Married Couple Volunteer at César Chávez National Monument

Maria and Ildefonso 'Pancho' Colon have spent years preserving the legacy of the historic site in Kern County.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Maria Colon and her husband Ildefonso 'Pancho' Colon have been volunteering at the César Chávez National Monument in Keene, California for the past two years. The couple, who have been married for 39 years, first got involved after Maria completed an internship at the site. They now spend hours each week giving tours, maintaining the grounds, and sharing the history of the farm workers' movement with visitors from around the world.

Why it matters

The César Chávez National Monument is an important historical site that preserves the legacy of the civil rights leader and the farm workers' movement he helped lead. Volunteers like the Colons play a crucial role in keeping the site alive and educating the public, especially those with personal connections to the history like Maria who grew up in a migrant farmworker family in nearby Delano.

The details

Maria and Pancho Colon first started volunteering at the César Chávez National Monument in 2025 after Maria completed an internship there. The couple, who met while serving in the Marine Corps, now spend multiple days a week at the site giving tours, maintaining the grounds, and sharing the history of the farm workers' movement and Chávez's legacy. They have welcomed visitors from all over the world, including Europe, Canada, and Mexico, and enjoy reading the messages visitors leave in the visitor center.

  • The Colons began volunteering at the César Chávez National Monument in 2025.
  • Pancho Colon hung Christmas lights on Chávez's former home in 2025.

The players

Maria Colon

A Kern County native who grew up in a migrant farmworker family in Delano and now volunteers at the César Chávez National Monument.

Ildefonso 'Pancho' Colon

Maria Colon's husband of 39 years, who also volunteers at the César Chávez National Monument.

César Chávez

The civil rights leader and founder of the National Farmworkers Association, whose legacy is preserved at the national monument in Keene.

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What they’re saying

“For me, it was an honor. I mean, I got to put lights on César Chávez's house. That's my claim to fame.”

— Ildefonso 'Pancho' Colon (turnto23.com)

“The more I learned [and] the more time I spent here, I told them I'd always be here to help out because I really believe in what they do.”

— Maria Colon (turnto23.com)

“It's that will to just keep going, even when you have nothing left, that was him.”

— Ildefonso 'Pancho' Colon (turnto23.com)

What’s next

The César Chávez National Monument is always looking for volunteers to help maintain the grounds and share the site's history with visitors. Those interested can contact the monument staff through volunteer.gov or by calling (661) 823-6134.

The takeaway

The Colons' dedication to preserving the legacy of César Chávez and the farm workers' movement at the national monument in Keene highlights the importance of community volunteers in keeping historic sites alive and educating the public, especially for those with personal connections to the history.