United Way Of Northern New Mexico Sharing And Receiving Community Support

Facilitator Camilla Bustamante, PhD. MPH., left, speaks to the UWNNM Board gathered in January for their annual retreat at the McCurdy Ministries Community Center in Española. Seated from far right, Chair Liddie Martinez, Executive Director Cindy Padilla, Treasurer John Sarrao, Christopher Madrid, Secretary Michelle Harkey-Wilde, Steven Renfro and James Mountain. Board members not pictured, Cindy Rooney, Carol A. Clark (taking photo), Stephen Boerigter, Christopher Madrid, John Whiteside, Mike Lippiatt and Barb Ricci. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

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By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

With greater reason during this pandemic, area nonprofit organizations need to lean on the United Way of Northern New Mexico (UWNNM).

Because of the generosity it receives from local businesses and individuals, UWNNM has resources to share with many of these nonprofits – but this year that need is larger than ever. As UWNNM kicks off its annual giving campaign, the organization is encouraging LANL employees and community members to be especially generous in their donations.

Enterprise Bank & Trust fills a significant need in providing office space at no cost to UWNNM staff. The bank also supports Enterprise Market President Liddie Martinez in her service as board chair.

“It is an honor to lead this group of volunteer board members and staff that are so deeply committed to serving our communities,” Martinez said. “We have worked together for so many years to build an efficient and effective organization founded on gathering and sharing available resources.”  

Enterprise President Scott Goodman added, “Enterprise has a long tradition of investing in our communities, and it is important to us to maintain our longstanding partnership with the United Way of Northern New Mexico. We are proud to provide support through a Cornerstone Donation, coordinating employee giving, and the in-kind donation of office space for the organization.”   

UWNNM Executive Director Cindy Padilla spoke about the organization she leads.

“Gratitude and Community. Beginning in 1953, here in the ‘Secret City’, United Way of Northern New Mexico was developed by community-minded citizens looking for a way to support the local nonprofit organizations, the work they do and the people they serve,” Padilla said. “We thank Enterprise Bank & Trust and our Cornerstone donors who provide the foundation that supports our nonprofit organizations 67 years later!”

LANL Deputy Director John Sarrao serves as treasurer on the UWNNM Board. He explained why he believes it is important to volunteer his time with this non-profit organization.

“The United Way of Northern New Mexico not only provides an integrated means of supporting a variety of regional organizations committed to positively impacting diverse social determinants of health but also works to build capacity among these organizations,” Sarrao said. “Serving as a Board Member provides me a means of giving back to my community.”

Don Cobb and his late wife Connie have given and participated with UWNNM for many years, through LANL’s Employee Giving Campaign and later as retirees. Cobb has served on the board and volunteered on the Grant Committee and spoke recently about why he continues to donate to UWNNM.

“I have donated to the United Way of Northern New Mexico regularly for the past 30-plus years. I find that it is the most effective and efficient way to give back to my neighbors in Northern New Mexico who need a helping hand,” Cobb said. “Effective — because it goes to those charitable organizations that are doing the most good with the money they receive. How do I know? Because a group of community-minded volunteers carefully review every request for funds. There is then follow up to see how the money is actually spent. Efficient — because UWNNM’s operating costs are largely covered through donations from local businesses so that every dollar I give goes to help someone in need.”

UWNNM Finance Director Marie Marroquin began her employment with the nonprofit during the 2000 United Way Giving Campaign.

“I began stuffing community asking letters with the staff of member agencies,” Marroquin said. “Over the past 20 years, I have seen the hard work the UWNNM Board Members, volunteers (young and old) and donors put into our community and they make me want to be a better person. I have been very fortunate to live in a community that believes in supporting the local nonprofits and the people they support. This is why I love my job. It is a privilege to serve this wonderful organization.”

Padilla addressed the widespread difficulties of the last several months saying, “We all know 2020 has been a year like no other in recent history … we continue to feel the impact of the pandemic in so many ways. We also are seeing the celebration of our front line, emergency and essential workers. Distributing food, providing childcare, transportation, counseling and utility assistance are all essential services and we want to celebrate our nonprofit organizations who never stopped their work!”

These nonprofits were not only resilient, they were creative, she said.

“These heroes have been able to continue their work because of our generous donors,” Padilla said. “Simply put … we are determined … we are resilient … and we are hopeful. We thank Enterprise Bank & Trust and our community donors for supporting the work of our heroes each and every day!”

Padilla also described recent examples of how UWNNM is making life better and safer for the young and old through its partnerships with community nonprofits.

UWNNM partners with more than 35 local nonprofit organizations who work every day to improve the lives of our neighbors. Programs like Mesa to Mesa that offers home repair to older adults and people living with disabilities. A woman in her 90’s living alone with no family nearby had a gaping hole in the floor of her mobile home. Mesa to Mesa repaired her floor and also fixed her bathroom. 

“Her response moved us to tears … she no longer lives in fear of falling into the hole,” Mesa to Mesa Executive Director Inez Leibman said.

Another example is CASA First, which is dedicated to supporting children in the foster care system who need an adult advocate. One of its volunteers said, “Volunteering as a CASA is one of the most rewarding positions I have ever undertaken. My heart is filled with love, compassion and above all HOPE for these abused and neglected children.”   

Lastly, a child who is part of the McCurdy Ministries Community Center, Project Carino, feeling supported by the program, said, “I think it’s important to remain positive, even when things are bad … especially right now, I believe we can still have peace and hope…”  

UWNNM is now accepting grant applications from nonprofits in Northern New Mexico for 2021 funding. The deadline to apply is Oct. 16 and results will be announced in mid-December.

UWNNM Mission: Working in a United Way to improve the lives of children and families through service collaboration. Vision: To create a happy, healthy, community. Values: UWNNM is an organization of service and collaboration that works with integrity and ethics to ensure inclusivity, respect and generosity, while honoring family, tradition and culture.

UWNNM Team: Executive Director Cindy Padilla, Finance Director Marie Maroquin and Christian Madrid.

UWNNM Board of Directors: Chair Liddie Martinez – EB&T president, Vice Chair Carol A. Clark – Los Alamos Daily Post publisher, Recording Secretary Michelle Harkey-Wilde – Active Integration Therapy owner, Treasurer John Sarrao – LANL Deputy Director, Immediate Past Chair Steven Boerigter – LANL management, Executive Committee Member at Large Christopher Madrid – Rio Arriba County Economic Development Director and members Cindy Rooney – UNM-LA Chancellor, Steven Renfro – LANL Senior Manager, James Mountain – Valley Daily Post publisher, John Whiteside – LAMC CEO, Mike Lippiatt – Golf Course Manager and Barb Ricci – County Records Information Management.

To learn more about UWNNM or to make a donation, visit www.unitedwaynnm.org or call 505.662.0800.

Enterprise Bank & Trust is a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

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