An inaugural event to honor the late Martin Luther King, Jr. is
just a couple weeks away, and several locals are involved with the
effort.
An inaugural event to honor the late Martin Luther King, Jr. is set for Jan. 17, and several locals are involved with the effort.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast is set for 7:45 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Best Western Forrest Park Inn, in Gilroy at 375 Leavesley Road. The event’s proceeds are going toward the Bethany Youth Empowerment Center being established by Bethany Ministries.
Hollister attorney Elvira Zaragoza Robinson is on the Bethany Ministries committee organizing the prayer breakfast to honor the late civil rights leader.
She noted how the church had donated 1,000 square feet for the new program, which will include free activities for kids from low-income families. Robinson pointed out how someone had offered to teach Mexican folk dancing, and how Zeke Lopez from Bulldog Boxing in Hollister will donate time to teach as well.
Robinson said the overriding goal of the program is to provide a “positive alternative to gangs.”
Lopez said he takes part in such efforts because he feels he owes it to the community and he mentioned how he also had his share of problems in his younger days, leading to jail time.
“To me, it’s just a way of coming back to the community and helping kids understand what’s right and wrong,” he said.
The prayer breakfast to help kick-start the program will include an introduction from Bethany Pastor Gerald E. Harris. Gilroy Councilman Peter Arellano will present a proclamation from the city. A youth speaker, Anthony Bravo, will take the podium. And the keynote speaker scheduled to talk is Rolanda Pierre Dixon, an assistant district attorney for Santa Clara County.
Dixon, also a human trafficking liaison for the office, is the Santa Clara County office’s expert on domestic violence.
Tickets are $25 per person. For tickets or information, call (831) 635-9854.
