10 who made a difference

For more than three decades, The New Mexican has been writing about people in Northern New Mexico who dedicate their time to volunteer service. The hundreds of people honored in this annual holiday series have given of themselves, quietly striving to make their communities better places to live.

The 10 Who Made a Difference honorees for 2017, selected from scores of nominees, also have made an impact, many of them aiding some of the region’s most vulnerable people.

Glenys Carl, featured in today’s edition, runs a nonprofit that provides free, in-home care to people in need.

Billie Russell, a Vietnam-era veteran, gathers fellow veterans for an informal support group. Addiction counselor Juan Valdez operates a “sober house,” and attorney Allegra Love provides free legal services to young immigrants.

Shel Neymark of Embudo was a driving force behind a community library, and Nancy Gehman is a fierce advocate for some of the area’s most traumatized foster children.

Mi’Jan Celie Tho-Biaz is teaching young people and others how to use the power of their own stories to bring about social change.

Other honorees include Marcos Zubia, chairman of the Esperanza Shelter board; Angelique Chavez, who organizes an annual prom for youth with disabilities; and retired teacher Wendy Hassemer of Medanales, who has taken to the stage in Española, celebrating the city through a community theater project.

We publish their stories in hopes of inspiring others to also give back to Northern New Mexico and those who call it home.