Our Veterans Day meeting had it all: moving stories, moments of laughter, thoughts of thankfulness, encouraging words to keep going & keep trying, and warmth in our hearts for the kindness and friendship we share with each other.

 

The hour began with the Women Warriors Honor Guard presenting the colors, a special tribute indeed.

 

Our program centered around the day-to-day life and successes of three residents of the Veteran’s Integration Center.  Wes, Mark, and Jacob each described the VIC as their lifesaver - A place where they could take a truthful look at their lives and quietly focus on their recovery, while dreaming of the good things their future could hold.  These gentlemen earnestly spoke about the hurdles they faced and what their circumstances were upon their arrival at the residential facility.  They each described the care received through the program and spoke with gratitude for the incredible growth they have experienced because of the wrap-around services provided.  We were also asked to continue to pray for and support the leaders of the VIC, as they do so much for the residents.  The three speakers were given a beautiful patriotic wooden plaque, thanking them for their time at our club and for their service to our country.  Following the meeting, several Del Norte members donated needed resources for the residents, including cell phones and financial support.  Many thanks to Fermin Ortega, Brock Wolff, and Jerry Becker for their assistance in organizing this meeting and for their fine leadership of this wonderful organization. 

 

Tracy Rodden, Executive Director of Feed New Mexico Kids, was our speaker at the November 19^th meeting.  Tracy shared right away the she herself faced food insecurity as a child, so while this work was hard for her at first, her compassion and empathy were true motivating factors in her decision to take on this leadership role. 

 

As the name implies, Feed New Mexico Kids is focused on assisting children up to the age of eighteen.  Food is received through organizational & individual donations, church programs, and by being awarded grant monies.  Distribution of the food packs (containing ready-to-eat foods, utensils, and inspirational notes of encouragement) are distributed at schools though the help of Ministers, Teachers, Counsellors, Principals, Community School Coordinators, and volunteers.

 

One in four children in New Mexico are considered “food insecure” which is defined as not knowing where your next meal is coming from.  Most often, this is caused by homelessness or poverty.  Yet sometimes, food is intentionally withheld from a child by a parent or caregiver, which is considered a form of child abuse.  The impact of chronic hunger is terrifying – children how are in these circumstances are more likely to be held back in school, more likely to be suspended and never return to school, or even most devastatingly commit suicide.  Some families even subject their children to trafficking because their survival instinct has stretched that far.  This is not what we want for the children in our beloved state. 

 

This was a difficult topic to learn about.  However, Tracy also offered stories of blessings, kindness, successes, and life changes.  In this season of abundance and gratitude, you will feel inspired to support this or other community organizations that aim to solve the problem of hunger.  For more information, visit www.feednmkids.org

 

The November 19th Satellite meeting was filled with holiday warmth, gratitude, and the spirit of service. Members of the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte — including several from the lunch group — gathered at the home of Marty and Monica Padilla to continue a beloved tradition: assembling Thanksgiving baskets for Saranam families.

 

Each year since 2017, Del Norte Rotarians have come together to donate, sort, and lovingly pack these baskets, ensuring families have everything needed to prepare a full Thanksgiving meal. Thanks to generous contributions from members, Monica purchases all the ingredients, organizes the contents for each basket, and sets the stage for a joyful assembly-line experience. It truly takes teamwork to fill each Thanksgiving dinner basket — and every year, our members rise to the occasion.

 

This year, thirty-five baskets were packed and delivered on Saturday, November 22nd by Del Norte Rotary members. But as the recent Saranam newsletter beautifully emphasized, these baskets are far more than food. Saranam staff use them as part of a hands-on cooking and life-skills class, teaching families — many preparing their first Thanksgiving meal — how to roast a turkey, make sides, and cook with confidence. After learning together, families gather as a cohort to share the meal and create cherished memories.

 

The Saranam newsletter captured the heart of this partnership when a Saranam mom shared:

“Thank you for all your support! A fresh start for me and my family. Your influence continues to impact the four generations of my family.”

 

This powerful reflection reminds us that the impact of these baskets extends well beyond the holiday table. It reaches into homes, strengthens families, and sparks hope for future generations.

 

Packing and delivering these Thanksgiving baskets has become a treasured tradition for Del Norte Rotary — one that warms our hearts as deeply as it enriches the lives of the families who receive them. This partnership is a shining example of how two mission-driven communities can come together to grow, learn, and create beloved memories.

 

What a wonderful tradition we are honored to continue, year after year.

 

 

 

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our fellow Rotarians — those who have pledged donations and those who have already written checks — our impact continues to grow. A special thank-you to the Del Norte Rotary Foundation for the generous check presented at our last meeting.

 

💛 Because of you, we are now able to add 10 more children to the Backpack Program.

Each week during the school year, the Del Norte Rotary Backpack Program provides up to 100+ food-insecure elementary students with a backpack filled with six easy-to-prepare meals and snacks — and hope.

But we still can’t do it alone.

 

We are looking for Rotarians, family, and friends to help pack backpacks every Friday morning from 8:00–8:45 AM at Manzano Mesa Elementary School.

 

Whether it’s through a donation, volunteering, or sharing this message — your support ensures no child is left wondering where their next meal will come from.

📦 $6.50 = one backpack

❤️ Countless impact

 

Let’s make hunger one less thing a child has to worry about.

💻 Make a difference today!

Long-time Del Norte friend Richard Bruce officially introduced himself to us as a new member of our club!  During his vocational talk, he shared that he is a graduate of West Point, and spent the first part of his career serving in Texas, Hawaii, and Louisiana.  Following his years of service in the Army, Richard spent 23 years serving in various roles in the Rio Rancho School District, primarily focused on Technology and Operations. 

 

Richard jokingly stated he is enjoying his “third career,” RETIREMENT!!  But we can see that his cheerful heart and passion for helping others creates busy schedule after all.  Richard says that because of his years of military and public school service, being a person of action in Rotary is a perfect fit for him.  He is an Assistant Governor for District 5520, and looks forward to new friends and new projects as a member of our club.

 

 

🦓 Unique Like Stripes
 Every zebra has a one-of-a-kind pattern — and every child’s story is unique. Their needs matter and we aim to share our CHEER and GENEROSITY with the children and families in these trying circumstances. 

That being said, during the holiday season, the Year of Cheer Leadership Team encourages Rotarians to take a brief pause in your donations for this particular project.  Our hope is that you will support other community outreach organizations and use your time and resources for other holiday-specific projects that mean the most to you. 

 

The Year of Cheer Dazzle team has been “roaming” around Albuquerque, visiting clubs who are participating in this project together.  Many thanks to Berdel, Alice, Evelyn, Fred, and Rachelle for taking these trips to collect generous donations and share the vision of this project with our local friends.

 

You will hear from us again in JANUARY as our Dazzle of Zebra Volunteers stampede into 2026, making it a true year-long sharing of cheer, hope, and positivity in the form of toys and games for the young patients of the Children’s Hospitals in District 5520. 

There is ONLY ONE noon meeting in December, due to the busy holiday season:

December 10 - Annual holiday themed festive meeting with singing, cheer, and great fun!