Gabe and Jeremy Vigil
LARSO News:
The Los Alamos Community Foundation (LACF), along with donations from local seniors, allow the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization (LARSO) to announce its inaugural Employee of the Quarter recognition program.
A grant from a recent allocation of funds from LACF makes several LARSO projects possible, including new board member orientation, highlighting various giving programs for the local senior centers and more.
LARSO works with LACF, its holder of an endowment for the senior centers, as they find ways to increase donations to provide future funds for senior needs.
Gabriel Vigil was selected as the first Employee of the Quarter recipient.
“Vigil has been a beacon of hope, as we navigated our way through the pandemic,” LARSO Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen said. “He handled a variety of new tasks, tackled unexpected issues and filled in on a moment’s notice and without hesitation.”
Vigil has been a LARSO employee for seven years and is known primarily for his work in the Day Out Adult Day Services program. He is a friendly face who provides light and love to the lives of community elders. Vigil’s kindness and disposition were a breath of fresh air during the pandemic, a very isolating time for members, Lauritzen said. He made daily welfare calls checking on members, reminding them to take medications or that a hot lunch was on the way and brightening their day.
“Gabe’s pivot during the pandemic had him shopping and making deliveries for members, packing food boxes, working as a sous chef and more,” Lauritzen said. “His calm and steady demeanor, willingness to meet the needs and allow seniors to maintain their dignity, was an inspiration. Gabe was recognized at a recent staff meeting and he will be awarded a certificate and gift card to a local business.”
The gift cards are meant for employee to spoil themselves, in a time when self-care is low on the priority list, Lauritzen said, adding that the senior centers also wanted to demonstrate support for local businesses that equally went above and beyond the call of duty during trying times caused by the pandemic.
The senior centers will celebrate Vigil’s and his husband Jeremy Vigil’s birthdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday with music and fun times in the main parking lot of each senior center. The senior centers reopened last week and members are welcome inside.
Plans are to hold a $1 raffle to raise funds for an employee morale project. Raffle tickets go on sale Tuesday and Wednesday. Cupcakes will be provided to attendees Wednesday while supplies last. Some raffle items will be distributed Wednesday with larger prizes awarded throughout the week.
“LACF is excited to work with the senior centers’ employees and members to help educate on the benefits of legacy giving,” LACF Executive Director Rachel Kizielewicz said. “Not only do these kinds of gifts provide vital revenue streams for an organization, but more importantly, they are an opportunity for members to leave behind a lasting legacy for the community they love.”
Donations can be made through the website, to the foundation or organizations they serve related to music, sports, youth services and more. Learn more about the work of LACF here.
The senior centers will celebrate Employee of the Quarter Gabe Vigil’s and his husband Jeremy Vigil’s birthdays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday with parking lot parties at each senior center, including music and cupcakes. Tickets go sale Tuesday and Wednesday at the senior centers. Courtesy photo