LULAC Hosts its Second Annual Latinos Living Healthy Feria de Salud in Los Angeles

September 30, 2014

Contact: Paloma Zuleta

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of its Latinos Living Healthy Initiative, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) hosted a successful second annual health festival in Los Angeles, California. The event was able to take place thanks to the generous contribution of our sponsors, which include presenting sponsor the Walmart Foundation, official festival airline Southwest Airlines, and other sponsors AARP, City of Hope, California Endowment, Nielsen, Anthem Blue Cross WellPoint and the American Red Cross.

Over 13,000 Californians attended LULAC’s Feria de Salud in Los Angeles, where articipants benefitted from a variety of free health services that included free health screenings for osteoporosis, HIV, and high blood pressure. Attendees also had access to free testing for glucose and cholesterol levels as well as bone marrow typing. In addition, children under 6 years also were able to have free dental screenings.

“LULAC has taken the traditional Latino festival and turned it into a day of family fun focused on healthy eating and living,” said LULAC National Executive Director Brent Wilkes. “Our health festivals include activities that are designed to promote healthy living which the entire family can enjoy.”

The event featured healthy foods, physical exercise and wellness education. Also, the Volunteers of East Los Angeles (VELA), a local non-profit, focused on bringing access to nutritional resources to East LA by organizing a farmers market.

The health fair included top line Latino entertainers such as Jose Jose, who signed autographs, Trio Ellas and Vilma Diaz y la Sonora. Additional entertainment included Aztec Dancers Xipe, Norteño group Diferente Nivel, Mariachi Alma de Acero, and Folklor Pasion Mexicana.

In addition, the well-known Chef Aaron and Karla Vasquez presented healthy Latino food options with a live demonstration. Children participated in sports drills with the LA Kings Hockey Team and kept active by participating in Zumba classes.

To date, LULAC has successfully organized Latinos Living Healthy Feria de Salud events in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Washington, D.C. and San Antonio, Texas.

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.