Mita’s Foundation honors four Orgullo Hispano
at 2025 Valentine gala
There was a lot of love at the Mayo Hotel Crystal Ballroom in Downtown Tulsa on Valentine weekend, Feb. 15, 2025, when more than 175 guests attended Mita’s Foundation charity gala and honored four outstanding leaders in the local Hispanic community.
Onelia Macchia Anzola, Jenifer Flores, Betsy Lewallen and Blanca Zavala were recognized for “being the unsung heroes who go above and beyond the call of duty,” said Tina Peña, president/CEO of Mita’s Foundation. “These Orgullo Hispano represent the heart of our organization.” Their charitable works and philanthropical spirit reflect the life of the Peña family’s late matriarch for whom Mita’s Foundation was founded.
Everyone came to congratulate Anzola, Flores, Lewallen and Zavala as well as show their support for Mita’s Foundation whose mission since 2010 has been to provide charitable relief and improve the quality of life for the impoverished and underprivileged children of Peru and their families.
Anzola is the Executive Director of Avanzando Juntos and has worked previously as Tulsa Educare’s Director of Family Services and as the Lead Site Coordinator and Case Manager for Communities In Schools of Mid-America.
Flores is the Program Director for New U and leads a team to help people become their best selves. She worked in the Language and Cultural Services Department for Tulsa Public Schools and was also in the medical field.
Lewallen is a local realtor, civic leader and passionate advocate who has worked as the family/school facilitator at Newcomer International School. She is active in coordinating several cultural and community events.
Zavala serves as a member for the Coalition for the American Dream, a nonprofit organization that advocates for immigrants, and helps in its voter registration drive. She also assists patients at Fresenius Kidney Care.
Anne Brockman, editor of Tulsa People, introduce Rosa Flores of CNN as the esteemed emcee for the evening. Monroe Nichols, Tulsa’s new mayor, presented a special proclamation. Cameron Wherry, executive chef of the Mayo Hotel, prepared a delicious Latin-inspired menu. Ivan Peña entertained the crowd with his guitar solo. And DJ Takiri provided the music for dancing.
Notable dignitaries who attended the banquet included Enrique Villar-Gambetta, Consul of Peru in Oklahoma; Krystal Reyes, first Latina deputy mayor; Dennis Larsen, Tulsa Chief of Police; Mark Wollmershauser, Tulsa Deputy Chief of Police; Tania Garza, Latina running for State House 71; John Croisant, TPS School board member running for U.S. Congress for Oklahoma; and Marcia Thompson, Officer of Secretary of State; among many other high-profile guests.
Funds raised from this event will be used for much needed medical and educational services and supplies. Mita’s Foundation established a clinic and trade school in the impoverished village of Santa Rosa de Quives in Peru. The organization also runs a soup kitchen in Peru and purchases food to feed the hungry in Puerto Cancas. Those who were not able to attend the charity gala but wish to donate to a good cause may do so by going to https://mitasfoundation.org/donate/.
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SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE GALA BY MICHAEL RUSH
https://michaelrushphotography.client-gallery.com/gallery/mitas-foundation-gala
Mita's Foundation 