HOLA Of Garden City--A Hispanic Organization Of Latin Awareness

HOLA Spanish Classes HOLA of Garden City, Inc.is a non for profit organization founded 3 years ago by a group of Hispanic women of Garden City dedicated to making new friends, exchanging ideas, performing charity work, and preserving the Spanish language and culture. Our membership continues to grow each year due to the wonderful friends we have made. There are many more friends in our community and we invite you to join us and learn what we are all about. Our meetings are held monthly at the Garden City Library, for information please call HOLA at 516 - 280-0397. We would like to share some recent activities:

First Annual Fundraiser

This year, HOLA's calendar of events started off with our first fundraiser held on October 20th at the Brookville Country Club. We would like to thank our charity committee chairpersons Sophia Brivio, Pat Elustondo and Catherine Gardyn for organizing this event. Working with mercyFirst, HOLA's first fundraiser was held to help a little Salvadorian girl diagnosed with late stage cancer over a year ago. Presently, this little girl and her family are residing at the Ronald McDonald house at L.I.J. Schneider Children's Hospital. The success of this event surpassed our expectations and we are so grateful to all who attended and for their generosity. We would also like to thank Senator Kemp Hannon for taking time in his very busy schedule to honor us with his visit that night. A wonderful time was had by all, for a very worthy cause.

The HOLA Breakfast at the Garden City Hotel Annual Christmas Event

On December 8, HOLA of Garden City held its third annual Christmas Party. Dr. Jorge Gardyn with his lovely wife Catherine graciously hosted the event in their home. As always, the sumptuous feast was a collaboration of all who attended. Our members had the opportunity toenjoyfood from many different countries, great music and the company ofgood friends. The children participated in what is now our traditional gingerbread house decorating contest, and enjoyed a surprise visit from Santa Claus, which is always the hit of the evening. All members, young and old, look forward to this yearly event!

HOLA members & friends at the Christmas Party Spanish Classes

Thanks to our member, Yvette Rooney, HOLA continues to offer Spanish classes for the children in the community from kindergarten to fifth grade. We embrace the notion that the younger a child learns a language the greater the benefits. The classes are held in the afternoons at the Stewart School. Registration for the Spring session is underway. For information please contact HOLA at 280-0397 or email us at hola.spanishclass@yahoo.com.

Annual Breakfast

At the start of each new year, HOLA holds its Annual Breakfast to welcome its new members. On February 2ndat the Garden City Hotel the ladies of HOLA enjoyed a delightful breakfast, and great conversation with new friends.

Still to come...

HOLA's Annual Family Picnic in June brings all the families together before the summer vacation. It is well attended by its members and a great time is had by the children with games, crafts, piñata, great food and music. For the first time, HOLA will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo (May 5th). It promises to be a festive evening. Stay tuned.

Attending the HOLA Christmas Party 2006 were Patricia Elustondo, Nilda Fumuso, Ada Newmann and Janet Volpe We have evening events and programs throughout HOLA's calendar year. Join us at any of our meetings.

HOLA Christmas Party 2006: Yvette Rooney with Host Dr. Jorge Gardyn HOLA husbands & friends at the Christmas Party Kids working on their gingerbread houses at the Christmas Party