Cesar Chavez Day is observed on Friday, March 31, and there are multiple events and groups honoring the civil rights activist in the Valley this year.
Chavez’s formal education ended after 8th grade so he can help his family work the fields. When he noticed the working conditions were an injustice for the migrants looking to support their own families, that adversity helped shape his legacy to serve those who he felt deserved an equal opportunity.
On Wednesday, March 29, Arizona Coyotes team president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez and staff are taking part in a volunteer day to benefit local charities.
The Coyotes said local non-profits like Hope for the Homeless, Tempe Community Action Agency, Tempe Centers for Habilitation, and ACCEL were among the groups receiving attention through the event.
“Cesar Chavez wasn’t only about his community, it’s how we exist in a broader community,” said Nadia Rivera, the chief impact officer for the Arizona Coyotes.
At Tempe Community Action Agency, the food grown in their community garden, goes right back out to the Valley tables.
“Now we’re talking about nutrition, which are directed impacted by health incomes and education outcomes,” said Rivera.
A common motto for Chavez is ‘Si Se Puede’ which means "Yes, it can be done."
That was the mantra for the work done for Hope for the Homeless by building hundreds of support bags
Over at ACCEL, a non-profit that provides special education services for grade school and adults, volunteers helped put together a new playground and plant a few crops of beauty out front.
Like Chavez, the work done along his legacy helps ordinary people do extraordinary things.
“We don’t want to worry about what they can't do, here at ACCEL we want to worry about what they can do. Let’s put a voice to that. Let's put pride behind work you’re doing,” said Jonathan Evans of ACCELL.
RELATED: Who was Cesar Chavez? The impact and legacy he left behind
On Thursday, March 30, the Cesar Chavez Community Center is opening in Laveen Village. The center is 34,000 square feet with a fitness center, basketball court, kitchen, sensory room, outdoor movie theater, and more.
Chavez’s grandson, Andres Chavez, is expected to be at the grand opening with city leaders Thursday morning.
From 3 to 8 p.m., an open-house event will allow the public to tour the new center. It is located at 7858 S. 35th Ave.
On Saturday, April 1, Chicanos Por La Causa is hosting two free community events.
Sí Se Puede Day will be celebrated on April 1, 2023, from the hours of 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Phoenix's Central Park (140 E. Tonto Street).
The second event, Cesar Chavez Birthday Celebration, is set to begin directly after from 1 to 5 p.m. at Phoenix's Santa Rita Center (1017 E. Hadley).
