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04/29/2008 Archived Entry: "Local Hero Leverages Celebrity to Help Latino Community on May 9"
Local Hero Leverages Celebrity to Help Latino Community on May 9
Press Release
John “The Quietman” Ruiz announced today that he will be Centro Latino’s celebrity spokesperson. The 6’2”, 238-pound 2-time World Boxing heavyweight champion, the first and only heavyweight Latino boxing champion, will fly in to attend Centro Latino’s premier fundraising event at Anthony’s of Malden. Ruiz will be signing autographs and auctioning signed boxing gloves and a rare black robe he used in his last fight on March 8, 2008, in Cancun, Mexico against Jameel McCline.
“I’m at a good place in my life. At every crossroad of my life and career, I’ve always returned to my roots in Boston. I’m looking forward to seeing all my old friends from Chelsea , where I grew up. I’m excited to return home, especially to support a great cause such as Centro Latino. I want to send a message to all Latinos that we must build our collective Latino identity by giving back to our communities,” the soft-spoken Ruiz said.
“I want to be a positive role model to our young Latino kids. You must have goals. My goal was to become the first Latino heavyweight world champion. The climb up was hard and tough. My advice is to keep sight of your own goals and pursue it - with discipline, determination, and tenacity. It’s not where you grow up. But what you do with your life. If I can do it, so can every Latino kid,” Ruiz counseled.
May 9, 2008 marks the date Centro Latino de Chelsea will be celebrating 19 years of service to the community. Through a rich program that includes education, computer literacy, citizenship classes, after-school youth programs, and community health services, Centro Latino has grown to become one of the largest and best-known Latino-directed community center in Massachusetts since its inception in 1989.
All proceeds from the event will directly benefit the vital community services that Centro Latino provides to more than 5,000 individuals every year. Event tickets @ $50 include a full dinner buffet and a live Latino band. Call Betty at (617) 884-3238 x 206 for more information.
