One of Santa Fe's more high-profile fundraisers kicked off Thursday, as a press conference at Vanessie of Santa Fe heralded the start of the fifth annual Health and Human Services Week.
The "week" technically runs from April 20-26, but events began Thursday and continue through May. They include five free health fairs, educational programs and a fashion show luncheon on April 25.
"We are at a very exciting moment in the evolution of this event," said organizer Fran Mullin, owner of Vanessie.
Health and Human Services Week, designed to raise both money and awareness of local nonprofits and the needs they fill, has grown steadily over the years. In 2004, its first year, the event raised $82,486 for eight nonprofits, while last year it was $221,000 for 18 groups.
Every penny of funds raised during the event goes straight to the participating nonprofits, Mullin noted.
"All the money raised, not one penny goes to offset any costs. It all goes to the nonprofits," he said.
Most of the money raised during the week is from cash donations from the event's "supporting organizations," which include businesses and individuals, Mullin said. More than 80 such groups are participating this year.
But Mullin noted during Thursday's press conference that Health and Human Services Week has felt the effects of the current "jittery" economy.
"There's been greater fallout in terms of the amount of commitment being made (by supporting organizations)," he said.
Mullin said he expected about 6,000 individuals to participate in Health and Human Services Week one way or another this year.
"This is an amazing fundraiser. It really is," said Sherry Taylor, executive director of Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families.
While Esperanza has participated in Health and Human Services Week since its inception— the organization received a $13,000 check last year— this is Taylor's first experience with the event.
"I'm new to the community, to Santa Fe, to New Mexico, all of it. I've worked in a lot with domestic violence programs across the U.S., and I've never seen any kind of event like this," she said.
