ABQ Times

This week, Mayor Tim Keller recognized outstanding members of the Albuquerque community with the Volunteer of the Month and One Albuquerque Awards. The celebration honored award recipients from the last three months for their contributions and service to the city.

The following individuals were acknowledged for their diverse efforts:

Volunteer Award Recipients:

- Sylvia Eccles, Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Library

- Regina Hoefler, Health, Housing & Homelessness Department

- Mary Cox, New Mexico Veterans Memorial

One Albuquerque Award Recipients:

- Aura Acabal, La Mesa Elementary School

- Dwayne Baker, City of Albuquerque Transit Department

- Bill O’Connell and Veronica Lueras, Department of Senior Affairs, Nutrition & Transportation

These individuals exemplify the One Albuquerque spirit through their dedication and impact on their respective communities. For those interested in getting involved, more information is available at cabq.gov/volunteer.

“Impactful civic engagement can happen at any scale,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Simple but effective actions in our neighborhoods can create real change, especially when everyone gets involved.”

During the event, Mayor Keller also highlighted the Office of Civic Engagement’s most recent Annual Volunteer Report. The report provides an overview of how volunteering impacts the community and details efforts to connect more people with service opportunities.

Key highlights from the Annual Report include:

Service Hours: Over 550 nonprofit organizations, businesses, and city departments have tracked a total of 88,592 volunteer hours this year, translating to an economic impact of over $2 million.

Volunteer Growth: The volunteer community has grown to 23,770 active volunteers, with 4,194 new volunteers joining in 2023 alone.

Volunteer Opportunities: Since launching the One Albuquerque Volunteers platform, nearly 2,000 volunteer opportunities have been hosted resulting in over 30,000 volunteer shifts.

The City of Albuquerque remains committed to connecting residents with service opportunities in their neighborhoods. By partnering with various departments and community organizations, numerous avenues are provided for people to make a difference—whether it’s adopting a local bus stop or volunteering at an animal shelter or neighborhood library.