2025 Volunteer of the Month Winners
Meet our 2025 Volunteers of the Month, each recognized with a $1,000 gift to support the charity closest to their heart.
Vickie Apodaca
Vickie Apodaca launched Techqueria New Mexico with a deep passion for expanding tech access, quickly growing the chapter to more than 200 members and hosting a 250‑person conference in its first year. Her grassroots outreach brought many community members into the local tech space for the first time, and she raised more funds than any chapter nationwide. Vickie’s heart, hustle, and unwavering commitment to digital equity make her a truly special and deserving honoree.
Organization Supported: Albuquerque Community Foundation
Ashlee Wright
Ashlee Wright pours her heart into serving as Community Vice President, leading the Junior League of Albuquerque’s Diaper Bank, and helping distribute more than 100,000 diapers through deep partnerships with local organizations. Her leadership inspires members across the League, from coordinating monthly volunteer events to driving impactful fundraising efforts that have kept the organization thriving—even through challenging times. Ashlee’s dedication, compassion, and commitment to building a sustainable Diaper Bank make her an invaluable force for families across Albuquerque.
Organization Supported: Junior League of Albuquerque
Marie Morra
Marie Morra has dedicated 21 years to the City of Albuquerque’s RSVP program, where she leads with kindness, creativity, and unwavering commitment to seniors. In addition to chairing key committees and recruiting new members, she created a nationally recognized monthly excursion that provides seniors free transportation to the National Cemetery in Santa Fe—an invaluable service for those who would otherwise be unable to visit loved ones. Despite her full‑time role as Marketing Director for the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, Marie continually finds ways to uplift her community, making her a deeply deserving honoree.
Organization Supported: The Daughters of Charity of Canossa
Bernadine Tyler-Wilson
Bernadine Tyler‑Wilson devotes herself to serving veterans of the Navajo Nation, meeting them where they are with compassion, advocacy, and a deep understanding born from her own military service. She tirelessly collaborates with community partners, interprets for elders, and helps veterans access critical resources—earning national recognition in outlets like USA Today and the Today Show, even though she never seeks the spotlight. Bernadine’s empathy, resilience, and unwavering commitment make her a powerful force for her community and a profoundly deserving honoree.
Organization Supported: 4 corners Native American Ministry of the United Methodist
Erika Hardy
Erika Hardy pours extraordinary passion into empowering marginalized women around the world, using creative outreach and storytelling to raise awareness for programs that support women in conflict zones. She continually introduces innovative strategies that expand engagement, deepen community understanding, and bring meaningful support to women rebuilding their lives through education, job training, and emotional healing. Erika’s empathy, creativity, and unwavering dedication make her an inspiring advocate whose impact reaches far beyond borders.
Organization Supported: Meals on Wheels
Brad Wood
Brad Wood leads Rebuilding with extraordinary dedication, serving as its unpaid president while personally collecting donations, organizing projects, and helping low‑income residents in Sandoval County with essential home repairs. From building accessibility ramps to coordinating heating, plumbing, electrical, and roofing assistance, he brings hope to neighbors who often have nowhere else to turn. Brad’s tireless hands‑on service, fundraising efforts, and unwavering compassion make him a true force for good in his community.
Organization Supported: Rebuilding Together Sandoval County
Otilla “Tillie” Lopez
Otilla “Tillie” Lopez brings extraordinary warmth and compassion to her volunteer work, cuddling newborns in the NICU and supporting families and staff at two Presbyterian Hospital gift shops. At 87, she continues to give her time, kindness, and attentive presence—offering comfort to infants, encouragement to parents, and a bright moment in the day of anyone she meets. Tillie’s gentle spirit, dependability, and unwavering desire to help make her a quiet hero whose impact is felt far beyond the walls of the hospital.
Organization Supported: Villa Therese Catholic Clinic
Tyler Begay
Tyler Begay is a young leader on the Navajo Nation who inspires his peers through his dedication to academics, athletics, and community service. While maintaining Dean’s List grades, he spends his summers umpiring baseball games, refereeing basketball tournaments, and coaching younger athletes—showing confidence, integrity, and a commitment far beyond his years. Tyler’s consistency, courage, and drive to lift others make him a powerful example of how youth can strengthen their communities.
Organization Supported: Navajo Preparatory School
Ricardo Jimenez
Ricardo is a Marine veteran and administrator of Team Bravo, a nonprofit that supports veterans and their families through activities like hiking, yoga, and community service. He leads by example, promoting wellness and giving back through hands-on projects and volunteer coordination. From helping elderly veterans with home repairs to bringing in volunteers from law enforcement and local gyms, Ricardo’s efforts have made a lasting impact. His dedication to service and community continues to inspire those around him.
Organization Supported: Team Bravo
Jerome Macdonald
Jerome Macdonald has become a trusted guide for East Mountain residents, using his deep expertise in forest management to help homeowners understand wildfire risk and the many practical steps they can take to protect their properties. Through his unwavering work with EMWPA, he has empowered the community with clear guidance, vital resources, and educational programs that have dramatically increased local preparedness. Jerome’s dedication, knowledge, and commitment to helping residents feel capable—not powerless—make him an invaluable asset to the East Mountains.
Organization Supported: East Mountain Interagency Fire Protection Association
Peggy McCracken
Peggy McCracken has spent more than a decade leading the monthly Roadrunner Food Pantry in rural Sandoval County, coordinating food distribution for roughly 250 families across Cuba and nearby Navajo Nation communities. Her kindness, resilience, and ability to adapt—whether re‑engineering the pantry into a safe drive‑through during COVID or rallying volunteers through every challenge—have made the pantry a lifeline in an area with limited access to nutritious food. Peggy’s humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to ensuring her neighbors are fed make her an extraordinary and deeply deserving community servant.
Organization Supported: Naciemiento Medical Foundation
Brooklynn Trimble
Brooklynn Trimble is a dedicated volunteer with Global Give a Book, where she helps expand children’s access to reading by organizing donated books, supporting literacy events, and ensuring materials reach the kids who need them most. She brings compassion, reliability, and a strong sense of purpose to every task—from behind‑the‑scenes inventory work to encouraging young readers at community pop‑ups. Brooklynn’s commitment to literacy equity and her belief in the power of books to build confidence and opportunity make her an inspiring young leader.
Organization Supported: Global Give a Book
Mary Bretting-Miller
Mary Bretting‑Miller brings extraordinary dedication to supporting unsheltered APS students and their families, volunteering tirelessly in the district warehouse to organize clothing, school supplies, food, and holiday gifts. A retired APS educator honored with a book van in recognition of her work in summer reading programs, she continues to elevate everyone around her with her energy, creativity, and exceptional organizational skills. Mary’s compassion, grit, and unwavering commitment make her a driving force behind a program that has become essential to countless children’s success and well‑being.
Organization Supported: Albuquerque Schools Foundation
