CAYCE, S.C. — Celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month are in full swing across South Carolina.
The Cayce Police Department held its third annual Fiesta event, with more than 30 local agencies coming together to provide resources to the community.
"It gives us the opportunity to be able to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the Hispanic community, but it also brings everybody together in order to be able to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month,” Juana Saavedra, from the Cayce Police Department, said.
Many community members took advantage of free health screenings, food, games and more.
"It's showing the community that we're not just a badge, you know? We're there for good times and bad, and we can actually celebrate together,” Cayce Police Lieutenant Eddie West said.
While this is an event to celebrate Heritage Month, the Cayce Police Department hopes this connection will last beyond this celebration.
“We are here to not only to help, like he said, when something bad happens but that we are here to help with resources, with services that we can connect them if they need clothing -- if they need food -- that we are able to help connect them to other agencies," Saavedra said. "Because we work in conjunction with Richland county, with Lexington and with SLED and nonprofit organizations as well.”
First-time attendees like Nora Lopes say events like these are important for the Hispanic population.
“It’s very important so we can all feel at home in the state and in Columbia. I think it’s really good so people can come and get information and resources they need,” Lopes said.
Law enforcement agencies, restaurants, and nonprofits from around the Midlands came together to give the community a space to celebrate its heritage.
“The importance of uniting everybody," Saavedra said. "Because even though it's a Hispanic community, but seeing the diversity that is out there, it kind of unites us.”
