San Mateo’s District 5 hosts food, fun and resource fair

Supervisor David J. Canepa (front, center), flanked by students of Jefferson High and county locals. INQUIRER/Rose Paquette

DALY CITY, California— State and local officials called for “inclusivity” and more “volunteerism” as cities faced looming budget cuts, during a cultural and resource fair held in the Jefferson High School grounds on Mission Street, Saturday, March 18.

Sponsored by San Mateo County and hosted by Supervisor David J. Canepa (District 5), the event was attended by several luminaries including Senators Jerry Hill and Scott Wiener; State Assembly Member Kevin Mullin; and Daly City Council Member Sal Torres.

Daly City Mayor Glen Sylvester and Vice Mayor Juslyn Manalo delivered words of inspiration to the crowd of around 600.

District 5 Supervisor David J. Canepa (at podium, left) introduces local and state officials during the Cultural & Resource Fair held at Jefferson High in Daly City: Senators Scott Wiener and Jerry Hill (center); State Assembly Member Kevin Mullen (6th from left); Daly City Council Member Sal Torres, (5th from left); and other city leaders. INQUIRER/Rose Paquette

“Today is a day of celebration, to celebrate the diversity of District 5,” Canepa told the audience. “Our goal is to be able to take actions to demonstrate that Bay Area should be replicated throughout the world.”

Jefferson High School feted two honorees, brothers Lealofi and Leriko Tamasese, as true role models of the community; the brothers gained full scholarships to West Point. Their mother, Lauina, was also recognized and presented with flowers.

County, private sector representatives and non-profit groups offer various resource materials to the community for countywide programs targeting low-income families including, housing assistance programs, healthcare, clean energy, education, food availability, among other services. INQUIRER/Rose Paquette

But reports of pending federal budget cuts for states brought a dark cloud to the celebration. “These cuts devastate all of us,” Canepa said, calling for more volunteerism from members of the community.            “No matter what your skills level is, you can always volunteer.”

The award-winning Whelan Academy of Irish Dancers perform during the event. INQUIRER/Rose Paquette

A series of cultural dances by the award-winning Whelan Academy of Irish Dancers, Westlake Art Dance, Mabuhay Filipino Dancers, Grupo Maiz (El Salvadoran), and other dance performances regaled the crowd.

A variety of food stalls and tables with community resources were tended by personnel from Human Services Agency; StarVista; Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM); Daly City Community Service Center (DCCSC); Healthy Aging Response Team (HART); Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC); Legal Aid Society of San Mateo; Daly City Partnership.org; Pat’s Closet; Estrada’s; Comcast; Housing Leadership Council; LifeMoves; County of San Mateo Health System; Peninsula Clean Energy; Daly City After School Academic Program; and CASA of San Mateo County, among others.

Policemen of the various cities of the district set up informational booths while ensuring security along the school’s perimeter.