With the holiday season coming up, the need for many of Carlsbad’s most vulnerable residents is only increasing. This week, we spoke with Wayne and Carol Worley about their wonderful Packs for Hunger program. They are currently preparing 301 packs every single week, with weekly expenses totaling around $6,000. Packs for Hunger has been blessed with so many generous donations, volunteers and support, but the need is also the highest it has ever been. Were it not for this organization, many of these kids wouldn’t eat over the weekend. Other organizations focused on feeding local residents in need are facing a similar crunch.
Linda Dodd and the United Way of Eddy County have kindly agreed to again begin a campaign to support local food organizations in Carlsbad, including Packs for Hunger and the Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation- which handles our essential senior meals program. You can visit www.uweddyco.org/givingthanks for a link to directly support Packs for Hunger and SENMCAC. We will work with other organizations to let you know about similar fundraising efforts as well. The need is very great right now, so if you are able to provide any assistance to these or other local organizations, it would be greatly appreciated. We’ll get with these organizations soon to provide a list of all of the wonderful sponsors and supporters.
COVID Update: On Friday, we were informed of 37 new positive COVID-19 cases in Eddy County and two COVID-related deaths. On Thursday, we were informed of 46 positives, which is our highest total for a single day yet. These are positive COVID cases across Eddy County- Loving, Artesia and Carlsbad. Please follow the COVID-safe guidelines we’ve all heard over the past few months, including avoiding large gatherings, practicing social distancing and wearing a mask when it is necessary.
Over the past few years, the City of Carlsbad has been extremely fortunate to have outstanding interns from both Carlsbad High School and the Early College High School. Our current intern, Valeria Quezada, has done an excellent job assisting the City with getting through this very stressful period of time.
Congratulations to Victoria Peña-Parr, one of our former interns, who graduated with her Bachelors in Political Science and Spanish from the University of New Mexico this past spring with a designation from the Honors College while remaining on the Dean’s List throughout her time as an undergraduate. Victoria stayed busy working an internship and several jobs while graduating in three years. She is presently working on her Masters in Spanish from UNM and is teaching Spanish at the college.
Our list of amazing recent interns also includes Stevie Aragon, Kayla Schwertner, Asia Corona, Aaron Braddock and Jaydin Contreras. We have high expectations from every one of these outstanding men and women.
Finally, congratulations to Leslie Rostro and everyone who put together Saturday’s ride in support of President Trump. It was a great display of this community’s incredible energy and enthusiasm toward the election process.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway