Thrive sets out to reach campaign drive goal to better community

ALAMOGORDO – Thrive in Southern New Mexico is asking for the community’s help to reach its $440,000 goal to help local non-profit organizations thrive.

Thrive’s 2017/2018 Campaign Drive to Thrive kicked off Sept. 1, 2017 and the organization has been busy making a difference in the community ever since.

The campaign will come to end by the end of March.

Thrive in Southern New Mexico’s main mission is to create lasting change by focusing on the most critical local needs.

Thrive spokeswoman Stephanie Hale said Thrive raises money year-round to help non-profit organizations in the community.

“Every year we set a goal to raise money, those non-profits apply for funds to advance their agency,” Hale said. “We have a committee called the Funds Allocation Committee (FAC), and every year it’s a group of citizens from Otero County, about 10 to 15 people that meet for a week. They see a presentation from those non-profits and do site visits. That committee then has to decide how much money each program gets.”

So far, she said Thrive has raised about 76 percent of its goal, about $335,000, but they need about $100,000 more.

“We are grateful to local businesses that have donated. The community pushed us to where we are now. We want to get that last $100,000,” Hale said. “We’re just trying to meet that goal so that these non-profits can fund their programs. Last year our goal was $450,000. We made over $400,000, we don’t want to short our non-profits. We just really want to help our community.”

She said even a small pledge goes a long way and every donation counts.

A $2.50 pledge per week ensures five children receive a book each month through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. A $10 per week pledge will allow 32 families to participate in an eight-week circle of security class through Children in Need of Services (CHINS). Pledging $20 per week will purchase numerous diapers each month for the Pregnancy Help Center’s Building Blocks Program.

“They could do a onetime donation or set a payroll every paycheck or every month, however they want to do it,” Hale said. “A small pledge honestly goes a long way.”

Since Thrive re-branded from United Way of Otero County, Hale said all the money raised stays in Otero County and doesn’t go to a higher entity to be dispersed.

“All the money that’s raised stays right here in Otero County. We don’t have to send the money to a higher entity because we are the entity,” she said. “We want to make sure people remember our name and it’s important to keep giving back to the community as much as we can. We are here to help the non-profits that need the help. We are so blessed, we have a small community but when it comes to helping each other out, we hit it out of the ballpark.”

Hale thanked all the local businesses and organizations in Otero and Lincoln counties who have donated to Thrive’s cause and encourages everyone to donate because she believes a community who works together, becomes an even better community.

“We couldn’t do it without them. Some of our partner agencies could not have their programs funded without Thrive,” she said.

After the campaign ends Hale said Thrive will continue working in the community and will be planning several different events throughout the year.

In May, Thrive will hold its annual awards ceremony. In June the organization will hold its annual golf tournament and in November, it will host its highly anticipated chili cook-off.

Another event that Thrive is also working on this summer is a big Fourth of July festivity which Hale said will be at Griggs Field and will have many vendors and entertainment.

To make a pledge, visit the Thrive in Southern New Mexico office at 1601 10th St. and pick up a pledge form. Pledge forms may also be mailed out. Donations can also be made through Thrive’s website, www.letsthrivenm.org or by calling 437-8400.