Good News Roundup: Car giveaway, Barrett Foundations receives grant, and pet donations

Welcome to the weekly good news roundup, bringing you some of the great “good news” from around New Mexico.

‘Trying to do the right thing’

Valley Auto Sales in Northwest Albuquerque is doing something pretty extraordinary this holiday season: giving away a car to a person who is currently dealing with cancer.

“We’re trying to do the right thing and give back to the community,” Mark Padilla, owner of Valley Auto Sales, said. The inspiration to hold this giveaway is deeply personal to Padilla, who lost his mother Theresa to cancer in 2016.

“She was a kind person who always taught me to do right,” he said. “So I’m doing this in her name.”

The dealership is giving away a 2007 Ford Focus and partnering with Ultimate Insurance to provide the recipient of the car with six months of free car insurance.

Valley Auto Sales is asking those interested to submit a short story on how cancer has affected or is currently affecting their lives — and how they plan on using this car to ease their burden.

Submissions can be sent to albqmark@yahoo.com by Dec. 13. Padilla said the dealership is planning on choosing a winner on Dec. 20 and said he hopes the car provides a sense of comfort to the eventual recipient.

“I hope it helps them get to chemo and doctors appointments and just makes life better for them. That would be fantastic,” he said.

The Barrett Foundation receives grant

The Barrett Foundation, which runs the Barrett House Shelter that provides housing and services to women and children experiencing homelessness, will be a recipient of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico’s Blue Impact grant.

The Barrett Foundation announced on Monday that it will receive $40,000 from the grant. The money will help expand its essential services, which include job training and housing assistance for shelter residents. The grant funds also will be used to improve shelter conditions and offer more comprehensive 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 just shelter, but the tools and support they need to rebuild their lives,” said Holly Durante, its director of development . “This generous grant from BCBSNM will allow us to strengthen our services and provide more opportunities for our residents to achieve long-term stability and independence. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership in helping us create lasting change in our community.”

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, which is one of the state’s largest commercial health insurers, launched the Blue Impact grant initiative in 2011. It was previously known as the “Health Kids, Healthy Families” initiative. Its 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 through Nov. 29 to benefit local animal shelters.

Requested items 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 at 800 Louisiana Blvd. SE; 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.