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Mario’s assists McDonald House

Mario’s Pizzeria & Ristorante is partnering with Ronald McDonald House of New Mexico during the holiday season of giving.

The community is invited to dine in or carry out one of the eatery’s authentic homemade dishes at any of its four locations from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Tuesday, and Mario’s will donate 15 percent of sales to Ronald McDonald House Charities of New Mexico. Throughout the holiday season, until December 31, Mario’s will also be selling RMHC-NM cause bracelets and collecting donations at the registers.

Mario’s Pizzeria & Restorante’s Albuquerque locations are at 2401 San Pedro NE, 5700 4th NW, 11500 Menaul NE and 7501 Paseo del Norte NE.

Academy gets new playground

Bernalillo Academy has been awarded an Imagination Playground in a Cart, an innovative playground equipment system, thanks to a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico. Bernalillo Academy and BCBSNM unveiled the playground to students during a recent event at the school.

Unstructured, childdirected play has proven to help kids develop physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually, yet today’s kids have less time and fewer See PITCHING >> 12

opportunities to play than any previous generation.

Imagination Playground in a Cart is an innovative design in play equipment that encourages creativity, communication and collaboration in play. With a collection of custom-designed, oversized blue foam parts, an Imagination playground provides a changing array of elements that allow children to turn their playground into a space constantly built and rebuilt using their imagination.

The staff and children of Bernalillo Academy are grateful to BCBSNM for the gift.

Bernalillo Academy is a SubAcute Residential Treatment Facility for children ages 4-18. Its mission is to empower children with autism and other developmental/intellectual disabilities and psychiatric disorders, and their families, by providing comprehensive, individualized treatment to help each child improve his or her quality of life.

Habitat charity gets $105K grant

Greater Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity is the recipient of a $105,000 neighborhood revitalization grant from Wells Fargo Housing Foundation. The check was presented last Saturday during a ceremony at the dedication of a new Habitat home in southwest Albuquerque, with the young homeowner and officials from Habitat and Wells Fargo in attendance.