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Central Latino honored with Rudy Wright International Service Award for regional outreach
Summary
The Greater Hickory International Council awarded Central Latino the 2025 Rudy Wright International Service Award for services including education, immigration assistance and the Todos Somos America festival; Ginny Romero accepted the award.
The Greater Hickory International Council presented Central Latino with the 2025 Rudy Wright International Service Award at the Hickory City Council meeting on May 6, recognizing the nonprofit’s work serving Latino residents across the four‑county Greater Hickory region.
Tracy Trimble, general manager of the Hickory Furniture Mart and a member of the council that selects the award recipient, described the award’s history and the organization’s programs. Trimble said the council transitioned to a nonprofit in 2023 and expanded to serve Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties.
Trimble recounted Central Latino’s services and history, noting the organization began from a bilingual vacation bible study and grew into a formal community organization providing legal and immigration information, English and Spanish instruction, job‑skills partnerships with local colleges and an after‑school program, Abriendo Puertas, that has operated since 2004. Trimble said the agency “connected with more than 10,000 Spanish and non‑Spanish speaking residents in just 2024 alone.”
Ginny Romero, Central Latino’s executive director, accepted the plaque on the organization’s behalf and said, “It is an honor and pleasure to receive this recognition.” Romero introduced board members Joanne Spees (board president), Martha Carrigo and Victoria Morales (AP program director) and encouraged residents to contact Central Latino via social media and its website.
Mayor Hank Gess and council members joined in thanking Central Latino and the Greater Hickory International Council for the award presentation. The item was ceremonial; the council did not take legislative action related to the award during the meeting.
