Hispanic Week: My view
Another week-long celebration has ended and I want to make a promise to the organizers, I will not attend the VIP Luncheon next year.
They always get the same criticism each year and don’t seem to learn. I remember when it was a huge event with all major industries in the area would buy a table and probably half of those in attendance were not even Latinos. They enjoyed the music and food but complained that it was too long and they had to go back to work. As a result, many of them would leave before having lunch.
Then, it was held in the evening with a banquet and a live orchestra. Big success although we began to notice the absence of companies that attended the noon-time luncheon. Even the ad book, which is a source of revenue, is suffering the absence of large corporations that used to contribute.
But, getting back to this year’s VIP Luncheon which was scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Lawrence Elks. The usual ceremonies of introducing the Marshalls, the Board of Directors started even before the bulk of the public began arriving. People know how it works and they come closer to eating time and avoid the speeches. By the way, the food was great!
Among the speeches, the Dana Farber Hospital doctor in honor of the children suffering from cancer did a detailed presentation that would have been ideal for some other type of gathering. It lasted 35 minutes and when she was finished, we were called to the buffet tables.
While we were enjoying (finally!) the food, Marisa Melendez, who could not stop barking on the microphone, came up with the idea of a cash collection for Dana Farber and give it to the doctor. Someone should teach her not to yell and scream on the mic. When she explained that she could not accept it, Marisa announced that it would be sent to the Jimmy Fund. I questioned President José Arnaldo Dávila if that should have been planned ahead of time and approved by a board vote. He admitted that it should have been done that way. I never had any confidence in cash contributions, particularly being done that way.
I will continue contributing to Hispanic Week by covering all of their events and announcements, but I will not expose myself to the torture of another VIP Luncheon. I’ll only send them a check.
