Minerva Alvarado
Marketing Development Manager, SERVPRO Team Fabiani
Tell us about yourself and/or your business
I am a dedicated community volunteer and serve on a few boards. My employer provides the opportunity for me to attend meetings and events during company time and also may sponsor something from time to time. Revived the Hispanic Business Committee for the Bridgeton Chamber and have recently started hositng Hispanic networking events.
How do you and or your business celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
My company is highlighting a Hispanic employee each week of Hispanic Heritage Month.
How have you/can we continue to raise awareness of Hispanic Heritage?
I volunteer for various organizations and also participate in local and countywide events honoring Hispanic Americans. As co-chair of the Hispanic Business Committee for the Bridgeton Chamber, I organize and participate in regular "Walk & Talks" where we visit business owners downtown who primarily speak Spanish to engage and learn what we can do for them. Some have started to attend our networking events. We also particpate in the annual Hispanic Heritage Festival at the Bridgeton Riverfront each year.
What is one thing you would like others to know about your Hispanic Heritage?
That there are many Hispanic Americans who prioritize community involvement and volunteering. Many still do not know that Puerto Ricans are born citizens of the United States. We are very proud.
Name your favorite Hispanic business to support
My own! Alvarado Business Services
What are some traditions, celebrations, or rituals your family participates in?
I still continue the traditions taught to me by my parents and their parents who were born in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Some of the traditions are: Making arroz con dulce and escabeche de pescado every year for Christmas; eating a traditional Christmas Eve dinner (arroz con gandules, pasteles, and lechon asado (roast pork)). Last but not least, we keep our Christmas tree up until “El Dia De Los Magos” (Three Kings Day), the Epiphany and sometimes called “Spanish Christmas.”
