From artists to astronauts and writers to politicians, many great Hispanic history makers have inspired the world

September is National Hispanic Heritage Month, making it the perfect time to introduce the kiddos to historical figures who changed the world. After all, celebrating the contributions these Latinx and Hispanic heroes have made to our country helps us find unity in our diversity. This list includes social activists, scientists, and artists who have made a lasting impact.

Bianca Jagger

The Nicaraguan-born Bianca Jagger is a former actress and lifelong human rights activist.
photo: See Li from London, UK, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Nicaraguan-born Bianca Jagger is a former actress and lifelong human rights activist. She founded the human rights foundation that bears her name, which fights to support indigenous people, address climate change and end violence against women and girls. In 1981 she was part of a US congressional delegation that chased after a Honduran death squad to liberate 40 captured refugees.

Related: 22 Black Heroes Your Kids Should Know By Name

Jean-Michel Basquiat

LatinX hero Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American neo-expressionist artist of Haitian and Puerto-Rican descent, a Hispanic hero
photo: Galerie Bruno Bischofberger, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American neo-expressionist artist of Haitian and Puerto Rican descent. His art was overtly political, attacking systemic power structures and racism. This Latinx hero's work is still shown globally, years after his death, as the themes he tackled still feel relevant today.

Elizabeth Martinez

Hispanic hero Elizabeth Martinez is a writer, editor, publisher, social activist and feminist who helped define the Chicana movement
photo: Jerome Rainey, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth Martinez held many roles during her life—writer, editor, publisher, social activist, and feminist, to name but a few. She helped define the Chicana movement and was one of the early voices to discuss overlapping systems of oppression before the term intersectionality became mainstream. Martinez’s book 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures is widely taught in elementary and secondary schools.

 

Luis Alvarez

Luis Alvarez was a physicist and LatinX hero who worked on several World War II-era radar projects
photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Luis Alvarez was a physicist who worked on several World War II-era radar projects, including a system that helped guide planes used during the Berlin airlift of 1948. In 1968 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his development of the hydrogen bubble chamber.

Ellen Ochoa

Engineer Ellen Ochoa is a hispanic hero who made history as the first Latinx woman to go to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery
photo: NASA on The Commons / No restrictions via Wikimedia Commons

Engineer Ellen Ochoa is a hero who made history as the first Hispanic woman to go to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. She would later go on to become the first Latinx director of the Johnson Space Center. 

Franklin Chang-Diaz

Hispanic hero Franklin Chang-Diaz smiles from a control center in space
photo: NASA on The Commons / No restrictions via Wikimedia Commons

Franklin Chang-Diaz is a physicist who became the first male Hispanic-American astronaut selected by NASA to go into space. He flew seven space shuttle missions and worked on fusion propulsion projects with Mars mission applications.

Juan Felipe Herrera

A portrait of LatinX hero Juan Felipe Herrera, the 21st United States Poet Laureate from 2015 to 2017, in front of a hand-drawn background
photo: slowking, GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons

Juan Felipe Herrera was the 21st United States Poet Laureate from 2015 to 2017. His early experiences as a migratory farm worker in California have strongly influenced his creative works, such as 187 Reasons Mexicanos Can’t Cross the Border.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A portrait of LatinX hero Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress, in front of an American flag
photo: Franmarie Metzler; U.S. House Office of Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress. Her victory over Joe Crowley is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets of the 2018 midterm primaries. Since taking office, this Latinx hero has worked on issues around climate change and low-wage workers' rights.

Baruj Benecerraf

A black and white photo of LatinX hero and immunologist Baruj Benacerraf
photo: Unknown author / Public domain via National Institutes of Health, part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services

Baruj Benacerraf was an immunologist who uncovered the process that the immune system uses to identify which cells belong in our bodies, and which should trigger an immune response. He, Jean Dausset, and George D. Snell earned a Nobel Prize in 1980 for their discovery.

Sandra Cisneros

Sandra Cisneros, one of the first Mexican-American writers to be published by a mainstream publisher, discusses her latest work
photo: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Sandra Cisneros is a writer best known for her book The House on Mango Street. She is generally acknowledged as the first Mexican-American writer to be published by a mainstream publisher. She is a key Chicana literary figure both in Texas and among the Mexican diaspora.

Maribel Dominguez

Mexico-born soccer player Maribel Dominguez is out on the field playing a game
photo: Hmlarson, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Mexico-born soccer player Maribel Dominguez immigrated to the US in 2002 to play for the Kansas City Mystics and went on to play for the Chicago Red Stars during the 2013 season of the National Women’s Soccer League. She made international headlines in 2004 when she signed with Atletico Celaya (a men’s team in Mexico), but FIFA barred her from joining the club.

Jorge Ramos

Mexican-American journalist Jorge Ramos speaks in a crowd.
photo: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America / CC BY-SA via Wikimedia Commons

Jorge Ramos is a Mexican-American journalist for the Spanish-language news network Univision. Based in Miami, he is a trusted news source among the national Hispanic community. He earned the Walter Cronkite Award for excellence in television political journalism in 2017. 

Related: 81 Amazing Facts Every Kid Should Know

Nicole Hernandez Hammer

Climate-science advocate Nicole Hernandez Hammer gazes out the window while traveling
photo: NMHHE, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

In 1992, when she was only 16 years old, Nicole Hernandez Hammer lost her South Florida home to Hurricane Andrew. It was a defining moment that led Hammer to study climate science and sea-level rise, which can disproportionally affect Latinx communities. Hammer served as a climate science advocate at the Union of Concerned Scientists and her work was so prominent that she was First Lady Michelle Obama's guest at the 2015 State of the Union address. 

Raul Julia

A dramatic black and white shot of successful Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia
photo: movie studio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

For many, Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia was best known for his role as Gomez Adams of The Addams Family. But his acting career spanned both screen and theatre, earning him a nomination for the Tony Award and two nominations for the Golden Globe Award. He won a posthumous Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for his work in The Burning Season.

Sonia Sotomayor

A color portrait of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina to become a member of the US Supreme Court
photo: Sonia Sotomayor in SCOTUS robe.jpg: Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States, Steve Petteway sourcederivative work: Tktru, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sonia Sotomayor is the first Latina to become a member of the US Supreme Court. Born in the Bronx in New York, she self-identifies as Nuyorican—a member of the Puerto Rican diaspora located in New York City. She has written dissenting opinions on issues of racial and ethnic profiling.

Sylvia Mendez

a profile shot of LatinX her Sylvia Mendez speaking into a microphone
photo: US Department of Agriculture / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Sylvia Mendez is a Mexican-Puerto Rican American who played a key role in desegregating California schools. When the Westminster school district declined to admit the Mendez children into the local school due to their skin color, the family took the district to court. In the 1947 federal court case Mendez v. Westminster, the court ruled that forced segregation was unconstitutional, setting a precedent for ending segregation in the US.

Cesar Chavez

A black and white photo of LatinX hero Cesar Chavez
photo: Joel Levine, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Cesar Chavez is a Hispanic hero best known as the civil rights activist and labor leader who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association with fellow activist Dolores Huerta. His work led to the passing of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975, which granted farmworkers the right to collective bargaining. In 1994 he post-humously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Related: 4 New Inspiring Books to Read to Your Kids Right Now

 

Raffi Freedman-Gurspan

transgender rights activist Raffi Freedman-Gurspan speaks in front of an American flag and is known as one of our LatinX heroes
photo: US Department of Labor, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Raffi Freedman-Gurspan is a transgender rights activist. In 2015 she became the first openly transgender person to work as a White House staffer for President Barack Obama. Freedman-Gurspan has worked on criminal justice and incarceration reform, homeless shelter policies as well as other issues facing transgender people of color.

In an increasingly global world, having the ability to connect across languages and cultures is a beautiful thing!

There is a belief that being bilingual can only be achieved if a child begins to speak two languages simultaneously. I disagree. It’s a myth that you can’t be bilingual past a certain age. Although the ideal is to start learning languages in parallel, you can be bilingual by learning later as well.

I’m a Hispanic-American mother who was born and raised bilingual in Spanish and English here in the United States, while my parents are South American natives who have been in this country for over 30 years. Over the years, I’ve learned that you can learn a language and be bilingual if you study it in the right way.

Any child can be bilingual. And bilingual people not only have the advantage of knowing how to speak in another language, with the benefits that will accrue to the professional level but psychologically as well. Bilingual children are more creative, develop their brains differently, and have higher self-esteem.

How to Learn to Be Bilingual in Spanish and English

A safe bet is a total immersion in the language. Courses spoken in Spanish make it easier for children to get used to listening to another language, phonetics, and expressions and associating it with people who always speak to them in that language.

Children don’t have to resist speaking in English. It Is normal if they wish to communicate in the language with which they feel more comfortable. Don’t pressure them. If children feel pressured, they’ll end up blocking the language, making it harder for them to enjoy learning. A common mistake parents make is to press without realizing it. The typical “Tell me something in Spanish” when they pick you up after school can potentially have a negative effect.

It bears repeating: if a child feels pressured, they’ll end up blocking the language, and it will be more difficult for them to enjoy learning and therefore to learn.

On the other hand, the brain needs time to be able to jump into speaking another language. It’s like math. A child can’t learn to add without knowing anything about numbers first. Trying to get him or her to speak a new language on the first day of class is like forcing a kid to do math with three-figure sums while they are still learning the basics of single digits numbers.

Parents need to understand that learning a language takes a while. The first six months to a year of a child’s life are “the period of silence,” a necessary time during which the child can’t speak any language, but his brain is working. One day, all of a sudden, they’ll start building sentences correctly! I was so excited when this first happened, but I digress!

Simple Things Parents Can Do to Introduce Spanish to Their Kids

  • Watch TV and movies in Spanish: Many stations such as ABC, Netflix, and Disney have Spanish language options. Just change the language in the audio settings or switch to the dedicated Spanish language station. Movie night in Spanish can be fun for the whole family.
  • Find bilingual books: We can instill a love of reading in another language using bilingual books adapted to their age. Some libraries also have audiobooks that can be listened to at home, in the car, or before bedtime.
  • Find simple and fun activities to help reinforce learning: For example, if the school focuses on learning nouns for colors in Spanish, ask your child to call out the colors of buildings and signs on the way home.
  • Download apps in another language that children can use: Always make sure they are age appropriate of course.
  • Teach at Certain Times: Alternate between speaking English and Spanish on different days. These help keep the languages fresh and strengthen their ability to switch between languages once they grow older.
  • Teach by Specific Themes: Use a certain language to talk about something in particular. For example, if there’s a favorite Spanish language series that has now been adopted, always discuss it in Spanish.

Children’s minds can absorb a great deal of information while they are young, and it’s the best time to teach them a new language. My husband speaks five languages, and I’m always jealous of his ability to connect to so many people and cultures in so many parts of the world. During increasingly polarized and divisive times, sharing culture and language can help bring us all closer together.

Im a new Hispanic mother in the United States here to offer tips for new parents about the best products for their little ones.

Is your family drowning in stuff? We’ve all been there when our closets have been full, drawers were overflowing, and our garages hadn’t seen a car parked in there in years. Where did all of this stuff come from, and how do you get rid of it? While it does take some time, it is doable, and there are lots of nearby places to donate used toys, clothes and kid gear that are taking up much-needed space at your place. Here’s what you need to know.

Where to Start

If you already know what items need to go, you’re off to a great start. If not, it’s recommend that you go from room to room with three boxes or containers marked: “To Keep”, “To Throw Away” and “To Donate.” Tackle those piles by putting items in the appropriate box. You might need to make some tough decisions on what not to keep, but experts suggest that if you haven’t used it in over a year, it’s time to toss it.

Where to Donate

Goodwill

where to donate toys clothes
Goodwill Industries

Seattle Goodwill provides job training and education to help individuals overcome barriers to employment. They offer 30 donation centers making it really easy for families bringing in pre-sorted used goods. If you'd like to give new life to toys, clothes and other small items, this is the spot to do it. The process is pretty quick during the week, but you might experience a longer wait time during the weekend, so plan accordingly.

What used items to donate: Right now, Goodwill is taking clothing, accessories, shoes, toys, sporting goods, books (and other media), household appliances and items. Most locations are accepting furniture donations, but not all, so be sure to check the list before you go.

Find a nearby donation center here.

Westside Baby

Pixabay

Did you know food stamps don't cover diapers? Westside Baby provides diapers, clothing and other critical items to children and families throughout King County. In 2021, Westside Baby saw record-high need. They responded by distributing 2.5 million diapers, 1,600 car seats and over 2,000 bags of clothes. Consider helping out a new baby by adding a box of new diapers and wipes to your donation. Westside Baby has two drop-off locations that you can schedule a donation online. Drop-off locations are at South Lake Union on Mondays and White Center on Wednesdays, both from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

What used items to donate: Diapers, wipes, hygiene items (baby wash/shampoo, etc.), infant bathtubs, potty chairs, bouncy seats, winter clothing (especially 0-6 months), books, toys, shoes, bottles, baby-wearing carriers and diaper bags.

What NEW items to donate: Socks, underwear and formula (especially Similac).

Note: Westside Baby will not accept expired car seats and are not collecting furniture, changing tables, "exersaucers" or baby swings.

10002 14th Ave. S.W.
Seattle, WA 98146
206-767-1662

Habitat for Humanity ReStores

Pixabay

Simply put, Habitat for Humanity helps low-income families build their own homes and restore dignity. Their Habitat ReStores are home improvement stores that accept small and large donations of new or gently used furniture, appliances, housewares, building materials and more. Proceeds from the sales of these items help Habitat’s work in your community and around the world. Habitat ReStore staff and volunteers make the donation process as simple as possible. You can always donate goods in person, and many Habitat ReStores offer free pickup of large items. There is one very large ReStore in Tukwila near Southcenter. 

Seattle-King County ReStore
1185 Andover Park W.

TukwilaWA 98188
888-507-7078

Find a nearby donation center here.

St. Vincent de Paul

Pixabay

With thrift stores similar to the Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul also serves the community by running a food bank, programs for Veterans, basic health assessments, language and social services to the Hispanic community in King County and a case management program and call center to help individuals access social services. The charity is currently accepting donations at the Georgetown Kent, Kenmore, Burien, and Renton locations. Donations can be given Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (However, the Georgetown location does not accept donations on Saturdays). Make sure your items are in sellable condition—no rips, tears, stains or big scratches. When you arrive, you'll be asked to place your donation in wire-framed boxes, and you can download an e-receipt online for donations over $250.

What used items to donate: They're currently accepting clothing, electronic items and household items. Everything needs to be in good working order. Hard surface furniture donations (tables, wooden chairs, desks, etc.) our being accepted at the Kent, Kenmore, Burien, and Renton locations only.

Find a donation center nearest you here.

Eastside Baby Corner

where to donate toys clothes in Seattle
Eastside Baby Corner

Eastside Baby Corner provides direct assistance to local families challenged by job loss, homelessness, medical crisis and poverty. Each year they provide more than 8,000 clothing bags (each with a week's wardrobe) and more than 1,324 car seats to local families, keeping children safe and families comforted in their time of greatest need. Your donations won't gather dust here; items are matched to deserving families within a week of the item being requested.

What used items to donate: Clothing for children (birth through size 14), maternity clothing, baby gear, shoes, bottles, toys, diapers (new or opened packages), school supplies and books, blankets, bedding, towels, bicycles, and more. Check their website for the complete list of items.

Most needed items: Boy’s clothing: size 12-14, children’s pants sizes 2T-14, shoes (boy’s size 7C – 1Y and girl’s size 8C – 1Y), umbrellas, baby monitors, safety gates, safety locks, pajamas, towels, bedding (especially queen sheets and comforters of all sizes) and infant fleece blanket sleepers size NB-9 mos.

Note: EBC does not accept walkers with wheels, used nipples or pacifiers or those made in China, crib bumpers, open food or formula packages, flat fabric slings, sleep wedge, oral medication, toys with magnets, teethers containing gel or liquid, or made with wood, amber, marble or silicone. Other Items not accepted include toys bigger than a school backpack, adult clothing (except for maternity), ski equipment, electric breast pumps, humidifier/vaporizers, furniture, large train tables and stuffed animals longer than 12 inches. When in doubt, give them a call.

1510 N.W. Maple St.
Issaquah, WA 98027
425-865-0234

View all drop times and locations here

Treehouse

where to donate toys clothes in Seattle
Treehouse

This standout organization's mission is to "give foster kids a childhood and a future." Among the myriad of services Treehouse provides to youth in the foster care system is an awesome warehouse filled to the brim with new and like-new clothing, shoes, toys, school supplies and books. This is where the kids can go "shopping" (everything is free) for what they want and need. This is a particularly great choice if along with your toy donation, you have a fashion-conscious tween (or toddler for that matter) who has outgrown their stylish brands.

What used items to donate: Infant/toddler, kids and young adult clothing, shoes and basic accessories, luggage, books, toys and games.

What NEW items to donate: Socks, underwear, bras, swimwear, blankets, stuffed animals, school supplies (including lunch boxes and backpacks), hygiene items (including diapers and baby wipes), bikes, scooters and skateboards. Other ways to donate can be found online.

Note: Treehouse will not accept items that are worn and/or out of date – such as: clothing in poor condition, toys and games that are missing pieces, luggage that has broken straps, zippers, or wheels; furniture, mattresses, play structures, used baby equipment (car seats, pack-n-plays, strollers, etc.), electronics (video games, phones, DVDs, CDs, etc.), household Items (appliances, kitchenware, decorations, wall decor, pillows, bedding (sheets and comforters), etc., breast pumps or breast pump accessories, food, beverages, or baby formula.

2100 24th Ave. S., Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98144
206-767-7000

Drop-off Hours: Tue. & Thu., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment.

Northwest Center

Pexels

The Northwest Center has created schools and bustling social enterprises which demonstrate the powerful benefit of people of all abilities working together. Your toys will be used in one of their awesome early learning programs where children with and without developmental disabilities learn and play together. With two dozen drop off locations, this organization makes donating super easy. Currently, the Northwest Center Big Blue Trucks aren't making rounds for donation pick-ups, but families can still drop off clothing only in the Big Blue Bins. Find one near you online. You can also donate to Northwest Center at any Value Village store.

What used items to donate: They're currently accepting clothing donations in a Big Blue Bin.

7272 W. Marginal Way S.
Seattle, WA 98108
206-285-9140 

Mary's Place

where to donate toys clothes in Seattle
Mary's Place

This safe haven provides more than just the tangible needs of food and shelter for homeless families with children; Mary's Place also provides a community and a safety net for women and families looking to rebuild their lives and move back into housing quickly. They are always in need of gently used items and other items. They have donation stations in SODO (Mon.-Sat., 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Seattle Regrade (Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sat., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.). More information about each location and drop-off hours can be found online.

What new or used items to donate: Children's books, backpacks, tote bags, fanny packs, small suitcases, bottles, sippy cups, in-season clothing for men, women and kids, raincoats, towels, utensils, small appliances (microwaves, crock pots, toasters, blenders), digital ear thermometers, 

What NEW items to donate: Diapers (especially sizes 5 & 6), baby wipes, hand sanitizer, antibacterial hand wipes, individual tissue packets, alcohol wipes, cough drops, Pedialyte packets, pain relievers (Ibuprofen, aspirin), topical antibiotic ointments (like Neosporin or PolySporin), cough drops, hairbrushes, hair ties, body wash, ethnic hair care, lotion, Chapstick, razors, nail clippers, makeup, mouthwash, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Items with a high need: Twin sheets, blankets, pillowcases, auto shop gift certificates, maternity clothes, new underwear (all sizes - men, women and children), stroller covers and towels. Check online for the complete, most up-to-date list.

The Healing Center

Pixabay

As the only drop-in grief support center for youth (ages 4-18) in the area, The Healing Center fills an important gap in supporting kids who've experienced loss or trauma. The Healing Center also offers grief-support for adults, children and families as well as a day camp in the summer. The organization offers a unique, long-term, multi-faceted approach to grief support, combining group support with informal events and social networks.

Children’s programming supplies needed: Crayons, markers, colored pencil, coloring books, notebooks, board games, sketch book, Play-doh, model magic, beading supplies, watercolor supplies, washable kid's paint, construction paper, plain white paper and stickers.

Household supplies needed: Furniture (couches and chairs), lamps, side tables, office chairs and office desks.

Please contact donations@healingcenterseattle.org if you think you can help.

6409 1/2 Roosevelt Way N.E.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-523-1206
Online: healingcenterseattle.org

The Brick Recycler

Pexels

If you have a LEGO lover in your life who's ready to release his or her (millions) of LEGO bricks and figurines, do not put them in your normal "donate box." Organizations like the Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. will just throw them away if they're not in a complete set and if you try to recycle them, the city will sort them out and send them to the landfill. Give your LEGOs a new lease on life by sending them to the Brick Recycler. They will then send sets of LEGOs to schools in low-income areas, foster care programs, hospitals, and other organizations are also in need of LEGO sets but don’t have the money to buy them. You can ship them your mixed bag of LEGOs (for free if you ship via ground service including UPS Ground and FedEx Ground) and they'll sort and pass your bricks along to future builders. What a brick-tastic idea!

Address shipments to:
Brick Recycler c/o Guaranteed Express
652 N. King Rd.
San Jose, CA 95133

Online: brickrecycler.com

Before Donating, Please…

where to donate toys clothes in Seattle
Treehouse

Before you start your post-nap time stealth purge of the toy bin or (gasp!) before enlisting the kids in selecting a few of their treasures to share with a child in need, here are a few tips for donating used toys:

1. Make your donations count by only offering items that are truly "gently used" and in good working order. Almost all organizations will throw away broken, stained or otherwise unusable toys, clothes or other donations, including toys missing any of their parts. St. Vincent de Paul estimates their annual garbage bill at over $60,000 because of unsellable items that include things like shirts with stains or broken zippers or puzzles with missing pieces. Hint: Local subscription service, Ridwell is a great place to threadcycle non-wearable clothing.

2. Don't donate toys or items that have been recalled. Those drop-side cribs are a no-no, even if it was a gorgeous family heirloom that all your kiddos slept safely in.

3. Put fresh batteries in automated toys. Or include a new pack of batteries with your donation.

4. Sort your donations. Though it isn't a requirement, it really helps the donation stations process donations when items are pre-sorted. For an example, place all clothing in one bag and shoes in another. 

5. Double check on questionable items. Plush animals are frequently not accepted due to allergens. Big-ticket items like play furniture or outdoor play equipment may not be accepted as many organizations don't have room to store these biggies, so you might want to give your local organization a call before you haul it over there. (Don't stress! We have some options below for such cases.)

6. Don't forget to ask for a receipt. Most places will give you a tax deduction for your donation, so ask for a receipt!

—Jeffrey Totey, Kristina Moy & Katie Gruver

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Cinco de Mayo celebrations will happen a little differently this year. At a time when we are all practicing social distancing, Tostitos is reminding us not to forget the good stuff. The brand will aid COVID-19 relief efforts while still providing a small break and moment of levity May 5 is traditionally known for.

Salsa for Cinco

Tostitos is hosting “Salsa for Cinco,” a free online salsa dancing class for the entire country, directed by dance aficionados Mario and Courtney Lopez, to raise money for the Hispanic community. Tostitos and the Lopez family have partnered with UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, to raise awareness about the impact coronavirus is having on the Latino community.

“The entire world is in need of moments of levity and reminders to savor those little moments of joy during these trying times,” said Mario Lopez, a former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant and salsa dance enthusiast who often partners with his wife, Courtney Lopez, a classically trained Broadway dancer and actress. “At the same time, we need to raise awareness about the Hispanic population who has been hit incredibly hard during this crisis. This serves as a great opportunity to do both.”

The salsa dance is slated for 7 p.m. ET Tuesday, May 5, on Mario Lopez’s Instagram Live page. No preparation or previous experience needed. Participants just need to bring their enthusiasm and optimism to dance for an important cause.

“Tostitos and Frito-Lay are all about encouraging people to get together and smile, so to be able to do that in any small way possible, and more importantly while shining a light on the inequities in the Latino community — that’s what this event stands for,” said Marissa Solis, SVP of marketing and a leader among Frito-Lay North America’s Hispanic outreach efforts. “I look forward to America tuning in to help the cause.”

“UnidosUS is excited to partner with Tostitos and our dear friend Mario Lopez to raise awareness of the devastating impact COVID-19 has on the Latino community, and commit valuable resources for families in need,” said Zandra Zuno Baermann, SVP of Communications and Marketing at UnidosUS. “Salsa for Cinco gives us a moment to move and connect with community while remaining at home and staying safe for our families, our neighbors, and our country.”

Ahead of the event, Mario shared his family’s favorite recipe that he’ll be cooking up this Cinco de Mayo – the Tostitos Kickoff Dip. The fast and easy recipe has a flavorful blend of salsa, beans, jalapenos, sour cream and cheese, and is a go to his family especially loves to make around football season.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Tostitos

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