Los Angeles, Calif. – Sept. 14, 2010 – In honor of the Mexican Bicentennial, Avocados from Mexico has made a $15,000 donation to the Center for Diabetes at (WMMC), a not-for-profit, community hospital which provides a full range of services to communities in and around downtown Los Angeles. The donation was made by Avocados from Mexico Board Chairman Ricardo J. Vega Lopez at the Mexican Independence Parade in East Los Angeles. Ruth Pupo, Diabetes Educator, and her student, Nathaniel Anaya accepted the donation on behalf of WMMC in front of attendees, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Nearly 50,000 people in the East Los Angeles area have type 2 diabetes. One in seven Latinos — and one in four Mexican-Americans over the age of 45 — are diabetic. It is an epidemic that has serious health and economic consequences for those afflicted.
The donation will provide critical funding for two desperately needed additional sessions of WMMC Center for Diabetes’ Healthy Eating Lifestyle Program (HELP), a pediatric obesity management program. The seven-week program is specifically designed to help children ages 5-12 and their families adopt healthy eating and lifestyle habits. The Avocados from Mexico donation will double the existing program size.
Through fun, interactive activities, participants learn how to make healthier food choices, integrate exercise into their everyday activities, and reduce their weight and body fat. Clinical data is collected and reported to monitor participants’ progress. The donation also will fund real life grocery store tour field trips for HELP participants. This vital education process helps bring nutrition to life and provides participants with the necessary information to make wise shopping decisions in their daily lives.
“Mexico and our people have a rich history and culture that we are thrilled to honor at the Bicentennial. During this time, we should celebrate not only our past, but our future,” said Ricardo J. Vega Lopez, Avocados from Mexico. “Avocados from Mexico believes that everyone in our community should live a healthy and full life. By partnering with White Memorial, we are able to help reach at-risk families and ensure a brighter future for many.”
“In the community served by White Memorial, one out of every four children in grades 5, 7 and 9 are obese,” said Ruth Pupo of WMMC. “With this financial assistance from Avocados from Mexico, we are able to significantly expand our efforts to improve the nutrition and lifestyle habits of local children and their families and potentially decrease the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.”
Avocados from Mexico Celebrates at the Mexican Independence Parade
Avocados from Mexico was an official sponsor of the Mexican Independence Parade in East Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 12. The organization’s involvement included a 24-foot float, designed by award-winning Fiesta Parade Floats, featuring Miss Avocado and Mexican avocado exporters from Michoacan. To highlight Avocados from Mexico’s focus on healthy eating, more than 15,000 avocados were given away to attendees at the parade festival. Guacamole made with avocados from Mexico was the official snack of the parade’s VIP area.
“Avocados from Mexico are a part of the rich cultural background that is being celebrated during the Bicentennial,” said Ricardo J. Vega Lopez , Avocados from Mexico. “We are proud to give back to the community as part of the festivities.”
200 Faces, 200 Years Historic Bicentennial Photo
In addition to the Sept. 12 events, Avocados from Mexico, in partnership with the Mexican Consulate of Los Angeles, is planning a historic photograph on Sept. 16 featuring 200 Mexicans and Mexican-Americans who share Mexico’s anniversary. The photo will be taken by renowned Mexican photographer Lourdes Almeida, whose work has been featured in major museums around the world, on Plaza Olvera, located within the El Pueblo Historic Monument in Los Angeles. The photo will serve as a historical account of the Bicentennial in Los Angeles and will be reprinted and donated to cultural institutions and local organizations.
Source: Avocados From Mexico