Some Holiday Events Around Alamogordo New Mexico Part I

December 16, 2015

Cancer Resource Center (CRC) of Alamogordo volunteers got together with family members at Pepper's Restaurant for dinner and games to celebrate the Christmas season. Sue Baker, the CRC chair, presented a Christmas trivia game which turned out to be difficult for many, but the younger set seemed to know most of the answers. It was a lot of fun anyway revealing some of the amazing answers to the questions.

After dining and conversation, Sue presented the results for this past year at the CRC and they were quite impressive. The primary purpose of the CRC is to provide solace and comfort to cancer patients and survivors as well as information. They provide (free of charge) bras, breast forms, hats, scarves, wigs, blankets, literature and one on one counseling with a volunteer who has had the same type of cancer.  They also provide the American Cancer Society's "Look Good, Feel Better" program given by licensed cosmetologists to patients who are undergoing Chemo treatments or have been because Chemo Therapy causes many changes to the skin.

One volunteer, in particular, Jerry Peschka, stood out as giving more hours this past year (299 to be exact) than any other volunteer. He can be found just about every week at the Chemo Infusion Center at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center Hospital (GCRMC) giving out free blankets and pillows to patients, as well as visiting with them to brighten their day. The GCRMC Hospital sponsors the CRC along with the American Cancer Society which makes it possible for all of the items to be given free of charge. We are also very grateful for the local sewing clubs and individuals who make and donate the pillow and blankets for us to give away.

After dinner everyone had a great time playing "Chinese Auction" with wrapped Christmas gifts provided by the volunteers and their families. You will see by the pictures that a grand time was had by all.

Lexi, a proud ROTC member at Alamogordo High School

Sue Baker, Fearless leader of the CRC

Delton and Sue Baker. Delton is also a volunteer at CRC

Lexi and Joseph make a cute couple

Volunteers Darnell and Becky enjoying the festivities

Volunteer Carla ready for fun

Sue explaining the game rules

Delton was first up choosing his Chinese Auction gift

Joy Kosinski, very happy with her gift

Volunteer Betty Hoppes trying to figure out what it is

Volunteer Jennifer Spencer with some bath products

Sue unwrapped a lovely little fountain in the Southwest motiff

Looks like Daniel got some lovely Christmas kitchen items

Lexi with some neat Tabasco tea towels and red gloves

Carla chose for hubby, Doug, and got a talking parrot

Jerry with his choice. What was in that box, Jerry?

Joseph unwrapped a new picture frame

Danell also got a picture frame

Not sure what Larry got, but it looks technical. Larry is a tireless volunteer especially for our annual garage sale

Carla got a lovely pendant necklace which she got to keep

I was so busy watching this little critter dance around that I forgot to note who won it

Becky is stealing Betty's gift

Betty got to choose another gift but not sure what it is

Volunteer, Terrie Sena with her gift

Lexi received the "booby prize" and seems quite happy with it

Joy makes a presentation to Sue and Delton. This was donated to by all the volunteers.

A close up of Doug's parrot. It sings, talks, mimics voices and dances

It was such a fun party and Sue really worked hard on it as she always does on everything she attempts to do. There was also a short word game led by Joy Kosinski and Doug won the prize which was an adorable stuffed Christmas fairy. Can't wait to see everyone again at the next party. Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photographer for all the great pictures.

This is all I have to say for now.

Cancer Resource Center Alamogordo, New Mexico, Volunteers' Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Sue Baker, Chair of the Cancer Resource Center (CRC), hosted a Christmas Party for all the volunteers at Peppers Grill at 3200 N. White Sands Boulevard in Alamogordo . The CRC is totally staffed by volunteers and they do a wonderful job of relating to cancer survivors and their needs. The CRC has a library room and provides literature on just about every form of cancer or know where the person can get it, if not. They also provide breast forms and bras; hats, scarves, wigs, pillows and blankets for those going through chemotherapy, and mentoring for those who request it. Also provided is "Look Good Feel Better" whereby a cosmetologist gives the survivor a make-over including a complete make-up set. This is all done free of charge through the sponsorship of Gerald Champion Regional  Medical Center and the American Cancer Society.

Not everyone who volunteers has had cancer, but they feel called to help. If you are reading this and are looking for a place to give back or pay it forward, you can help them out by volunteering as little as three hours a week of your time at the Center located at 1212 E. 9th Street, Suite E, Alamogordo, New Mexico, 575-443-7485. They are open various mornings and afternoons so leave a message if you don't get a live person.

The Christmas party was a huge success and, as you will see by the pictures, lots of fun.

L to R: Carla conversing with Carmen and Berene

Carmen and Berene with Mike and Kathleen in background

A shot of a portion of the crowd

A shot of the other side of the room with Carmen, Berene and Judy in the foreground

After we finished dining, Sue passed out a game which listed  20 multiple-choice questions about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Carla and Berene tied with 15 correct and each received a hot mitt containing a package of sugar cookie ingredients. Sue then had each person pull a number from a basket and we played Chinese Auction. Those that wished to participate were asked to bring a wrapped or bagged White Elephant Gift. Once a gift is chosen, it can be stolen twice and then belongs to that third person.

Carla pulled number one and unwrapped a box of snack goodies

The bag also contained this hanging monkey and some yellow rubber duckies

Next up was Alexi who unwrapped a food chopper which was stolen by Judy

Berene unwrapped a three tier bowl set

Doug unwrapped a lovely tea pot--he is behind the camera

Teri got Starbucks Coffee and mugs

Jean is being very sneaky unwrapping her choice

Jean did well getting a cheeseball bowl and knife

Ruth really hit the jackpot with a filled candy jar sporting a Santa lid

Betty said, "I know this candle cost more than 10 bucks!" To which, someone else replied, "Not if it was a gift to begin with."

Kathleen stole the candle from Betty and Betty got a bottle of New Mexico's finest wine which was then stolen by Michael

Jerry lucked in and got a whole yard of chocolate

Eloise is nervous about opening the box as she shows it to Sue, but it turns out to be a traveling hair set

Jennifer peeks in the bag while Sue watches. It turns out to contain a mug and a santa

Joy slowly unwraps a lovely fountain, but she didn't keep it long as it was stolen by Larry. Joy wound up with a beautiful jigsaw puzzle picture in a frame.

Betty finally winds up with a "Body Warmer"

Aubrey's little son, Lucas, holds up a Christmas Caroling Set

Delman got a book "1000 Places to See Before You Die"

Our Fearless Leader Sue got a Wallet Ninja

Alexi wound up with an animated chicken that plays music and does the "Chicken Dance"

Everyone had a great time visiting and the food was delicious. Thanks to Sue for all her efforts in making this come together. Volunteers all work different hours so it's difficult to get to know everyone and this was a perfect way to become better acquainted.

Thanks to Douglas A. Kerr, Photography for taking all the pictures. We lost track of the stealing that was going on so some were not photographed and we do apologize. Betty, you can not complain! lol

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This is all I have to say for now.