need to resign as the President of the Oakland County Chapter of LCLAA.
I am still committed to our chapter and will help when and where I can.
As the only active Vice President of our chapter, Lorenzo Rivera will take over the responsibilities of chapter President. Please help and give him your full support, he can be contacted at riveradall@chapter.net .
It has been an honor and pleasure serving as President. I would like to thank everyone for all their support and hard work at our past meetings and events over the last 3 years. Thank you.

Respectfully
David L. Mora
UAW Local 5960

"La Amsitad" Senior citizen luncheon 2008

This years event was held on Saturday December 13, 2008. Wehad a rough start. A week before this event we were informed that another group was booked to use the center on the same day and time. So we pushed our luncheon back to a latter time on the same day. We were to begin arriving with food at 1:00pm and serve at 2:00pm. The other group didn't leave until almost 2:00pm. Once they left we quickly transformed the center for our use and I was amazed at how quickly we were able to do that and get going. Here dinner is ready and we are about to begin serving. We had good music provide by Dario Lopez. Brigitta Cantu, through her church provide gifts. After giving each senior a ticket we drew tickets for them to pick a gift. We had them hold on to their ticket and latter we drew tickets for them to pick a pointsetta plant which was donated by OHLSA. Also a big thank you to Margritta from Gleaners for donating 80 boxes of food which we gave a box to each senior who attended. I'm sorry we didn't get a group picture of all those who helped and supported this event. I won't even begin to try and name everyone because I know I'll miss someone. I just what to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who helped and made this event a success. Our cameraman behind the lense was Lorenzo Rivera.

Thank you for all the support and help, here's Lisa helping getting the food ready along with Marry Lopez in the background.

Patiently waiting for dinner to be served.

Simon, Ruban and Irma. Thanks for your support and help. We couldn't do without you.

Santa was nice enough to take time out of his busy schedule to join us and help make this a special event for the Seniors.

No Don, Santa's not going to eat your food! Relax.

Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas.

Dinner is served, again I would like to thank all those who helped make this a successful event. Fun was had by all. We had plenty of food, gifts for the seniors and boxes of food for each senior to take home with them. Merry Christmas to all and have a safe holiday season.

Urgent Update "La Amistad" senior luncheon.

LCLAA Oak. Chapter has been informed that the Ruth Peterson Community Center made a mistake by authorizing us to use the building early in the morning for the Seniors Luncheon. We have been informed they had a contract with another group to use the building on that Saturday December 13, until 1:00 pm.
So we can start bringing food items in at 1:00 pm on that same day. Plans are to start serving food at 2:00 p.m. at Ruth Peterson Center , La Amistad Seniors.
990 Joslyn Rd.
Pontiac, MI
More information will be mailed.
Any questions? please call David Mora (248) 882-2827 davidleemora@sbcglobal.net
or Oscar G. Sanchez (248) 390-85152 OscarGarSan@aol.com

V.Pres. Lorenzo Rivera, member Dario Lopez and Recording Sec. Oscar G. Sanchez.

Oscar G. Sanchez, Dario Lopez, Jessica Hall, Todd Scott and Henry Torrez.

On October 12, 2008 Lorenzo spear headed our chapter with a GOTV project in Pontiac at the St. Vincent De Paul church. We took surveys on what people felt were the most important issues to them and handed out information on their rights as voters for the up coming elections. It's important to be out in the community and to help educate others on the importance of getting involved and voting. Thank you to those who helped in this effort. For their hard work, sacrifice and dedication.

"La Amistad" senior citizen luncheon

Our next event is our annual senior citizen luncheon that we sponsor for "La Amistad". It will be held on December 13, 2008 at the Ruth Peterson building in Pontiac on Joslyn Rd. from 11:00am to 1:00pm. The luncheon is pot luck, donated by our chapter members. The doors will open at 9:00am for those who will be bringing in food. We should begin serving at 11:00am. We are in need of food commitments and volunteers to help make this a successful event. If you would like to donated or volunteer please contact Oscar Sanchez at 248-390-8512 or e-mail him at OscarGarSan@aol.com. Thank you for your support.

November LCLAA Meeting

Hello all, our next meeting is scheduled for Saturday 11-8-08 12:00 noon at Local 5960. We have a few issues to go over including plans for our next event. That event will be our annual "La Amistad" senior citizen's luncheon slated for December 13, 2008 at the "Ruth Petersen" building. As you know this luncheon is a pot luck luncheon provided by the members of our chapter. So we will be in need of all your support to make this a successful event. Thank you and we'll see on the 8th. Dave.

This year we used the Azteca Boxing Club as the gathering place to conclude our annual Cesar Chavez Street clean up and Humanitarian Award presentation. We had help from our Chapter and members of the Azteca Boxing club out in the streets cleaning up. It was a cold day to start but with the sun out, it was a beautiful morning and temps warmed up quickly. Here Mayor Clarence Phillips is being awarded with this years Cesar Chavez Humanitarian award. It is awarded to an individual or organization that has been supportive of LCLAA and or our causes. Mayor Phillips has been very supportive throughout the years as a State Representative and now as Mayor of Pontiac.

Group photo of some of the Azteca's and LCLAA members.
Taking it easy after the clean up. Thank you goes out to Gleaners for providing the goodies for us and thank you to Bob Paramo for the use of the club. We look forward to next year.

Cesar Chavez Street Clean Up 10-4-08

Hello all, at our last chapter meeting we decided to host this years annual Cesar Chavez street clean up on Sept 27, 2008. Because of scheduling problems we had to change that date to Oct 4, 2008. We will begin arriving at 8:00am to set up downstairs at the Salvation Army in downtown Pontiac, cornor of Oakland Ave/Cesar Chavez Ave and Woodward (the Loop). We will start the clean up at 9:00am. Once the clean up is done we will regroup at the Salvation Army, between 10:00 and 10:30am we will have our presentation of our Cesar Chavez Humanitarian Award which this year will be presented to Pontiac City Mayor Clarence Phillips. Refreshments will be provided.
Many of us from the Lk. Orion assembly plant are scheduled to work that day, but with the support of those who are retired and who don't work at Orion, it should still be a success. Thank you for all your support " Si se pueda".

September LCLAA meeting

Hello all, our next meeting will be held on Saturday 9-6-08. We will meet at the UAW union hall Local5960 at 2:00pm. Sorry for the late notice but we need to meet to discuss plans for this years Cesar Chavez street clean up. We don't have too many dates to choose from because of many different circumstances which we'll discuss on Saturday. Hope to see you there. Thanks, Dave.

This is the Fantasia Ballroom H where the Opening Plenary Session was held. We heard from a number of speakers on issues ranging from the need to unite behind a Presidental nominee who will do their best to represent our needs as a Hispanic people. How we can't afford another term with the current leadership who looks towards us with a blind eye. Some of the topics we heard ranged from Jobs and Engery for the 21st century, investing in our future. The need for a national strategy for good jobs and productive industries and greening the economy, a climate change and a need to do our part in recycling and going green and the need for a fair and equitable Immigration Plan to address the current situation.
David Mora and Jessica Hall attending Workshop II: Field and Election Day Activities.
35th Anniversary Reception group shot of the Oakland County Chapter members and spouses. Pictured from left to right, bach row: Kareem Schkoor, Reynaldo Rivera, Juan Sauceda. Frt row: Debra Styers, Lisa Schkoor, Lorenzo Rivera, Jessica Hall, Shelli Mora, David Mora
Lorenzo Rivera was honored and presented with LCLAA's Life time Achievement Award. Here he is with his award standing with his son Reynaldo.

July 19, 2008 we held our 17th annual LCLAA Student Scholarship Award Night. It was held at the UAW local 5960 union hall in Lk. Orion, Mi. We presented 17 students with scholarships ranging from $300.00 to $1000.00. We provided dinner to all in attendance which was donated by the chapter members and friends. The students were fortunate to hear from 2 great speakers, Alicia Paramo-Dionne, student counselor at Oakland Community College, Auburn Hills campus and Michigan State House Representative, representing district 29, Pontiac and Auburn Hills, the Honorable Tim Melton.

Pictured above from left to right is, Back row: State Rep. Tim Melton, Jose Gayton, Robert Rodriguez, Zachary Mercado, Nicolas Benitez, Cordero Jimenez, Jose Rivera and Oakland County Chapter President David Mora.

Front row: Claudia Diaz, Serenna Hargett, Karina Otriz Diaz, Tayri Martinez, Andrew Quinones, Melinda Guy, Daylin Salcedo, Alexis Smith, Rebekka Pesquerira. Not pictured is Melinda Ortiz and Richard Cervantes who were both out of town.

On June 28, 2008 we held our second annual LCLAA golf outing in partnership with the Loma. Fun was had by all. The forecast called for rain but the rain held off. The dinner at the Loma was excellent. We were able to raise over $2000.00 with this fund raiser. We look forward to next years outing.

Next LCLAA meeting

Hello all, our next meeting will take place on June 21, 2008 at 2:00pm, at UAW Local 5960 located at 180 Silverbell Rd, Lk. Orion. We will be discussing the golf outing fund raiser that we are sponsoring on June 28, 2008, at Oxford Hills C.C. The info for the golf outing is written further down on this blog. I believe there are still spots available for teams. Also on the agenda we will begin planning for our 17th annual Student Scholarship Award night which will take place on July 19, 2008, same location UAW Local 5960. Application deadline for the students is June 27, 2008. Any student interested, graduating from an Oakland County High School, should see their school counselor for an application or contact either myself at davidleemora@sbcglobal.net or our Recording Sec. Oscar Sanchez at OscarGarSan@aol.com . Thank you and we hope to see you there.

Taco All You Can Eat Fund Raiser

Sunday June 1st, 2008 was the last union meeting for the summer at UAW local 5960. So we decided to have a fund raising event for our chapter's educational fund by having an all you can eat taco lunch buffet. The food included soft and hard shell tacos, beans, rice, nachos and calabazita. We charged $7.00 a person and served between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. We raised over $200.00 for our efforts. Thank you to UAW local Pres. Pat Sweeney for allowing us to use the kitchen and have this fund raiser during their monthly membership meeting.
Pictured from Lt to Rt is Rose Klein, David Mora and Don Klein. Thank you Don and Rose for all your hard work and for spearheading this fund raising event.
Don Klein and Omar Rivera preparing some of the food. em, em!
The buffet is ready to go. Looks good!
Ex-Oakland Co. Chapter Pres. Henry Torres enjoys a bite before the crowd arrives. I would like to thank all those who came out and supported this event and for those who either bought food tickets or gave donations to our fund. Pictures were taken by Lorenzo Rivera, chapter Vice Pres.

Michigan "Right to Work" for less

State law makers renew their campaign to make Michigan a right- to- work state. Representatives Jacob Hoogendyk Jr's. (R-Portage) bill, HB 4454 would impact private sector workers and Representative Kevin Elsenheimer's (R-Bellaire) bill, HB 4455 would impact public employees. The bills have been referred to the House Labor Committee. If Michigan becomes a right-to-work state, we stand to see lower wages, less medical coverage, less health and safety standards and less likely to see any pension benefits. Remember, right- to- work for Michigan means right-to-work for less. Don't be fooled into signing any petitions or voting to make Michigan a right-to-work state.

Pictured are the winning students of our Cesar E. Chavez essay contest. We would like to thank Kristina Hawkins, President of the Mexican Mutual Society for allowing us to be apart of their Cinco de Mayo Fiesta celebration to award the students with their prizes. 6 students were selected. Pictured from left to right: Oakland County Chapter Pres. David Mora; Taylor Daugherty, 12 grade Clarkston High, Clarkston; Andres Torres, 7th grade West Middle School, Rochester Hills; Zarrick Sturgis, 6th grade Avondale Meadows Upper Elem. School, Auburn Hills; Ally Mayoral, 5th grade Walt Whitman Elem. School, Pontiac; Courtney Fellows, 3rd grade Walt Whitman Elem. School, Pontiac and Reshov Slater, 1st grade Walt Whitman Elem. School, Pontiac. Congratulations to all the students and we look forward to next year essay contest. The prizes can be read from the Sunday April 27, 2008 posting written below.

Beginning of Cesar Chavez March held on Saturday 3-29-08. The March began at Cesar Chavez Drive and continued to UM-Flint University Center, Happenings Room. Video provided by Oakland County Recording Sec. Oscar G. Sanchez.

Pictured attending the Cesar E. Chavez march held in Flint, Michigan on Saturday March 29,2008 is Baldemar Velasquez, President, Farm Labor Organizing Committee and our Oakland County Chapter Vice President and Member of the National LCLAA Executive Board, Lorenzo Rivera. This March was held in Honor of Cesar Chavez, to commemorate his birthday which is on March 31st. Photo taken by Oakland County Chapter Recording Sec. Oscar G. Sanchez.

In lieu of our annual Cesar E. Chavez march, held on his birthday, March 31st, we are sponsoring our first Cesar E. Chavez essay contest. This contest is open to all Oakland County students K-12. The contest criteria has been forwarded for distribution throughout the Oakland County School District. Deadline postmark date is April 28th. Six $25.00 cash awards, a gift certificate to the A+ Teachers store along with a certificate of recognition for each student will be presented to them on Cinco de Mayo.
Please join us for the essay award presentations at 7:30 pm May 5, 2008 as part of the Cinco de Mayo fiesta being held at the Mexican Mutual Society. 2165 Pontiac Rd., Auburn Hills, Mi. 248-373-9890. On the corner of Opdyke and Pontiac Rd.

Labor Council for Latin American Advancement

LCLAA
Oakland County Chapter

Benefit Golf Outing
Oxford Hills Golf Course
300 East Drahner Rd.
Oxford, MI 48371
June 28, 2008

Shotgun Starts at 9:00 a.m.

FIRST PLACE - $400.00

SECOND PLACE – Four Wind Shirts, donated by THE CLOTHING HUB
**Other Prizes for Closest-to-Pin and Longest Drive

4-Man Scramble
$60.00 per person & $240.00 Foursome
Contact(s) Lorenzo (248) 894-5768 or Art (248) 636-3199

DINNER TO FOLLOW AT:
The Mutual Mexican Society Club
2165 Pontiac Rd.
Auburn Hills, MI
**Fill out and Return Form Below-Accepting Applications through June 20, 2008


Registration Form
LCLAA Oakland County Chapter
1712 Wood Trail
Oxford, MI 48371
To be received by: June 20, 2008

1. Name:___________________________________________________________

2. Name:___________________________________________________________

3. Name:___________________________________________________________

4. Name:___________________________________________________________

Make checks payable to:
LCLAA Oakland County Chapter

Our 2008 Student Scholarship Awards Night will be held this year on July 19th at UAW local 5960. Applications are open to all High School Seniors of Hispanic descent. They must graduate from an Oakland County High School, and plan to enroll in college during the 2008 - 2009 school year. Applications are available through the High School counselors. Pictured, is our scholarship recipients from 2007.