November 18 – Welcome to the Weekly Good News Roundup, where we bring you some of the great “Good News” from across New Mexico.
‘Trying to do the right thing’
Valley Auto Sales in Northwest Albuquerque is doing something extraordinary this holiday season: giving away a car to someone currently battling cancer.
“We try to do the right thing and give back to the community,” said Mark Padilla, owner of Valley Auto Sales. The inspiration to hold this giveaway is deeply personal for Padilla, who lost his mother Theresa to cancer in 2016.
“She was a kind person who always taught me to do the right thing,” he said. “So I’m doing this in her name.”
The dealer is giving away a 2007 Ford Focus and has partnered with Ultimate Insurance to offer the recipient of the car six months of free car insurance.
Valley Auto Sales is asking interested parties to submit a short story about how cancer has affected or is currently affecting their lives – and how they plan to use this car to lighten their burden.
Entries can be sent to albqmark@yahoo.com by December 13. Padilla said the dealer plans to choose a winner on Dec. 20 and said he hopes the car will provide a sense of comfort to the final recipient.
“I hope it helps them get to chemo and doctor appointments and just makes life better for them. That would be fantastic,” he said.
The Barrett Foundation receives a grant
The Barrett Foundation, which operates the Barrett House Shelter that provides housing and services to women and children experiencing homelessness, will receive the Blue Impact grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico.
The Barrett Foundation announced Monday that it will receive $40,000 from the grant. The money will help expand essential services, including job training and housing assistance for shelter residents. The grant funds will also be used to improve shelter conditions and provide expanded case management services for residents.
“Our mission at the Barrett Foundation is to end the experience of homelessness for women and children by providing not only shelter, but the resources and support they need to rebuild their lives,” says Holly Durante, director of development. “This generous grant from BCBSNM will allow us to strengthen our services and provide our residents with greater opportunities to achieve long-term stability and independence. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership in helping create lasting change in our community.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, one of the state’s largest commercial health insurers, launched the Blue Impact grant initiative in 2011. Previously it was known as the “Health Kids, Healthy Families” initiative. The goal is to provide economic opportunity and stability through grants to organizations whose mission is to benefit the health and well-being of the greater community.
Donations for our four-legged friends
The Albuquerque Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center is hosting a donation drive to benefit local animal shelters through November 29.
Items in demand include pet food, cleaning supplies, pet beds, cat litter, leashes and collars, blankets and treats, and toys.
Donated items can be dropped off at APD’s Southeast Substation, located at 800 Louisiana Blvd. LIKE THIS; the Valley Area substation at 5408 2nd St. NW; and the Emergency Communications and Real-Time Crime Center Bridge at 11510 Sunset Gardens Rd. SW.
Do you have any good news yourself?
Please don’t be shy. It’s time to brag about some of the good things in Albuquerque and beyond. You can email your good news ideas to goodnews@abqjournal.com.
