In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Cooney & Conway employees came together for an office luncheon, and raised over $400 for charity in the process. The funds will benefit San Jose Obrero Mission, a local organization that provides shelter, life skills coaching, and support to families and individuals in need.
For a donation on May 5, C&C staff members were invited to indulge in a feast of Mexican delights including tacos, enchiladas, frijoles, rice, guacamole, chips and salsa. The firm’s partners underwrote the cost of the event, which was catered by Mexican restaurant Uncle Julio’s.
The idea for the charity luncheon came to C&C’s Administrative Director, Maribeth White, just in time for the Cinco de Mayo holiday, which celebrates Mexico’s victory over France in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla.
“Since this holiday is particularly important to people of Mexican heritage, it seemed appropriate that our event would benefit an Hispanic organization,” White said.
And with that, she selected San Jose Obrero Mission, which was founded 34 years ago. The San Jose Obrero Mission focuses on providing service to homeless people in Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods. By offering interim housing, guidance, career coaching and support, the mission seeks to equip people with skills that will help get them back on their feet during times of need.
“When I read what they are doing for the community in Pilsen, I knew I found a fit,” White explained. “They are dedicated not only to providing emergency services to individuals and families but ultimately to help people transition from assistance to independence – a liberation from poverty. We all can embrace that.”