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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (FOX NEW MEXICO) – Times are tough as people continue to adapt to a COVID-19 world. One major change people are seeing is visitation hours at hospitals. The Metro Rotary learned that patients in local hospitals with COVID-19 are unable to have visitors or see their families.

Ron Rioux Memorial Burger Burn

On a chilly November morning, Team Metro assembled at Highland High School for our annual fund raising event, the Burger Burn. Sandia Labs sponsors an electric car competition for middle school students from throughout the state, and we provide them with needed sustenance. It's mighty cold, but we always enjoy working together on this project. Proceeds will fund RYLA students during the 2016 summer camp program.

Pints for Polio

Team Metro took part in the Albuquerque-wide effort to boost knowledge about Rotary's efforts to eliminate polio and to raise money for the Polio Fund. Saturday, October 24, found us teaming up with the Del Norte club at Rio Bravo Brewery, receiving donations for the cause. The beer was good, too.

Bastille Day has come and gone

July 18th found us celebrating Bastille Day at Delish Restaurant. Fred Pugh, one of our very active honorary members, served as emcee for the evening, providing plenty of levity with the French trivia contest. Some very absurd prizes were awarded to the lucky winners. We were fortunate to have several guests from Camp Enchantment, along with District Governor Tom Walker and DG Elect Dave Anderson. Metro proved once again that we are the "happiest hour in Rotary"!

Bastille Day Dinner

Coming up on July 18 is our celebration of the French National Day, also known as Bastille Day. We will be enjoying a delicious 3 course meal at Delish, 3705 Ellison Rd NW, Albuquerque. Gather at 6 PM, with dinner served at 6:30. Cost is $40 per person, $70 for two. Contact your favorite Metro member or Sue Townsend at 892-0342 to purchase tickets by July 1.

Ernie Pyle Middle School Music Program

On May 12, students of the band and orchestra programs of Ernie Pyle Middle School in the South Valley presented their year-end music program. Metro provided the band with needed supplies (reeds, strings, etc) as well as a couple of musical instruments. Several members had the opportunity to attend the concert.

According to the band director, our donations made it possible for a successful year for the program. Without replacement parts, many of the students would not have been able to participate for the entire year, as their families could not provide the supplies and the school could not budget for these items. Our support for the school was supplemented by a District Matching Grant.

The plan for Ernie Pyle is that it become the magnet school for the arts in the South Valley. A new preforming arts building is under construction and should be completed during the 2015-16 school year.

Service Project at Ronald McDonald House

April 29, 7 members and 3 guests (two from England!) prepared a salad bar for the guests at Ronald McDonald House. We completed the task in 45 minutes, including sharpening as many knives at the House as we could.

Bosque Clean-Up

Posted on Mar 28, 2015

Today 6 members and 5 helpers cheerfully cleaned up a section of the Bosque adjacent to the Old Town Farm. We collected 53 bags of trash, mostly plastic water bottles and bits of styrofoam, in 3 hours. It was rewarding to be acknowledged by folks using the trail, as well as the owners of the Farm. While not a perfect job, it looks 500% better. Since I can't figure out how to add pictures here, go to our Facebook page to see the before, during and after shots!

APS Electric Car Race & Metro Burger Burn

Posted by Sue Townsend on Nov 22, 2014

November 22 found hearty Metroites burning burgers at the annual Electric Car Race, sponsored by Sandia Labs, PNM and the Albuquerque School District. The challenge was to turn out hamburgers and hot dogs on half a grill, until Fred Pugh returned with a repaired part for the other half of the grill. Despite the challenges and long lines of waiting customers, it was a great "bonding" experience for members who participated. This is an annual event - check us out next year.

An added feature was a banner commemorating Ron Rioux, a strong supporter of both the car race event and Metro Rotary.

Time to Strike out Homelessness!

Posted by Anne Black

The Supportive Housing Coalition of New Mexico raised about $10,000 in a fun filled afternoon this past Saturday at their "Strike out Homelessness" fundraiser. Our club PBA bowler was unavailable due to injury (get better soon Willie!) but the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Metro team (Anne, Connie, Nicole, Tina, and Grant) had a great time anyway. As you can see from the pictures, we had to bring out the junior coaching staff to assist the club president with technique, and our RYE student Billy subbed in for players as needed.

To learn more about the Supportive Housing Coalition or the "Albuquerque Heading Home" initiative contact Mikayla Ortega or visit their website at http://www.thehousingcoalition.org/

Thanks for the opportunity to join your fundraiser!

Be the Match!

Posted by Grant Black on Sep 16, 2014

Mrs. New Mexico Nikki Marie Garcia visits the Metro Club!

Discusses a great lifesaving cause. Bone Marrow Donors are desperately needed. Friends of Metro, please consider this great cause.

To learn more about the cure, visit BeTheMatch.org or call 1 (800) MARROW-2.

Our friends at the New Mexico Veterans Integration Center (NMVIC) are preparing for Stand Down 2014

Stand Down 2014

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 (VETERANS ONLY): 9AM-3PM
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2014 (VETERANS & NON-VETERANS): 9AM-3PM

'Hands up' not a 'Hand out'
The New Mexico Veterans Integration Center (NMVIC), NM Department Workforce Solutions - VETS, NM Department Veterans' Services, and the VA Medical Center unite with federal, state, local and other non-profit organizations to assist homeless veterans during what is known as the Stand Down & Project Hand-up in Albuquerque.

Stand Down is a military term originating from times of war when exhausted combat troops were given the opportunity to return to a place of relative security to rest and recover. Stand Downs today have become common as a means to care for and advocate for homeless veterans. Every day, like the soldier in combat, the homeless veterans must continue to do battle. His enemies often include lack of shelter, unemployment, physical and emotional difficulties, legal difficulties, substance abuse and hopelessness. Battling these enemies on a daily basis creates a self-destructive cycle leading to complete withdrawal from mainstream American society. To aid homeless veterans in regaining their dignity and self-respect, our help is required - our organizations offer a 'hand up' not a 'hand out.'

REGISTRATION is now open and the completed form is due on August 31, 2014. To register, please fill out the provider registration form.

LOOKING FOR A WAY TO HELP? Take a look at our needs list.

VIEW: FLYER

This Year's Stand Down will be held at Noon Day Ministries, located at:
NOON DAY MINISTRIES
101 BROADWAY BLVD NE
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87102

OTHER NM STAND DOWNS: To find other Stand Downs being held in the state of New Mexico, take a look at ourStand Down list. We'll update the list as information becomes available.

CLUB CONTACTS:

Club Service Projects Chair: Victoria Black

Pre - Stand Down activities : Grant Black

Stand Down activities: Fred Pugh

All content from: http://nmvic.org/standdown2014.html