FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Chicago, IL) The Fiesta del Sol Guadalupe A. Reyes Scholarship Program has celebrated over a decade of awarding scholarships to students from the Southwest side of the city, and beyond. The Scholarship Program offers students $1,500 for college expenses and $700,000 has been given to over 450 students. The deadline to submit the application is Friday February 24, 2012. Fiesta del Sol has given scholarships to underprivileged Latino youth for 16 years.

Our goal is to raise forty scholarships through various fundraising events, and with the support of “Madrinas and Padrinos,” (individual supporters) that will purchase one scholarship each.

On Wednesday March 21, 2012 – in partnership with Habanero Communications, Fiesta del Sol will hold a fundraiser at Al Teatro Ristorante (1227 W. 18th Street Chicago, IL 60608) while we also celebrate the Birthday of Benito Juarez. There will be networking at 6:30pm and dancing from 9pm—2am.

On April 22, 2012 Fiesta del Sol leadership will be raising funds for scholarships through the Recorrido del Sol 5K Walk/Run. The Recorrido del Sol will create opportunities for runner involvement in an effort to raise funds for the Fiesta del Sol Scholarship. For more information about sponsorship levels, visit: http://fiestadelsol.org/recorrido-del-sol-5k-walkrun/.

In addition, Pilsen Neighbors Community Council is running the Chicago Marathon. Each runner is to raise money for scholarships and we are currently seeking fellow runners to join our team. For more information, please call 312-666-2663.
The scholarship winners will be announced in the month of July and will be invited to attend our VIP Opening Reception and Scholarship Awards Ceremony taking place Thursday July 19, 2012.

Samuel de La Rosa, former scholarship recipient and volunteer said, “For four years, PNCC has supported my efforts to pursue a degree by electing me as a recipient of the Guadalupe A. Reyes Scholarship. Such efforts are made possible with the commitment of a great team that fundraises to offer scholarships to Latino students.”

About Pilsen Neighbors Community Council (PNCC) and Fiesta del Sol: Fiesta del Sol is Pilsen Neighbors Community Council’s (PNCC) primary fundraising event to underwrite its community organizing and service programming throughout the year. PNCC is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Pilsen in Chicago, Illinois. The family-friendly festival draws over 1 million visitors during the four day event, every year. Fiesta del Sol is the largest festival in the Midwest, bringing: live entertainment, local art, a variety of food, carnival rides, a children’s area, educational resources for parents and youth, soccer games and much more.

Media Contact: Alma Campos, alma@pilsenneighborts.org, 312-666-2663.

The 39th Annual Fiesta del Sol was a great success! A special  thanks to all who made it happen: community leaders, volunteers, vendors, sponsors and friends.  The Chicago Police Department estimated the attendance of over 1.3 million people this year!

If you took a photo at our booth, look for it on Facebook.

Fiesta VIP Soiree

A big thanks to our future “Padrinos and Madrinas” (Sponsors) of Fiesta del Sol for 2012, and to all who were able to attend this special event! Padrinos and Madrinas commit to investmenting in Fiesta del Sol’s Scholarship Fund, becoming a sponsor for a specifc cause and more. If you are interested in becoming a Padrino or Madrina for Fiesta del Sol’s 40th Birthday in 2012, please give us a call at: 312-666-2663 for more details. To find the photo you took, look for it on Facebook.

Congrats, 2011 Fiesta de del Sol scholars!

Fourteen students were awarded a scholarship through the Guadalupe A. Reyes Scholarship Fund. Fiesta del Sol has given over $700, 000 in scholarships for over a decade. Thanks to all who make possible that students with need pay for their college education.

Thanks to our 2011 Scholarship Sponsors:
All Around Amusements, Alivio Medical Center, BAO Multicultutal Orchestration, Midwest Generation, Nielsen, State Farm Insurance, and US Cellular.

Pilsen Neighbors Community Council (PNCC) unveiled Fiesta del Sol’s new logo, on Tuesday May 24, 2011, as part of a rebranding initiative to celebrate forty years in 2012.

We believe this new visual identity beautifully reflects Fiesta del Sol as a symbol of tradition, culture, and community organizing. In addition, this year’s theme: “Inspired by the past, working for the future,” successfully evokes our work in the past, and excitement and hope of what is to come.

(more…)