Editor,
Best Buddies wishes to thank the members of all the Greek organizations at the University of New Mexico for their commitment to the community. Each year, through their Greek Week activities, they raise funds for specific charities. This year, Best Buddies New Mexico was the fortunate recipient of their funds.
The University of New Mexico’s Greek community has been actively involved in the Albuquerque community for many years through Greek Week. Greek Week gives all the Greek chapters an opportunity to donate their time and money to worthy community causes. This year, more than 300 Greek members raised $10,300 for Best Buddies, spent countless hours volunteering their time at the Rio Grande Zoo and prepared care baskets for the Watermelon Ranch — all very worthy causes. While balancing their studies and activities, they give from a heart of compassion and generosity. I truly hope they keep their sense of idealism well into their careers.
As a result of their efforts, they became much more aware of the needs and challenges faced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). IDD affects 4 percent of the population. Most people will go through their entire lives sitting alone in the cafeteria, never receiving a phone call from a friend and not being recognized except by caregivers. Nearly 90 percent of these people will never have a job, and many will fall victim of abuse or neglect at some point in their lives. Best Buddies pairs these individuals with peers who do not have disabilities to break the social isolation that too often surrounds disabilities such as Down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury and many others. Today we have 320 participants in our local high schools and universities.
Thanks to the great work by UNM students, we are breaking the cycle of isolation. Individuals are being seen for their abilities, instead of their disabilities. Each life touched is changed forever. Like the proverbial stone tossed in a pond, the ripples are changing our attitudes. One buddy, a high school sophomore, called our offices recently so excited because he was invited over to another student’s home. This had never happened to him before. A parent called excited because she was shopping for a prom dress, an opportunity she never dreamed she would have with her daughter. These opportunities are created through the generosity of the Greek members and all our donors.
“Thank you” just does not do justice. In a world where too often the negative gets more reported than the positive, I wanted to make sure that the great work of these students is recognized. From now on, when we hear the term “fraternity” or “sorority,” we should associate “philanthropist,” “teacher” and “leader” to them, for that is what they truly are.
Kevin Cronk
State Director
Best Buddies New Mexico
