Yanet Sanchez and Grabiel Gonzalez stand by the sign that promotes the church’s Cuban pig roast fundraiser which will be held 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. All donations will go directly to funding the family’s medical expenses and immigration fees. Photo by Marissa Sweatland.

News Release

MILFORD — The Milford Chapel is hosting a Cuban pig roast from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, to help cover the medical expenses of Yanet Sanchez and Grabiel Gonzalez’s, and their son, Marvin, and upcoming immigration fees.

In Cuba, pig roasts are traditional celebratory feasts. On the menu for the pig roast is Cuban rice and beans; salad; yuka, a Spanish potato dish; and ice cream.

All funds raised will go to funding the family’s dental needs, and any leftover funds will go toward funding the family’s upcoming immigration fees. While the family is in their one-year wait period, they have no insurance and are in need of dental work.

The family came from Cuba in hopes of finding a better life and they think they have found it here in Milford. Grabiel had lost job opportunities in Cuba due to his religion and it is hard to thrive financially in Cuba. The family is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to leave Cuba.

The family has been here for around seven months and is excited to see what the future holds once they are able to become official American residents.

“We are so dependent right now but we want to be independent,” explained Sanchez through a translator.

As of now, the family is unable to legally work or drive. So their ability to get where they need or want to be is dependent on their sponsors, Phil and Jane Gingerich.

Yanet is currently in a six-month online course to learn English. Marvin is thriving in school.  Grabiel reported he was welcomed with open arms, has made many friends and loves school.

Yanet, Grabiel and Marvin did have to make the difficult decision to leave family behind in Cuba. The family hopes to reunite with them on a visit sometime in the future.

But for now, the family is thankful for the home and family they have found in Milford.