Play Charity honored; animal shelter reports surge in intake as Main Street and chamber outline community events

The commission presented a community-service award to Play Charity, a volunteer-run children’s museum, recognizing the organization’s role in free programming, backpacks and community events. A Play Charity representative thanked the county and described the group as largely volunteer-run with four paid staff.

An animal-shelter representative reported a marked increase in animals taken in this year, stating, “Our total intake of animals this year is 1,832.” The speaker cited housing changes, owner relinquishment and limited spay/neuter capacity as drivers and said the shelter is pursuing grant funding and marketing to increase adoptions. The representative noted contractual obligations as the public pound under state law and the moral and financial strain of rising intake.

Rebecca Hughes of Main Street described downtown revitalization work tied to the New Mexico Main Street program and introduced new board members; she highlighted planting 150 pansies downtown and upcoming conferences. A chamber representative outlined the chamber’s 2026 calendar, including chamber chats, a cancer walk and the Gus Macker festival, and noted the chamber is still seeking an executive director.

The county encouraged public support for volunteer-driven groups and flagged community events, including a Martin Luther King Jr. celebration scheduled for Jan. 19 at the Special Event Center that will include lunch and speakers.