Keeping Mexican culture alive
CSEA member celebrates his heritage through events, donations
When people immigrate to the United States, it’s sometimes difficult to hold on to the vibrant traditions that are part of their culture. Hector Pelayo, a mechanic and president of Ocean View Chapter 599, wants to make sure that people of Mexican decent in his hometown of Oxnard have a way to embrace the rituals that are part of their tradition.
Americans are familiar with Cinco De Mayo celebrations. How-ever, people in Mexico have many more festivities throughout the year that reflect their pride in culture, family
and history. Pelayo, president and founding member of Comité Cultural Mexicano, said that these other celebrations are observed in Oxnard.
“We have to keep our traditions and our culture alive,” Pelayo said. “We like to bring a little bit of Mexico to peoples’ backyards.”
Some of the Mexican holidays Pelayo and his seven-year-old organization sponsor include the Day of the Dead, Mexican Flag Day, Posadas in December and Mexican Independence Day.
Perhaps the biggest celebration the Comité Cultural Mexicano sponsors is Mexican Independence Day in September. Each year, the event is highlighted by floats, cultural presentations and a beauty pageant. This year, Association President Rob Feckner was invited to crown the pageant winner.
Pelayo said that the youth participating in the Mexican Independence parade receive scholarship money for their involvement.
“We give the money directly to the school they’ll be attending,” Pelayo said. “Usually we give them between $1,000 and $2,000 depending on how much we’ve raised.”
Putting on an event of this magnitude takes a lot of work. Pelayo said that to sponsor a parade that will attract thousands of spectators, the Comité Cultural Mexicano has to work year-round to raise funds and recruit volunteers.
“I enjoy each parade and there is something unique and different about each event,” Pelayo said. “We put a lot of time into them, but when you get up on that stage and see people having fun, it really is worth all of the effort.”
Pelayo’s work isn’t all about providing fun and entertainment. His organization is also active in fundraising efforts to help people in Mexico who are in need of assistance or who have been affected by a natural disaster.
When floods submerged the Mexican state of Tabasco last year, the Comité Cultural Mexicano stepped up to help. The group held a donation drive and collected more than $24,000 in aid.
“It’s really enjoyable to see people responding to your call,” he said. “It’s great to see the field workers give you what they have and more in donations.”
Pelayo and his group went to Tabasco to deliver the aid. “We went there about 100 days after the flood and went door to door to deliver the goods to the people,” he said. “The people were very grateful. That’s what I enjoy the most. We’re able to help and people respond with their donations.”