Thrive honors donors at annual luncheon

The Sgt. Willie Estrada Civic Center in Alamogordo was transformed into a spring wonderland for Thrive in Southern New Mexico, formerly United Way of Otero County, for Thrive's 2019 Annual Awards luncheon April 18.

Thrive raised $400,000 which is 95 percent of their 2018-2019 fundraising goal.

"We are so close (to the goal) so I just want to just go ahead and say that we made it," Thrive spokeswoman Stephanie Hale said. "Can you believe it? Second year with the new name. We are just rockin' n' rollin.' So, thanks to all of you who are here for your wonderful contributions that you've given through Thrive to our community."

Funds raised go to community programs such as Meals on Wheels, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Cloudcroft summer youth, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE), Habitat for Humanity, congregate meals at Tularosa Senior Center and more.

During an afternoon of awards and recognition, the Helen Kirk Award was presented for outstanding individual work done on behalf of Thrive to Penina Nunnelley of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Last year's Helen Kirk Award winner was Tularosa Basin Telephone Company general manager Josh Beug.

The award has been given out since 1986 in memory of Helen R. Kirk who served as United Way of Otero County Director from 1965 to 1985. 

Some of this year's notable donors include Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center which presented its $182,715 donation as a big check at the luncheon; Desert Sun Auto Group, First National Bank, Otero County Electric Cooperative, Tularosa Basin Telephone Company, Otero Federal Credit Union, Bank 34, Albertsons Market and PNM.

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on twitter at @nicmaxreporter