Chandler Contigo

The Chandler Public Library celebrated Hispanic Heritage with the community at their event called “Contigo.”

Being that this is the first year that this event has been held, it exceeded all expectations. With the involvement of the boutique owner of Divas Quinceñeras, attention from the local newspaper, and the attendance of a couple city council members, the event proved to be not just a celebration, but a showcase of a true community. Mr. Thuan, one of our amazing librarians at Hamilton said, “The event went amazingly well. We had a great turnout.”

Coordination

To produce events like Contigo, lots of planning is involved. Three months in advance, a concept of an idea gets turned into a program proposal that will get submitted to the City of Chandler. Once approved, the library begins to reach out to any organizations, clubs, or even teachers that might be interested in getting involved. As Amy Rodrock, another librarian a part of Hamilton’s staff, simply puts,

There’s a lot of moving parts.

Indeed, there was a lot taking place. In addition to the Quinceñera fashion show, there were several engaging craft stations where children got to show off their coloring skills along with a lively sing-along screening of Encanto.

Community

However, with the help of volunteers, these events transform mere ideas into a vibrant reality. Ryan Han, a junior at Hamilton High School and veteran volunteer explains that he volunteers because, “I wanted to get more involved with the community.”

Community is at the core of events like Contigo, bringing people together in a special way. Amy Rodrock explains,