Latin Kitchen Holds Successful Mini-Fundraiser
for the Cristian Rivera Foundation

Bronx restaurant Latin Kitchen was the site of the Cristian Rivera Foundation’s most recent mini-fundraiser event on July 29. The restaurant, located at 3841 East Tremont Avenue, becomes a lounge every Thursday night and on this particular Thursday, everyone who came after 10pm paid a $10 donation and received one of the Cristian Rivera Foundation’s signature blue wristbands. Latin Kitchen’s DJ Lucho Concepcion and Robert Vasquez organized the event, which featured music from resident DJ Victor Vargas, as well as Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Members DJ Tedsmooth and Ralph Mercado, aka DJ Wreck. Committee Members Kenya Bradix, Solange Osorio and Steve Cox were all there to support the cause. Lots of John “Gungie” Rivera’s friends, as well as friends of the Cristian Rivera Foundation came out and everyone had a great time.

The Cristian Rivera Foundation Monthly Newsletter July 2010

The Cristian Rivera Foundation welcomed two new members to its Committee this month —actor Luis Guzman and Celebrity Chef Alex Garcia.

Guzman is a character actor from New York who has appeared in countless movies and television shows. Most recently, Guzman appeared in HBO’s hit series How to Make it in America. He has also been seen on Oz, Law and Order, NYPD Blue and Walker, Texas Ranger, as well as in feature films like The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Carlito's Way, Magnolia, Out of Sight, Boogie Nights, Punch Drunk Love, Traffic, Anger Management, and School for Scoundrels.

Garcia is a Nuevo Latino chef who has appeared on the Food Network and written cookbooks like 2004’s In a Cuban Kitchen. Garcia attended the Culinary Institute of America and later worked alongside famed Nuevo Cuban chef Douglas Rodriguez for four years at Yuca restaurant in Miami. Garcia has been involved with many highly-respected New York restaurants, including Erizo Latino in Soho, Babalu, Patria, Calle Ocho and, most recently, Habana Room.

Patricia Field—the award-winning costume designer for Sex and the City, Ugly Betty and The Devil Wears Prada—held a fashion event this week at New York City’s Rooftop, located at 230 Fifth Avenue. The fashionable Ms. Field made the Cristian Rivera Foundation wristband an integral part of her ensemble. She’s pictured here with global singing star Anane and Cristian Rivera Foundation founder John “Gungie” Rivera. Field dressed Anane and her husband, celebrity DJ/producer and Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Member Little Louie Vega, who DJ’d the event. The two of them also wore their Cristian Rivera Foundation wristbands all night long.

John "Gungie" Rivera to Appear On Channel 4, NBC's Visiones with Lynda Baquero
Saturday, May 15th 2010 at 9am

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Cristian Rivera Foundation Has Strong Presence at All-Star Concert

July 17 was a star-studded day at The Country Fair Entertainment Park in Medford, NY. That was the site of Mega Jam 2010, the all-day event offering carnival rides, food, family fun and music. Party 105.3 FM put on the event, which was hosted by Miranda Cosgrove, star of Nickelodeon's iCarly, and Kiowa Gordon, best known as Embry Call in the Twilight series. JWoWW from MTV's Jersey Shore was seen there with some of her castmates and musicians Lucas Prata, Natasha Bedingfield, Shaggy, Kelis, Jay Sean and many others could be spotted rocking the stage.
The most exciting presence at Mega Jam 2010, however, had to be the Cristian Rivera Foundation. The event helped raise awareness about the Foundation, and many of the celebrities on hand stopped to take their picture in front of a Foundation-branded step and repeat. The Foundation gave out t-shirts and wristbands. Miranda Cosgrove wore a signature Foundation wristband. Party 105.3 on-air talent DJ Serg and Party 105.3 owner and Cristian Rivera Foundation Committee Member Vic Latino not only wore the wristband, but a Foundation t-shirt too.

New Jersey Day Care Center Supports the Cristian Rivera Foundation

The Cristian Rivera Foundation continues to touch people’s hearts with its mission to cure inoperable pediatric brain stem tumor Pontine Glioma. Jeannie Perez, of Newark, NJ’s Family Affair Childcare, created a banner inviting families at her daycare center and in the community to support the Cristian Rivera Foundation. She even offered a period of free daycare to the family who sold the most Cristian Rivera Foundation wristbands. Her contest inspired others to get the word out and collectively, the families sold 50 wristbands. Having everyday people go to bat for the Cristian Rivera Foundation gives hope not only that its awareness campaign is working but also that a cure for Pontine Glioma is within reach.