Puerto Rican Union of Mutual Aid, Inc.
Incorporated July 1937
616 E Street
Union City CA 94587
510-489-0513
Who is PRUMA? Puerto Rican Union of Mutual Aid, Inc. was organized in May 1937 and incorporated July 7, 1937. Our motto is to "Advance with Progress". The Association was founded by a group of Puerto Ricans who came from Hawaii to the East Bay and wanted to create a benevolent organization to further their people. The purpose for the Association is to help other Puerto Ricans in the San Francisco Bay Area. We bring the Puerto Rican community together keeping the culture alive through our Jíbaro music and Puerto Rican food. We hold regular dances and raise funds for educational scholarships and other community benefits. We are proud to have Mr. Tony Pagan as our current President. Contact: Tony Pagan at
(925) 828-3014 or at president@pruma.org
Mission Statement
Puerto Rican Union of Mutual Aid, Inc.
Our mission as an association is to unite the Puerto Rican people of the greater Bay Area by providing a warm, clean, friendly environment that develops our rich cultural heritage through our food, dance and customs. Putting an emphasis on education for our youth through scholarships and growing our ability to become a greater facilitator to our people by providing mutual aid and benefits to those in need growing the association by outreach and focusing on young Puerto Rican families. Encouraging each other by exemplifying honor, dignity and true Puerto Rican pride.
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We are just days away from our Seventy First anniversary and I want to congratulate all of our members for a job well done. It takes a lot of hard work and effort to keep this association moving forward. It takes a lot of membership support and team work to make things happen. I appreciate all the hard work that this years board is putting forth to continue the momentum that we have started. We continue to need the help of all members and not only the work of the board and the few.
It is clear that our future is our youth and we must do everything possible to get our kids educated. This year we have raised over $7900 for scholarships. I want to thank you all for your support in raising these funds and I hope you will continue to support this program by applying for the scholarships and attending the Scholarship Banquet on August 30th. We want to make sure that our members, their children and grandchildren receive scholarships if they meet the criteria. There is no limit to the number of times you can receive a scholarship so long as you meet the requirements.
At the June General Meeting I asked those in attendance how important the monthly newsletter was on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the newsletter is not important at all and 10 that the newsletter was extremely important and to raise their hands as I called out the numbers. Not to my surprise the newsletter seemed to be very important to the majority of the membership present. In closing I think it’s important that I let you know that I will not be doing the newsletter next year and we must find someone to take over. Since the newsletter is so important I’m sure that someone will step up and contact me about taking over soon.
I wish you all a safe and restful 4th of July weekend.
Tony Pagán -President
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Meet Little Miss and Miss PRUMA for 2008
We’d like to introduce you to the New Little Miss and Miss PRUMA 2008.
Little Miss PRUMA allow me to introduce you to Miss Riley Werder age 6. Riley is the daughter of Raquel Pereira and granddaughter of members Nora and LeRoy Rodrigues. Riley is a kindergartener at Steffan Manor and loves singing and dancing. We hope you support her by purchasing tickets from her and her family. Here is why Riley wants to be Little Miss PRUMA.
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The Pledge of Allegiance
Those of us who lived through the 50s and 60s knew Red Skelton well. Known as "America's most beloved clown," he hosted his own variety show in the days of black and white television. While he was a master of pantomime and physical humor, he also could be poignant and deliver stirring monologues.
On Flag Day, June 14, 1972, Skelton addressed the U.S. House of Representatives with "a speech about a speech" -- recalling the inspiring words of an elementary school teacher many years before. His remarks are reprinted below. (When he talks about "48 states," he is recalling his own childhood, before Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the union.)
"One of the greatest speeches I think I have ever heard was when I was a small boy, and we boys and girls had just finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and our teacher called us together and said, 'Boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester, and it appears to me it has become monotonous to you. Or could it be that you do not know the meaning of those words? If I may, I would like to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and give you a definition for each word.'
"This is what he said:
'I -- me, an individual, a committee of one,
PLEDGE -- dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self pity.
ALLEGIANCE -- my love and my devotion.
TO THE FLAG -- our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there is respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts "freedom is everybody's job."
OF THE UNITED -- that means that we have all come together.
STATES -- individual communities that have united into 48 great states, 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united by a common purpose and that's love for country.
OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC -- a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people. And it's from the people to the leaders--not from the leaders to the people.
FOR WHICH IT STANDS. ONE NATION -- meaning, so blessed by God.
INDIVISIBLE -- incapable of being divided.
WITH LIBERTY -- which is freedom and the right of power to live one's own life without threats or fear of some sort of retaliation.
AND JUSTICE -- the principle or quality of dealing fairly with others.
FOR ALL -- which means it's as much your country as it is mine.'"
(Skelton went on to say that, years later, two states were added to the union and two words to the Pledge: "under God.")
As we celebrate our independence this July 4th, I recall with fondness how moved I was when I later heard Red Skelton repeat this speech for a television audience. I, for one, appreciate not only the Pledge of Allegiance, but also how wonderful it is that we are free to recite it.
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Take a closer look at what's happening at PRUMA! Download our monthly Newsletter.Please note that any donations toward this newsletter would be greatly appreciated. Please mail your check to PRUMA PO Box 498, Union City, CA 94587 ATTN: Editor Thank you.
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