Monte Cristo Center benefits from student organization outreach

October 27, 2011
39
1262
Campus

By Victor MoralesTwo university student groups affiliated with the School of Business are sponsoring the Tejano October Fest at Rosedale Park Oct. 30, an event that brings popular Tejano bands to benefit the nonprofit organization Monte Cristo Center, 19931 S US Highway 281, according to an event flyer.

The American Marketing Association and the MBA Association & Future Global Leaders Coalition will host booths from noon-11 p.m.

The MBA & FGLC will sell sodas, said Marie Valentin, treasurer for the MBA Association and Future Global Leaders Coalition. Valentin is co-founder of the Monte Cristo Center, with her husband, Celestino Valentin.

Lorena Moreno, AMA president, said the club created the flyer for the event in exchange for a booth. The clubs will offer face painting and a variety of children’s activities.

“It will be a carnival atmosphere,” she said. In addition to music, there will be a children’s costume contest at 4 p.m. and an adult contest at 9 p.m.

All proceeds collected by the student groups’ booths will go directly to their organizations, Moreno said.

She said the organizations will use the proceeds to help their members attend seminars and national meetings with other university chapters.

Proceeds and food donated by Tejano Octover Fest will go toward supporting the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Lean on Me Campaign hosted Nov. 17 by the Monte Cristo Center, Moreno said.

The Monte Cristo Center was founded by husband and wife Celestino and Marie Valentin, nonprofit co-founders, Texas A&M-San Antonio graduate students majoring in business administration and the president and treasurer for the MBA Association & Future Global Leader Coalition.

Valentin said he was pleased to be able to offer student groups the opportunity to get hands on practice with service learning.

“Different university organizations are helping the event as a way to do community service,” he said.

Tejano groups headlining the event include Ruben Ramos, La Tropa F and Grupo Vida.

The event is hosted by former Miss Venezuela and “Survivor: Fiji” contestant Rita Verreos.

Admission is free in exchange of one canned food item. All proceeds, excluding the two student booths and the canned foods collected from the event, benefit the Monte Cristo Center.

For more information, visit http://montecristocenter.bbnow.org/index.php or call (210) 626-9400.