Here at the LOR Foundation, we’re privileged to see the generosity and dedication of Questeños nearly every day in our work: Locals donate their time and energy to lead community projects that make life better for everyone. But the ongoing renovation of of Questa’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9516 is something else entirely.
Questa’s work to bring the building back to life—including the roughly $25,000 locals donated—is inspiring. We are thrilled to support the restoration efforts and look forward to the day weddings, graduations, and baby showers return.
“It’s extraordinary for the VFW to be on the cusp of being fully accessible and available,” says Questa community officer Maria Gonzalez. “The absence of the VFW building has been hard for everyone, but the community support has been amazing and made this possible.”
Gonzalez has seen other recent community solutions come from locals who are thinking creatively, too. In northern New Mexico and the rural southwest more broadly, water is always an issue. Yet, projects that tackle clean drinking water and water supplies can often feel out of reach. Connecting homes to village water can cost thousands of dollars, as can irrigation improvement projects.
Not all solutions have to be massive or expensive, though. Staff with the Village of Questa had a simple but crucial idea for shoring up local water supplies: new tools. Questa’s Utility Department has lacked some of the tools needed to replace and repair water lines. Without that equipment, leaks have taken longer to fix, affecting Questa’s municipal water system. With funding from LOR, the department is purchasing tools such as underground pipe locators, portable generators, and a leak detector. Staff will be able to find leaks more quickly and repair them faster, strengthening Questa’s water system.
“It’s often the smallest ideas that have the biggest impact,” Gonzalez says. As spring nears and with it, irrigation and planting, Gonzalez is hoping to hear more project ideas that reimagine water in Questa.
Community cleanup days are also around the corner, so if you have any ideas to help make Questa shine, learn more about how LOR can support your project by contacting Gonzalez at maria@lorfoundation.org or (575) 665-2001.
