LDCOC Holds Fourteenth Annual Fall Dinner Dance

NEWBURGH – The Latino Democratic Committee of Orange County (LDCOC) held their Fourteenth Annual Dinner Dance on Saturday, October 14, at Café Internationale at The Ramada Inn in Newburgh.

This year the group honored Rene Campos and Annette Marzan.

Campos was presented with the Entrepreneurship Award. Owner of DMU Music on Broadway in Newburgh, Campos has had a long love affair with music. For as long as he can recall he has been a DJ, and has amassed an impressive resume of big New York City clubs he has played. He has even played with the best, including legendary DJ’s Luie Vega, Jellybean Benitez and Todd Terry.

It was during his many trips to New York City to purchase his music and DJ equipment that Campos recognized a void. And in 1987 he capitalized on it by opening DMU: a local store where music lovers could purchase music and equipment. Professionally staffed by friendly, knowledgeable, working DJ’s, the business has continued to grow since its inception.

“To have your own business is a big responsibility,” Campos said. “To be self employed, to be your own boss, is a very challenging thing. It’s hard work. It’s not easy, but the rewards are tremendous.” He takes great pride in knowing that he has built his own business, with the goal of giving the best to his family. “It’s very exciting. It’s not all easy. It’s a bumpy road. But I encourage anybody that wants to give it a try.”

Annette Marzan was presented with this year’s Leadership Award. For as long as she can recall, Marzan has been serving the Latino community as a role model, mentor and volunteer.

Therefore it wasn’t a surprise when Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley was looking for a Bilingual Case Aide in 1995, she answered the call. This position allowed her to help pregnant and parenting teenage mothers. Always encouraging these young women to pursue their education, she

began to “walk the walk” and started taking classes at SUNY Empire, where she earned her BS in Human Services Administration. Soon after, she was promoted to Community Outreach Manager, a post she has held for over 20 years.

Marzan also is heavily involved in the community, volunteering with many programs and serving on Boards. She has volunteer with the Open Space program for young girls; founded the Newburgh Girl Power Program, where she also served as Chairman of the Board for several years; and has helped to develop two community-wide coalitions, specifically created to advocate for the Latino Community in the Hudson Valley.

In her acceptance speech, she enlightened those in attendance on “what Planned Parenthood really does.” Marzan demonstrated, to the delight of those gathered, that even while in a waiting room, you can educate someone on the many health care services Planned Parenthood provides.

That message was followed up by Keynote Speaker, Ruth-Ellen Blodgett, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Mid-Hudson Valley.

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