YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly, Espanola Mayor Alice Lucero, Johanna Jiron and her husband CEO Feliciano Jiron of Los Alamos Medical Center at Saturday night’s Boots and BBQ fundraiser at the Rodeo in El Rito, which raised $15,000 for the Espanola Teen Center. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, Dist. 43 Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, LANL’s Community Programs Office Executive Director Kurt Steinhaus, Program Manager Eric Vasquez of the Regional Economic Development Initiative and Los Alamos County Clerk and YMCA Board member Sharon Stover. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Councilor Steven Girrens and Los Alamos Attorney Shay Kendricks assist with Saturday’s live auction. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Staff Report
Community members together with business and civic leaders turned out for Saturday night’s Boots, Band and BBQ Benefit, which raised $15,000 for the YMCA’s Espanola Teen Center.
The event was held at the Abiquiu Rural Events Center and included a spit-BBQ meal, roping demonstration, silent and live auctions, and county-western dancing to the RMB’s original, outlaw and modern country music performance.
The Espanola YMCA Teen Center is administered by The Family YMCA. It has an annual budget of $180,000 and is partly funded by The City of Espanola, Rio Arriba County, Santa Fe County, the United Way of Northern New Mexico, Con Alma Health Foundation, Santa Fe Community Foundation, and several other foundations at approximately $130,000. Saturday’s benefit was held to help make up the operating difference.
About The Española YMCA Teen Center: The Center opened in 2007 and is administered by The Family YMCA in Los Alamos under an operating contract with the City of Espanola. In 2012, the Center served 714 youth.
About The Family YMCA: The Y was founded in 1955 by volunteers in Los Alamos who recognized a need for family activities. The Y is a charity whose mission is to build individual, family and community strength by focusing on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Additionally, the Y ensures access to all though awards of scholarships. In 2012, the Y assisted 249 people with $120,000 is financial assistance.
For information on other programs provided by the Y, visit www.laymca.org, stop 1450 Iris St. in Los Alamos or call 505.662.3100.
YMCA Executive Director Linda Daly kicks off the evening’s live auction. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Sen. Richard Martinez and Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Longtime YMCA Board member Roger Waterman and his wife Emily McGay mug for the camera. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
YMCA’s Linda Daly, left, with Board Members Sam (real mustache) and Shay Kendricks at Saturday’s festive event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos State Farm Agent Lou Santoro and his wife Pat with State Farm Agent Abe Dispennette and his sons Bryce, 7, and Chase, 9. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Chris Ortega and his wife Helen enjoy the antics of auctioneer Sam Kendricks and his sidekick Steve Girrens. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Auctioneer Sam Kendricks zeroes in on a winner during Saturday’s live auction. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
James Maestas of Area 52 in Los Alamos bid nearly $3,000 to win the top auction item of the night – a Kona Hawaii condo stay donated by Roger Waterman. Waterman has donated his condo for YMCA auctions for several years, raising $60,000 for the nonprofit organization. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Teen Center Director Ben Sandoval with youth and parents. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Teens listen as bids fly during the live auction. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
From left, Los Alamos Golf Pro Donnie Torres, Steve Myers and his wife Kelly Myers of RE/MAX and Mary Torres. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Live auction underway. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
YMCA Board Member Karen Kendall and her husband Greg Kendall of the Los Alamos Daily Post. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Cattle roping demonstrations. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Bryce Dispennette, 7, ropes a steer as his father Abe looks on. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Law enforcement officers attend the event. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Bryce Dispennette, 7, lands in jail after the issue of cattle rustling crops up. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The sun sets on the roping demonstrations. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The Renegade Mountain Band performs at Satiurday’s Boots, Band and BBQ Benefit including James Carothers on vocals and guitar; Dave Hemsing on bass, Trent McCuistian on drums and Dean Rimmer on steel banjo and dobro. RMB is donating half of the proceeds from the sale of their first album, Around the Middle, to The Family YMCA’s annual campaign through the month of November. Visit www.renegademountainband.com. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The night ends with the crowd dancing to the Renegade Mountain Band. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
