Las Cruces to End the Year With Fiesta de Navidad Celebration

The Las Cruces AARP Chapter will be wrapping up the year with a little holiday fun -- holding its annual Fiesta de Navidad on Wednesday, Dec. 21.

“We want to give our attendees a little snippet of where we are headed in 2023 and show people who might be new or interested in joining the chapter some of the work we do in the community but mostly we want to thank people for their participation and support during the past year,” said Dave Lynch, AARP New Mexico State President and Chapter President.

“Sometimes you are so busy setting up events and getting information out to people you forget to reflect on what you have accomplished and how you got from there to here,” Lynch said.

Board member Judy Cota said the theme for the coming year is "Year of the Volunteer," and will begin in January with a panel of five leaders of local non-profit organizations to discuss the importance of volunteering.

"The programming is based on input from our membership. The Chapter will also share the various events we are planning in 2023 outside of our General Meetings,” Cota said.

The chapter provides a variety of programs at its general meetings during the year, including shredding events, Movies for Grownups, and veterans' events.  The chapter also hosts an information table on the first Saturday of the month at the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market and is currently working with the city of Las Cruces on implementing Livable Communities, an AARP program that allows people to age in place.

But the main focus of the afternoon will be fun and celebration. Adding to the meeting content, games, live Christmas music, and refreshments will be available.  The public is invited, and there is no cost.  The chapter requests participants bring a non-perishable food item, which will be delivered to a local charity.

The fiesta begins at 2 p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, located at Missouri and Locust Avenues in Las Cruces.