Funds raised by Sandia staff reach victims of devastating wildfires

In the wake of the devastating New Mexico wildfires last year, Sandia launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to aid in recovery efforts. The community involvement team organized the campaign, called Together We Rise, to raise funds that supported residents evacuated from areas destroyed by the wildfires. Donations assisted organizations throughout the state to provide essentials such as food and clothing.

Sandia staff raised $103,000, which was matched with a $25,000 donation from NTESS, totaling $128,000 in wildfire relief. As the one-year anniversary of the wildfires is remembered, the Albuquerque Community Foundation has released a breakdown of how the donations were distributed.

The total raised by Sandia staff and NTESS was added to the Emergency Action Fund, created by The Albuquerque Community Foundation and the United Way of North Central New Mexico to support communities damaged by wildfires. The Emergency Action Fund raised $563,000, including the $128,000 donated by Sandia. Of the action fund’s total, $100,000 was given immediately to nonprofits that provided emergency and basic human need services. The remainder of the funds were set aside to be used for long-term recovery.

Long-term recovery

While using Together We Rise donations to provide immediate relief was crucial, the wildfires caused so much damage that sustained, continuing efforts are necessary to fully recover the affected areas. The fires increased vulnerability of the exposed lands to seasonal rains, triggering flash flooding and debris flows, which resulted in both short-term and long-term damage to local homes, vegetation, streams and wildlife. Long-term planning and continued financial support are critical to ensure the affected areas can rebuild and regenerate effectively.

Lawrence Leahy, a Federal Emergency Management Agency long-term recovery specialist working in northern New Mexico, reported to the donors involved in the grant selection process.

“Communities impacted by fires benefit from funding for long-term recovery efforts long after the fire. Funds are needed for immediate response support and also for long-term recovery support. Long-term recovery can last for several years; it is vital that funds continue to be available so communities can successfully achieve their recovery goals,” Leahy said.

Many receiving organizations have reported how much these funds are helpful to them in their efforts to repair the community and protect their homesteads from monsoon flooding. Donations went to organizations focused on reforestation, prevention and increasing economic opportunities.

Helen Forte, director of Community Impact at Taos Community Foundation, expressed her gratitude for the donation and stated that the “funds were distributed to the Hermit’s Peak Watershed Alliance for watershed mitigation, and to St. Paul’s Peace for housing needs in communities still suffering from the damage and displacement caused by the wildfires.”

Through the generosity of Sandia staff, the Together We Rise campaign has substantially impacted short- and long-term recovery from the wildfires and has played a vital role in supporting affected communities, community relations specialist Roberta Rivera said. The campaign raised significant funding that continues to provide a strong foundation for rebuilding efforts. The success of this campaign demonstrates the collective determination of the Sandia community to rally during crisis.