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Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, October 20, 2012.  You definitely won’t want to miss La Vida’s FIRST ANNUAL JOG FOR JOY, DASH ON THE DITCH 10K/5K  Fun Run and Family Fundraising Event!  Keep checking back for more information!

Date:   Saturday, October 20, 2012

Time:   Event begins with the 10K race at 9:00 a.m.

Place:   Heritage Park, 3447 Lambros Rd. SE, Los Lunas, New Mexico

What:   Lots of activities for everyone in the family to enjoy!  10k run, 5k run/walk, one-mile family fun walk, silent auction, children’s jumpers, face painting, food and drinks, music entertainment including a performance by the New Mexico Special Orchestra, and much more!

Contact:  Contact Adria Duran at adria@lvfnm.org or 865-4651 or Katie Otero at katie@lvfnm.org or 565-1614 to find out all the ways you can help La Vida Felicidad in this event.

Register online at www.active.com/running/los-lunas-nm/jog-for-joy-10k-5k-and-family-fun-walk-2012.

Donations are needed for our silent auction! If you are interested in supporting La Vida by becoming a Corporate Sponsor, please contact Adria Duran or  Katie Otero.  Click here to see the benefits of becoming a Corporate Sponsor.

We would like to thank everyone who donated toys for La Vida Felicidad’s toy drive this year.  The toy drive was very successful and we were able to distribute toys for many of the needy children who receive early childhood services at La Vida and their siblings.  This meant a great deal to the children, thank you!

La Vida’s Early Childhood Services Department also   held an Open House on December 16, 2011.  Thank you to all of you who came to visit our child care center and meet with our Early Intervention and Child Care staff.

Visitors learned about services La Vida offers, toured the child care center, and were entertained by the children with some holiday songs!

Shown from left to right: Jill Barker, La Vida's Development Specialist; Ignacio Perez, La Vida's COO; Beverly Bien, La Vida's CEO; Christine Morrell, BCBSNM Manager of IHS Operations

BlueCross BlueShield of New Mexico values giving and strong community involvement by supporting local nonprofit organizations with a similar focus.  In November 2011 La Vida Felicidad was honored with a generous donation from BCBSNM for its service to children, adults, and seniors with developmental disabilities or delays.

The mission of La Vida, for over 28 years, has been life quality for children and families, adults and seniors, through advocacy and individualized services in collaboration with community partnerships.

“We are just delighted to be recognized and honored by BCBSNM in this fashion; it is our vision to be the provider of choice for people with disabilities,” said Beverly Bien, CEO of La Vida.

The majority of La Vida’s services are provided in Valencia and Socorro Counties, but the organization also offers targeted services in Bernalillo, Cibola, McKinley, and San Juan Counties.

“In everything we do, we seek to help all individuals, regardless of their age, physical capabilities, cultural background, or income level, to live full and productive lives,” said Ms. Bien, “and it is through the gracious support of individuals, businesses, and organizations like BCBSNM that we are able to accomplish these goals.”

Beginning October 1, 2011 La Vida will begin providing early intervention services to infants and children and their families in Cibola County.  La Vida will also begin providing respite services to children and adults in both Cibola and McKinley Counties.

La Vida has been providing early intervention services – family-centered services for infants and children with developmental disabilities or delays, or those who are at risk for developmental disability or delay, and their families – since 1983.  Last fiscal year we provided early intervention services to 400 children and families in Valencia County.

La Vida would like to warmly welcome our newest employees and most especially, the children and families receiving services in Cibola and McKinley Counties.

For more information on early intervention services in Cibola County, please contact Susie Rhoderick at 505-287-5118.

For more information on respite services, please contact Cheryl Rogge at 505-565-1614.

US Bank, formerly First Community Bank, named La Vida Felicidad Client of the Month for June 2011.  For the entire month the Los Lunas branch displayed La Vida’s presentation board and brochures in their lobby.  US Bank employees also wore a button each Friday that read “I love La Vida Felicidad”.  Thank you US Bank!