Lebanon Valley College to Support Local Earthquake Relief Efforts with Chilean Banquet

Banquet to be held Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. in Mund College Center

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ANNVILLE, PA (09/01/2010)(readMedia)-- Lebanon Valley College's first-ever Hispanic Heritage Month will offer a unique opportunity to learn about Chilean culture while supporting relief efforts related to the 2010 Chile earthquake. The banquet, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m. in the Mund College Center, will feature live music, Cueca dancing, Chilean foods, and a presentation about current relief efforts.

Much like the Fourth of July in the United States, "El Diez y Ocho de Septiembre" marks the beginning of Chile's independence from the Spanish Empire. LVC's banquet in recognition of the day will feature empanada de pino (an appetizer of savory beef in pastry), porotos verdes (a salad featuring green beans), anticucho (marinated shish kabobs), pastel de choclo (corn and meat casserole), casuela (a unique combination of chicken, rice, corn and other vegetables), and drinks. For dessert, selva negra (black forest cake) and flan will be served to each table during the second half of the 75-minute program. A group of Lebanon County residents of Chilean heritage will mark the celebration with live Cueca dancing and music.

Tickets cost $12.00 each for general admission and $30 for a family with children. LVC students may come for meal exchange. Space is limited. For reservations, call the Office of Spiritual Life at (717) 867-6135 by Tuesday, Sept. 14.

All proceeds from the event will benefit ongoing relief efforts for earthquake victims in Chile. The earthquake, rating a magnitude of 8.8 on the moment magnitude scale and lasting 90 seconds, occurred off the coast of the Maule Region of Chile on Feb. 27, 2010. Since that time, staff and members of Lebanon-based Messiah Ministry have been at work to rebuild several homes in the area. A short presentation about their efforts in Chile will be a highlight of the evening. Community participation at this celebration of Chilean Independence Day will help to support their continued efforts to rebuild.

For more information about the program, contact the Office of Spiritual Life at (717) 867-6135. Contact Stacy Stroup, Catering Manager, at (717) 867-6850 or stroup@lvc.edu for information about the Chilean foods to be served. Prof. Ivette Guzman-Zavala (717) 867-6254; guzman@lvc.edu) will answer questions related to the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at Lebanon Valley College. Information about Messiah Ministry is available by e mailing Micky Gonzalez at mick@mesias.cl or visiting www.messiahministry.us. Contact student Jimmy Kroll at jtweks@gmail.com for information about LVC's Disaster Relief Coalition.