Giving Thanks and Giving Back

Cindy Padilla, United Way NNM, Executive Director

Holidays in northern New Mexico are a special time as we celebrate our faith, our families, and our culture. It is a time when we honor our diverse cultures and beliefs and celebrate our beautiful landscapes as the snow caps begin to appear. While we celebrate in unique yet shared ways, there is one thing that is central to all of us, and that is the joy of giving. We open our doors, our hearts and our lives. We share what we have with our neighbors, our friends and those that are in need.  It is truly a time of giving, of light, and joy.  

Our work at United Way Northern New Mexico connects two northern counties, Los Alamos and Rio Arriba. At first glance one might see all that makes these two counties different… Even the Census shows some stark differences. At United Way, we see our similarities and all that we have in common. We see all that brings us together as New Mexicans, as neighbors, and as family.  

This year marks our third annual Giving Thanks and Giving Back Holiday Food Distribution.  This event,  once again supported by N3B Los Alamos, is a time when our communities come together, sharing their time, their love for their communities and the joy that is in their hearts. For Thanksgiving, over 100 volunteers came together at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Los Alamos and the McCurdy Family Resource Campus in Española to fill and distribute 300 food bags to local families.  Because of the generosity of N3B and the dedication of LA Cares and the San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen in Española, each of these food bags, in addition to the food items, provided a  gift card to Smith’s, Food King or Center Market to be used for a holiday turkey, ham or roast. Thank you N3B for sharing our belief in unity and neighbor-to-neighbor support and for making this vision a reality year after year!

United Way Northern New Mexico presents check to LA Cares and volunteers.

Volunteers, including N3B personnel, sort goods.

It was a sight to see. Volunteers rushing around like elves in Santa’s workshop! Making sure each bag was complete with all the items donated or purchased for this celebration. They were busy filling each bag with canned goods, bagged beans, boxed stuffing, cereal for the kids, chile (New Mexico gravy), radishes, onions, cranberries, frozen meats, apples and potatoes! It was nothing short of amazing! Our communities have much more in common than the differences people would like us to think. We come together as a community and because of our shared beliefs in each other and our neighbors, we make a difference in the lives of so many. Some who perhaps have lost a job, a family member, or even hope.  It is because of our shared love of humanity we don’t see our differences, we see strength, resilience and grit. We see children eating with their families. We see mothers and fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends coming together to share a meal, sharing their stories, all while giving thanks and giving back.  

San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen and Food Distribution Volunteers

At United Way Northern New Mexico we bring people together to build and strengthen our communities. We believe that United is the Way to build community. We help those who help others.  We amplify the stories and resources of our nonprofits and we celebrate the change makers! We celebrate you! 

This year, and we hope you have heard this before, because of our donors, our volunteers and because of you, we are able to support the work of 24 area nonprofit organizations. Helping to improve the lives of the residents in Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties continues to be our “north star.” We have had a consistent presence in our communities for over 70 years and our long-standing commitment to our residents underscores our dedication to fostering community well-being. And we believe we are just getting started.  

So as we begin this holiday season, we at United Way Northern New Mexico, would like to share one more thing.  Gratitude. Gratitude from the UWNNM Board and team and the gratitude of those who receive all that you give. This past Saturday, the day of our Española food distribution, I looked across McCurdy campus, seeing my neighbors in line, the volunteers rushing around like elves, I looked up at the tall pine trees swaying in the gentle northern New Mexico breeze against the brilliant blue sky, feeling the warmth of our New Mexico sun, I felt a sense of calm, of joy, and gratitude. As a New Mexico norteña, I knew there was no better place on earth to be at that very moment. I celebrated my family, my culture and my neighbors.  I celebrated you. 

Happy Holidays,

Cindy Padilla

United Way Northern New Mexico Executive Director

Want to learn more?

Visit www.n3b-la.com to learn more about N3B’s work in the region.

Visit www.unitedwaynnm.org to learn more about United Way Northern New Mexico or join the effort to strengthen many local nonprofits by donating.