New Mexico’s Hometown Heroes
The coronavirus pandemic has brought upon some of the most challenging times many of us will ever face. But it has also shown us how dependent we are on one another for support. I am immensely proud of the people of New Mexico who are demonstrating what it means to rise to this challenge. From health care workers on the front lines of this crisis, to small businesses using technology and innovation to meet urgent needs, to ordinary citizens following public health guidance — New Mexicans are looking out for one another.
I want to help tell the stories of the everyday New Mexicans who are bringing much-needed aid — and inspiration — to those in need. I launched the Hometown Heroes initiative to shine a spotlight on the true heroes stepping up to serve their communities during the coronavirus pandemic. I’ve asked New Mexicans to nominate heroes in their communities and the response has been amazing. I’m highlighting these inspiring and powerful stories on my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #HometownHeroesNM. You can also follow along below.
Do you know a New Mexican you’d like to nominate as a Hometown Hero? Click here.
Rolling Still Distillery (Taos)
Our small business community is finding creative ways to help out fellow New Mexicans. When there were shortages in supplies, the Rolling Still distillery in Taos turned their attention to making hand sanitizer. #HometownHeroesNM https://www.taosnews.com/stories/taos-distillery-rolls-out-hand-sanitizer,62999
Andrea Tafoya, Louis E. Armijo Elementary School (Las Vegas)
Even though the school year was ended to protect the health of our children and their families, Andrea Tafoya, a first grade teacher at Louis E. Armijo Elementary School in Las Vegas, took the time to call every single one of her student’s parents. She then drove to visit each student — from a safe distance away in her car — to tell them she was still their teacher and she will do everything she can to support them as they transition temporarily to learning from home. #HometownHeroesNM https://www.lasvegasoptic.com/content/local-elementary-teacher-visits-students-during-school-closures?
Future Forge Makerspace (Silver City)
Getting desperately-needed PPE to our medical professionals has become an all-hands-on-deck effort, and Silver City’s Future Forge Makerspace has stepped up to the challenge by making hundreds of face shields, as well as other protective gear, and donating them to local facilities. To Stephen and all the heroes at Future Forge: thank you. #HometownHeroesNM https://www.scsun-news.com/story/news/local/2020/04/10/coronavirus-silver-city-future-forge-makerspace-produces-offset-shortages/5122317002/
Weil Construction, Albuquerque Army Corps of Engineers (Albuquerque)
To keep up with the increase in COVID-19 patients, New Mexico needs more hospital beds. Weil Construction, the Albuquerque District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and nearly 200 IBEW and UA craftsmen are making that happen by working around the clock to remodel a defunct Albuquerque hospital. When completed, the old Lovelace hospital at the Gibson Medical Center will be able to hold 200 COVID-19 patients and serve as overflow space for nearby hospitals at capacity. #HometownHeroesNM https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/news/2020/04/14/abq-construction-company-army-corps-of-engineers.html
Cami Mallory had already been doing great children’s advocacy work in Albuquerque before the COVID-19 crisis. But now in the face of the pandemic, she and her family started their own organization, Families Feeding Families, specifically to help the families across New Mexico who are facing food insecurity. Cami, her wife, and their daughter pack their SUV full of fruits, vegetables, and canned goods, and then deliver these items to families that are unable to obtain their own groceries. Thank you to the Mallory family for helping your fellow New Mexicans in need. #HometownHeroesNM
Linda Swisher-Smiley, MagEboard (Magdalena)
To help Magdalena stay connected, Linda Swisher-Smiley began MagEboard, an online newsletter. Even before COVID-19, MagEboard served to keep residents informed not only about community happenings, but also official notices, like school closures and fire warnings. Now, Linda is using MagEboard to make sure the town gets information from trusted health officials like the CDC and NMDOH, and to provide resources to those who need them.
From showing how to make a face covering (Linda sent this helpful step-by-step example to her subscribers!) to helping connect residents to the resources they need, thank you Linda for keeping the town of Magdalena connected during a time of isolation. #HometownHeroesNM
Melissa Hart, Stitchology (Albuquerque)
Melisa Hart had to close her Albuquerque fabric store, Stitchology, due to COVID-19. But that didn’t stop her from using her business and resources to help the community. When it became clear that there would be a shortage of masks, Melisa set up a pick-up location outside her store to distribute kits with enough pre-cut materials to make 25 masks per kit, and a donation box to return finished masks. Because of Melisa’s great effort, thousands of masks have been delivered to New Mexico’s front line health workers. Thank you Melisa and everyone at Stitchology! #HometownHeroesNM
Monica Topham, Play Sharity (Deming)
Monica Topham, the executive director of Deming’s Play Sharity Children’s Museum and Toy Library, has utilized Play Sharity’s maker-space and lending library to organize a community volunteer effort called #DemingSHARES. Through #DemingSHARES, Monica delivers sewing machines and supplies to local volunteers who then help package and deliver face masks to nursing homes, police officers, first responders, and local shelters. At the same time, Play Sharity makes sure that Deming children and families have plenty of enriching activities to do from home by keeping them connected through the organization’s Facebook page. Thank you Monica, Play Sharity, and the #DemingSHARES volunteers for going above and beyond to support the Deming community during this time. #HometownHeroesNM
Tracy Hausermann, Mitchell Elementary School (Albuquerque)
Tracy Hausermann is a 2nd grade teacher at Mitchell Elementary School in Albuquerque. The transition to at-home learning has been difficult for teachers and students alike, and Tracy has been working hard to stay in touch with her students and their parents. But Tracy isn’t just making sure parents stay informed and students stay engaged through remote learning. She has been going above and beyond, dropping off snacks and schoolwork outside her students’ doors and following up to let them know that her care package reached them. I’d like to thank our Hometown Hero Tracy, as well as every New Mexico teacher going the distance to make sure their students thrive and succeed in this challenging new environment. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #HometownHeroesNM
Our health care professionals have shown grace and compassion as they work around the clock to save New Mexicans’ lives. Krista Mericle is a registered nurse in Tucumcari, serving the local hospital’s patients as well as working in the emergency department. Not only does Krista work on the front line of this crisis to care for hospital patients, but she remains on call as Tucumcari Public Schools’ lone school nurse, answering questions from faculty, parents, and students. Krista, thank you for hard work keeping Quay County residents safe and healthy. #HometownHeroesNM
Peggy McCraken, Checkerboard Area Food Pantry (Cuba)
Peggy McCracken runs the Checkerboard Area Food Pantry, which serves rural areas like Cuba and Gallina, as well as the Navajo communities of Torreon and Ojo Encino. During the COVID-19 crisis, the pantry has provided food to hundreds of families in need. Peggy organized a way to keep the pantry open and get food safely to families by having volunteers bring the packaged items to clients’ cars. Because of her dedication, the pantry can continue to providing assistance during this difficult time. Thank you, Peggy! #HometownHeroesNM
Lovelyn Bassani works at a Santa Fe grocery store, and is one of the thousands of essential workers in New Mexico who risk their safety to make sure we can continue to receive the services we need. Lovelyn is a Hometown Hero to so many. She was recognized by her community for her positivity and sincere willingness to assist and encourage both customers and her fellow staff members. Even though she is at risk, she continues to support those who are feeling the stress of this new uncertain reality. Lovelyn, you have not only your community’s heartfelt thanks for your vital service to Santa Fe, but mine as well. #HometownHeroesNM
Nico Grayson is an 8th grader at Albuquerque’s Desert Ridge Middle School, and like every other New Mexico student, he has to adjust to a lot of extra time at home. He decided to use his time away from the classroom to help out his neighbors in need. Nico sent out an email to his neighbors, many of whom are high-risk individuals, to advertise “Nico’s Grocery Delivery Service.” All his neighbors have to do is email or call with their order, and every Thursday morning he sets out to stores across the city to shop for them. By the afternoon, groceries are safely in his neighbors’ hands, free of delivery charge. Nico, because of your work, your neighbors don’t have to worry about putting themselves at a greater risk in order to get food on the table. Thank you for being their Hometown Hero! #HometownHeroesNM
Erin Garrison, Food Is Free Albuquerque (Albuquerque)
When Erin Garrison’s organization was disrupted by COVID-19, she found new ways to serve her community through the non-profit’s mission. Food is Free Albuquerque was established to improve the availability of fresh, local produce by helping distribute growers’ surplus harvests. But as New Mexicans begun to stay home, Erin saw an opportunity to give people a chance to grow their own fresh produce. She and her volunteers started to build wood pallet garden boxes, complete with soil and seeds, and deliver them throughout the community — free of charge. Thanks to Erin and the work at Food is Free Albuquerque, locals don’t just have better access to fresh produce, they have the opportunity to take on a fun and useful new skill while following the stay at home order. #HometownHeroesNM
Alice Davenport, Moonbow Alterations (Las Cruces)
Alice Davenport runs a one-person sewing and alterations shop in Las Cruces. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Alice knew that she could put her talent to use by making face masks and donating to the city’s essential workers. After giving away dozens of those masks, Alice started to give masks to anybody who might need one to go to the grocery store, pharmacy, or other public places. Alice, thank you for being a hero and helping Las Cruces residents take steps to keep themselves safe and healthy! #HometownHeroesNM
During times of uncertainty, communities can lean on those who have consistently provided support, like Jean Nichols of Llano. Jean has been stepping up to help the Taos area since before the COVID-19 crisis, through her work supporting the ReUse Center in Chamisal as well as organizing community events. Her love and care for her community has left its mark on residents as they navigate this new reality. Jean, your community wants you to know how grateful they are for your service and that you are their Hometown Hero. You have my thanks, as well. #HometownHeroesNM
