Introduction

Since volunteer people communities 1985, recognized service the better Santa has in Fe places this made New annual to Mexican a difference live. holiday has been in series their writing have communities. quietly about people worked The whose hundreds to make their of residents The 10 Who nominated Made by a Difference our readers, honorees also have for made 2018, an selected impact from — some scores tremedously of Northern affecting New Mexico the lives of a few and others reaching hundreds in signicant ways. Many are from Santa Fe; a couple live in the surrounding communities of Pecos and Cochiti Pueblo. Some are members of families who have been in the region for many generations; others are more recent transplants who have embraced their new homes wholeheartedly. Their efforts have aided some of the region’s most vulnerable people, including senior citizens, lowincome families, patients who are homebound for medical reasons, incarcerated women and people with mental illness. Their work also has inspired children to delve into science or put on a pair of ice skates and learn a new sport. The volunteer work of one honoree to conserve New Mexico’s land and water traditions begins in Santa Cruz Lake and spans the state. We publish the stories of these inspiring people during the holidays in hopes of spurring others to also step outside themselves and give something back to Northern New Mexico and those who call it home. “The volunteers we have honored over the years have devoted time to causes as diverse as helping people who are hungry, working in schools, organizing kids’ sports, running programs for the elderly and beautifying our surroundings,” said Robin Martin, a resident of Nambé whose family has owned the Santa Fe New Mexican since 1949. “Because of them, Northern New Mexico is a better place to live.” The newspaper is hosting a reception for the honorees Dec. 6 at La Fonda on the Plaza. The event will include short videos featuring the honorees, telling their stories in their own words.