UWCNM Youth Interns Support Ball Field of Hope Fundraising Events

Blog written by UWCNM Youth Intern Shelby Jones

On October 23rd and October 29th, youth interns at United Way of Central New Mexico put together booths for Mission ABQ: Mission Training Center’s Harvest Festival to fundraise for the Ball Field of Hope in Albuquerque’s South Valley. To prepare for this event interns worked on various aspects of the project including, marketing, planning, fundraising ideas, and finances.

Projects included creating signs, posters, games, decorating, data collecting, budgeting, and more. The interns worked together in teams and individually to complete these tasks.

One of the youth interns, Morgan Johnston (featured above), volunteered at the booth on the 23rd. This booth was held at Pericos Tacos and Burritos. Morgan ran various activities such as guessing how many baseball and softball beads were in a jar and the participants won prizes for participation. In total, both booths attracted 130 visitors.

At a third event, a Sports Clinic and Fun-raiser supported by UNM Lobos baseball and Atrisco Heritage Academy softball teams held on November 6th at the Ball Field of Hope, other interns helped set up the event and run activities. Here are some shared thoughts about the field and this project:

“I think it was really fun and the kids were just happy to have a field to use,” said Taylor Hall.

“It was nice to meet everyone in person while being able to help with this project,” Henry Furlow said.

“I liked the ball field of hope. It was in a cute area in the back of a neighborhood and I liked the location of it,” shared Pauline Mae Sanchez.

The next big project for the interns is our Rising Together Road Show! It will be held on December 10th at Los Lunas Public Library, and December 11th at the Albuquerque Museum. Look out for future posts with more information.