Coming Together to Support The Greatest Needs Impact Fund for Lincoln and Otero Counties
For Immediate Release – July 22, 2024
Media Contact: Diana O’Brien & Taeya Padilla diana@cfsnm.org
The Greatest Needs Impact Fund held within the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, is currently directing funds to Lincoln and Otero counties. This fund provides financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs of the people, animals and places affected by the devastating fires and floods in Southern New Mexico.
“The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico responded quickly to our needs after the South Fork fire,” Fred Bigger, Gavilan Hills. “More than half the community homes were destroyed, and the remaining 11 homes were left without water. If it wasn’t for the Foundation’s swift and generous donation, we would not have been able to even begin repairs on this small community water system.”
Our efforts continue to be focused on working directly with individuals, families and businesses that have been affected. We continue to support the many who are referred to us from the Community Foundation of Lincoln County. Our team is in contact with those affected directly and with local agencies, organizations, and nonprofits in Lincoln and Otero, including New Mexico Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Office of Emergency Management, Disaster Recovery Center, Emergency Operations Centers in Ruidoso and Mescalero, the Mescalero Apache Tribe, Ruidoso Mainstreet Association, Ruidoso Chamber of Commerce, Village of Ruidoso Fire Department, among others.
“Receiving a small business disaster relief grant from the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has been a much-appreciated help for us at Downshift Brewing Company,” said Shelby Rist-Gutierrez, co-founder of Downshift Brewing Company. “It’s not just about rebuilding; it’s about revitalizing our spirit and resilience in the face of adversity, knowing that regional community members have our backs. It’s a testament to the community’s unwavering support. We’re all working to foster hope and renewal for our village.”
The generosity of so many has provided direct support to address immediate and emerging needs. With the help of our incredible donors and community partners, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico has provided the following: financial support and gift cards to emergency operation centers in Roswell, Ruidoso, and Mescalero for those who have been displaced during the fires and continued flooding and to support first responders with needed items; financial support to first responders and others who lost their homes in the fires and floods; financial assistance to three local veterinarians who provided aid and medical care for pets and livestock; financial relief for businesses and community members who have been affected; financial support to assess and begin the process to restore access to water in Gavilan Canyon; direct assistance to areas that have impacted by the floods, and more.
This is not possible without your support.
We continue to be incredibly inspired by and grateful for the many individuals, families and organizations who have stepped up during this time to care for our communities across Lincoln and Otero counties. These incredible people and organizations have rallied around all those affected by the fires and floods in Southern New Mexico.
Please know, these communities are still in need. Your generosity can make all the difference.
At this time, we want to thank every single individual, family and business that has given. With your help we have raised more than $1.0 million and have already distributed more than $372,500. Additional efforts are in progress as we work directly with so many who have been impacted. We would like to share a special thank you to our foundational and corporate partners that stepped up to kick off this fund.
• Walmart Foundation $150,000
• W.K. Kellogg Foundation $150,000
• ExonnMobil New Mexico $100,000
• ConocoPhillips $100,000
• Yesway/Allsup’s $100,000
• Chevron $75,000
• El Paso Community Foundation $51,500
• BlueCrossBlueShield NM $50,000
• Boeing $50,000
• Permian Basin Area Foundation $25,000
• Albuquerque Association of Realtors
In partnership with the
Emergency Relief Fund
ABQ Community Foundation $25,000
• Anchorum Health Foundation $25,000
• Casa De Peregrinos
In partnership with Albertsons $24,950
• L& F Distributers $20,000 (Yesway/Allsup’s Match)
• Partners at Elephant Ranch Bar,
Grounded, Sparkey’s Burgers $16,000
• Shiner Beers Foundation $15,000 (Yesway/Allsup’s Match)
• Marathon Petroleum $15,000
• Organ Mountain Outfitters $10,000
• Robert & Evelyn McKee Foundation $10,000
• WaterBridge $10,000
• Frank W. Yates Jr. Family Foundation $10,000
• Con Alma Foundation $7,500
• Kodiak Foundation $5,000
• Holder Construction $5,000
• Amarillo Area Foundation $5,000
• Pepsi $5,000
• St. John’s United Methodist Church $2,835
• Emerald Isle $2,300
• Hanuman Foundation $1,008
• Food King $1,012
• Sierra Lobo Inc. $1,000
We will continue to work with agencies and organizations to support emerging needs and long-term revitalization efforts. We are thankful to all of you. As we have shared, we know this will be a long road. We will continue to provide updates and maintain contact with all the communities impacted. Our hearts are with our Lincoln and Otero communities.
We kindly request that any checks be made to the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico with “Greatest Needs Impact Fund for Lincoln & Otero” in the memo line. Our physical and mailing address is 2640 El Paseo Road, Las Cruces, NM 88001. To donate, please visit https://cfsnm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4993.
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About Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico
The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico serves as a community resource, connects donors to needs, and supports charitable organizations in their work. At the Community Foundation, we are committed to improving the quality of life in southern New Mexico now and for generations to come. As a center for charitable giving, we support countless meaningful causes in the twelve counties we serve, which include: Catron, Chaves, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Sierra and Socorro.