Albuquerque, NM & El Paso, TX — December 2025
When children arrive at UNM Children's Hospital or El Paso Children's Hospital, many are facing not just medical challenges but life-altering transitions—including entrance into the foster care system. For these children, a small gift can provide a moment of normalcy in circumstances that feel anything but normal.
That's the mission behind Year of Cheer, a District 5520 initiative led by the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte in partnership with UNM Children's Hospital and El Paso Children's Hospital, both members of the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.
Record-Breaking Impact
Thanks to clubs across District 5520, more than 1,100 toys and gifts have already made their way to UNM Children's Hospital and El Paso Children's Hospital in November, along with an additional 1,029 cartons of Play-Doh in response to a specific hospital request.
That's 2,129 moments of courage boosted, fears eased, and smiles sparked because Rotarians showed up with generosity and heart.
District Governor Tom Simon has championed Year of Cheer throughout his term, keeping the initiative visible across the district and encouraging clubs of all sizes to participate.
Why This Matters
Barbara Temer, UNM Hospital's Volunteer Coordinator, described the profound impact: "These gifts put smiles on children's faces who have had no reason to smile and in many cases are on their way to an unknown and scary future in foster care."
Children in hospitals are already experiencing trauma—illness, injury, medical procedures, separation from normal life. When that's compounded by family crisis, abuse, neglect, or the foster care system, a child's world can feel utterly uncertain.
A gift doesn't solve those challenges. But it does something important: it says "you matter" to a child who may be questioning that exact thing.
A District-Wide Effort
Year of Cheer demonstrates what's possible when clubs across a geographic region collaborate around shared purpose. Rather than each club running separate toy drives, District 5520 created infrastructure that:
- Centralizes collection and distribution
- Partners with hospitals that serve the entire region
- Creates efficiency through coordination
- Allows smaller clubs to participate meaningfully
- Ensures gifts reach children with the most acute need
- Responds to specific hospital requests (like the Play-Doh cartons)
The initiative serves two Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: UNM Children's Hospital in Albuquerque and El Paso Children's Hospital in El Paso, providing critical care to children across New Mexico and West Texas.
Thoughtful Coordination
As December begins, the Year of Cheer team is pausing active collecting so clubs can fully engage with other holiday causes—particularly Toys for Tots efforts happening throughout the region. This coordination prevents competing asks and ensures maximum community support for all children's programs.
But the Cheer Teams continue working behind the scenes, and both hospitals continue distributing gifts to children all month long.
Leadership Team
Year of Cheer is coordinated by:
- Alice Mehlberg & Berdel Boulanger, Rotary District Co-Chairs
- Geneva Van Matre, El Paso Coordinator
- Rachelle Ford, Social Media
- Evelyn Bryant, Logistics and Record Keeper
- Fred Bryant, "Still doing exactly what he's told (with enthusiasm!)"
Their work with hospital volunteer coordinators Barbara Temer (UNM) and her counterpart at El Paso Children's Hospital ensures gifts match the needs and ages of children currently receiving care.
Partnership with Children's Miracle Network
Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is a nonprofit that raises funds and awareness for 170 member hospitals across North America. These hospitals provide critical, often life-saving care to children regardless of families' ability to pay.
By partnering with Children's Miracle Network hospitals, Year of Cheer ensures contributions reach children facing the most significant medical and social challenges—the ones who might otherwise be overlooked during holiday giving.
Looking Ahead: ZEBRA Year 2026
The team is already preparing for another "bold, bright ZEBRA Year" beginning in January 2026, building on the momentum and lessons learned from this year's record-breaking participation.
To our partners at UNM Children's Hospital and El Paso Children's Hospital: thank you for helping this "dazzle of zebras" reach the kids who need cheer the most.
To support Year of Cheer or get your club involved, visit rotarydelnorte.org/page/yoc or contact the Rotary Club of Albuquerque Del Norte.