COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Special guests Globe Award winner, actor Benito Martinez from the television series, The Shield, on FX and Retired Lt. Colonel Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch were in Columbus this weekend to celebrate El Dia de los Ninos. The two celebrities helped Nationwide Insurance and the National Latino Children's Institute (NLCI) observe El Dia de los Ninos on Saturday, April 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Columbus Cooper Stadium, located on W. Mound St.
El Dia de los Ninos, or Children's Day is celebrated on April 30th throughout Latin America for children. On October 9, 1998, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution declaring April 30 as El Dia de los Ninos Celebrating Young Americans. In subsequent years, the U.S. Senate has signed a similar resolution declaring the day a commemorative holiday, and National Latino Children's Institute (NLCI) works to ensure that the resolution is passed annually.
During the celebration, Nationwide distributed smoke detectors to the Columbus Division of Fire and Nationwide's Office of Safety fitted and distributed bike helmets to children in attendance. There were child safety seat demonstrations and fittings, a children's parade, children's soccer games, a Latino youth summit, and a variety of carnival activities -- including a presentation of Milagros. Milagros are small crafts made of wood, paper, bone, brass, silver, or gold. They represent an ancient cultural tradition used to request special favors for families and friends.
"Nationwide is proud to fund this unprecedented program. We are committed to working closely with the National Latino Children's Institute to educate the Hispanic community about the importance of adult and child passenger safety," said Tim Hoyt, vice president of safety, Nationwide Insurance.
"We are very appreciative of Nationwide's support," said Rebeca Maria Barrera, president of the National Latino Children's Institute. "This partnership has given us the vehicle to communicate with the Latino community, culturally, in the way we know best. We are certain that this program will touch people's hearts and help them to make better decisions about their children," added Barrera.
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman proclaimed April 30th as Dia de los Ninos in Columbus. "As our city grows in population and diversity, we want to be a partner in helping families succeed," said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. "Dia de los Ninos is a great opportunity to reach out to some of our youngest residents."
Benito Martinez, said, "These experiences with the youth keep the blood pumping in my chest. I seem to have gravitated toward people or organizations that look into the eyes of the children and say, 'I see you.' As a Latino I have my cultural perspective that I see through, but as a father and participant in my community, I endeavor to remember and learn over and over again the simplest lesson: We must take care of all our children. That's our job. Period."
In September 1996, 54 young Latinos at an NLCI youth conference in San Antonio, Texas formally requested that the community recognize Dia de los Ninos. Nationwide and Columbus joined more than 150 other cities across the country that also sponsored Dia de los Ninos.
Nationwide is a $117 billion, Fortune 500 insurance and financial services organization based in Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide is one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the world and offers a broad range of personal and commercial insurance and long-term savings products. Nationwide, which includes the country's seventh-largest property/casualty insurance group, ranks 111th in total revenues on the Fortune 500 list. In addition, Nationwide Life Insurance Company, the major subsidiary of Nationwide Financial, ranks 11th in assets according to A. M. Best.
Contact: Ramona Reyes (614) 677-7252 (877) 644-3132 pgrNationwide Insurance
Contact: Ramona Reyes of Nationwide, +1-614-677-7252, or pager,+1-877-644-3132
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