Milwaukee Fundraiser For César E. Chavez Lifesize Bronze Statue Draws Crowd Of Supporters

The César E. Chávez lifesize bronze statue will be unveil this Summer in Milwaukee's Southside.

By H. Nelson Goodson 

Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 26, 2015

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, the S. César E. Chávez Drive Business Improvement District (BID) #38 held their fundraiser to promote and raise donations for their lifesize bronze statue of the late United Farm Workers leaders, César E. Chávez. Julio Maldonado, the executive director for the Chávez Drive BID #38 confirmed, that the fundraiser raised $5,150 and 125 people attended the event. BID #38 has raised nearly $40K for the cost of the $40K statue.

The City of Milwaukee, Zilber Family Foundation and El Rey Foods have pledged $10K each, according to an itinerary flyer provided at the event that took place at the Mangos Tropical Bar and Grill on Chávez Drive. 

The fundraising event was hosted by Julio Maldonado, Christella Juarez Cielo, Ivan Gamboa, Ian Bautista, Victor Huyke, Lupe Martinez, State Representatives JoCasta Zamarripa and Josh Zepnick, Milwaukee County Board Chair Supervisor Marina Dimitrijevic, Milwaukee County Supervisor Peggy West and Alderman José G. Pérez.

The Chávez bronze statue will be unveil this Summer in front of El Rey Foods, 900 S. César E. Chávez Drive.

Anyone donating up to $500 will get a miniature size Chávez statue while supplies last. On March 31, a ceremony commemorating César E. Chávez will take place at noon at the Milwaukee City Hall Rotunda. Cake and music will be featured with guest speakers, including Alderman José G. Pérez, Mayor Tom Barrett and members of the BID #38.

The Chávez bronze statue is part of a three year FARM Project to promote small business economic growth in the 12th Aldermanic District that will include a rich cultural environment for tourists, a consumer retail, food and art base attraction to the heart of the Latino community.

Milwaukee will become the 8th location in the U.S. to unveil a Chávez lifesize bronze statue in the country.

Other Chávez lifesize bronze statue locations are:

● University of Texas - Austin

● Phoenix, Arizona

● San Fernando, California

● Sacramento, California

● California State University - Fresno

● Riverside, California

● California State University - San Marcos

Sponsors, businesses and organizations involved:

• City of Milwaukee
• Clark Square Neighborhood Initiative
• Jazele Art Studios
• Journey House/Board members
• Latino Arts
• LISC
• Newaukee
• United Community Center
• Ivan Gamboa, President of the César E. Chávez Drive BID #38

• Christella Juarez Cielo, FARM events coordinator
• Olivia Villareal, El Rey Holdings, Inc.
• United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS)
• Roberto Hernández Center UW-Milwaukee
• Milwaukee Arts Board
• Milwaukee Shines
• Milwaukee Urban Gardens

• Zilber Family Foundation
• Wisconsin Bike Federation
• César E. Chávez National Foundation

• La Casa de Esperanza

Media/publicity sponsor:

• Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

For information, contact Julio Maldonado, the Executive Director of the César E. Chávez Drive BID #38 at e-mail: cesarchavezmkebid38@gmail.com