This article was written by BenitoLink intern Leila Sadeghian
On Feb. 26, Hollister Downtown Association in partnership with the American Legion Post 69 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9242 held its first Youth Expo at the Veterans Memorial Building. The expo featured over 60 different local organizations reaching out to youth in the community.
Over 500 people took in the different booths during the three-hour event, according to the Hollister Downtown Association Chief Executive Officer Omar Rosa.
“We decided to hold this event today because we think that it’s important to showcase what our community has to offer. This is our first annual Youth Expo and we plan on doing it every year.” said Maria Spandri, Veterans of Foreign Wars building manager, whose office is located inside the Veterans Memorial Building.
Local youth activities included martial arts, karate, art classes, Pop Warner football and cheerleading, dance classes, police explorers, tutoring programs, gymnastics, scouting, horseback riding lessons, succulent planting, kickboxing, music lessons and high school clubs.
The event also included live performances from Ha’a Hula TeReva O Te Manu dance group and San Benito High School’s Velocity Dance Team.
Community member Maggie Enow who has children registered for Hollister Cowboys Football and Cheer said, “It is informative for the local community because many people are moving into Hollister and it’s important to be aware of what there is for families here to do.”
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