Recipients of United Way grants and board members
Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy
At the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce regular monthly luncheon meeting on Oct. 4, 2018, members and guests heard a presentation from John Sterle of the Allingham-Golding American Legion Post 18.
John Sterle promotes Fisher House for veteransSterle is a member of the Committee for Fisher House, which he described as similar to a Ronald McDonald House for families of patients in hospitals. However, the Fisher House is for only military families when their military member is in a Veterans Administration Hospital and they can stay at the Fisher House at no cost.
He explained the different branches of the Armed Forces, with an analogy of each as a family member. The Army is the oldest brother and the mom and dad made mistakes. The Navy brother is the middle son and wanted to explore when he left home. The Marine brother is the youngest and he could do what he wanted. Then the mother got a divorce and remarried. The Air Force is her fourth son and she loves him the best, but he is spoiled rotten. The Coast Guard is the rich stepdad's son from his first marriage.
"I am the New Mexico advocate for Fisher House," Sterle said. "I served in the Navy from 1958-1980. Ten years ago, I joined the American Legion, and for the past three years, I have also been a member of the Gaffney-Ogleby Marine Corps League Detachment 1328."
The new Fisher House facility in Albuquerque is to have its groundbreaking on Nov. 9. "There have been a lot of roadblocks, because the VA Hospital was designated as a historic building. Any new building, the New Mexico Historic Preservation Division has to sign off on it. The standard plans for a Fisher House had to be changed. We've been at loggerheads with NM Historic Preservation for five years. It will take eight to nine months to complete. It costs about $6 million to build a Fisher House. The Fisher House Foundation, which has existed since 1990, puts in the first $3 million, and we have to fund the rest. We are looking for corporate sponsors or individuals willing to donate."
"Our American Legion post has 200 members," Sterle said. "The American Legion Riders do a lot for veterans. All the money they recently raised in a raffle they took to the Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. The rancher who has donated a whole beef each year is not able to donate any more. This year they raffled an AR-15 and raised $4,000 to send to the Fisher House. I raffled a quilt that I received from the Southwest Quilters' Guild and raised $7,000 for the Fisher House. I'm the southwest New Mexico Fisher House advocate. There's one in Carlsbad, one in Logan and one in Farmington. I presented at the New Mexico State University Kappa Sigma and they gave $5,000. It's all about helping veterans and their families when they have to be in a VA facility."
He said Hero Miles are donations of frequent flier miles from specific airlines that can be used for wounded or ill military members or their families for them to visit when their veteran family members are in a military hospital. Stays at hotels can also be funded through donations of points gained when staying in specific hotels or motels.
Sterle said the first Fisher House was built at Bethesda, Maryland and the second in Washington, D.C. There are now 76 Fisher Houses in operation, with one at Fort Bliss, one in Tucson and two or three in Phoenix. They are for veterans' families that live more than 50 miles away from a VA facility, so the families can stay near their veteran. For more information go to fisherhouse.org.
Bruce Ashburn, who was moderating the meeting, expressed a thank you to veterans who have given much of their lives in service to country.
He introduced Bill Conner, the local executive director of United Way. Ashburn said he is a United Way of Southwest New Mexico board member.
Conner said United Way has been donating funds for more than 60 years. "I cover six counties. My whole staff is here with me today. Stacy Cox represents us in Grant County. We center on community impact on basic needs, which include health and food security, education and financial stability. We do a lot of literacy programs and the My Free taxes program. We work with other non-profits, including the Community Action Agency which works on taxes. Right now, we're doing campaigns to raise money. We appreciate the support of PNM and Freeport employees who commit a part of their payroll. The Community Impact Fund donates to non-profits. We are here today to give out checks. We work through the summer on applications to determine recipients. Renee Muñiz of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments and Bruce are on the allocation committee. We are putting $90,000 back into the community. The recipients are Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Gila Valley Library, Girl Scouts, Imagination Library, the Lions reading program, Literacy Link Leamos, El Refugio Inc., Roadrunner Food Bank, Silver Regional Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS), Support of Persons in Need (SPIN), and the National Center for Frontier Communities. We met to talk about Give Grandly in May. We look forward to continuing to build our relationship in Grant County. There are so many wonderful organizations in Grant County. When United Way left before, there were really hard feelings. Thank you for mending fences."
SPIN announced a Nov. 3 fundraiser dance at the Old Elks Club. Karen Beckenbach announced upcoming Community Concerts. Scott Terry, chamber president and manager of the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center, said anyone wanting to hold a holiday party at the center should book it soon. "Dates are booking up fast into 2019. In February, we have a Karate Tournament already booked."
April Ortiz said the upcoming Bowl for Kid's Sake by BBBS is seeking sponsors. "We will have a new event, a Color Run, at the end of April next year."
El Refugio announced its annual domestic violence training for law enforcement on Oct. 18.
Terry said the next chamber luncheon will take place Nov. 1.