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When it comes to seniors living the good life … sometimes it takes a village. Or at least a painted village.
Buena Vida Adult Day Centers in El Paso rely on their annual fundraiser “Celebre La Buena Vida,” beautiful painted houses by El Paso’s artists, and the support of the community to help meet the needs of El Paso’s seniors and disabled adults. “Celebre La Buena Vida” 2010 will be held at the Camino Real Hotel, and will include food and fun, plus music provided by the El Paso Youth Symphony.
The Buena Vida Centers were the first adult day centers in Texas and among the first in the country. The two centers - in the Lower Valley at 300 Riverside and in East El Paso at 9640 Montwood Dr. - are an affiliated ministry of Lutheran Social Services that began operation in 1975, and now serves about 225 elderly and disabled each year. The centers’ participants gather for social activities, exercise, crafts, music and warm meals. Those who are able participate in various day trips and activities. Students and interns from the University of El Paso and El Paso Community College Schools of Nursing assist at the centers, giving the students opportunities to interact with the geriatric community and gain exposure to senior services. The centers are nonprofit and faith-based but open to all seniors and disabled adults in the community.
“Medicaid reimbursements do not fully cover all our costs at Buena Vida, so donations from community members play a vital role in keeping our programs running,” said Steven Lujan, director of Buena Vida. “This annual event allows us to showcase the work of local artists, all coming together in support of what we do at Buena Vida.”
Artists’ auction
The auction of wooden houses painted by El Paso’s artists has become a proud Buena Vida tradition – the brainchild of the fundraising committee six years ago. Well-known artists from the El Paso area paint and decorate dozens of wooden houses for the silent auction. This year it is anticipated that there will be 80 to 100 houses available for bidding.
Among the artists contributing are Candy Mayer, Charlie Mayer, Bob Adams, Alberto Escamilla, Krystyna Robbins and many others. Ellie Fenton of El Paso Inc. will select the top three houses for the live auction at the March 25 event. Gary Warner, former KVIA news anchor, will serve as auctioneer. The winning artist of the “Home Sweet El Paso Award” competition will receive a $200 prize.
Many of the houses will be on display at the following El Paso businesses: Sunland Park Art Gallery, Ruli’s International Kitchen, 318 N. Mesa; Stewart Title, 415 N. Mesa; The Framing Concept & Gallery, 4717 Hondo Pass and at Buena Vida, 9640 Montwood.
The UTEP connection
In support of the vital assistance provided to Buena Vida by the UTEP School of Nursing and the attention UTEP’s Border Institute for Excellence in Gerontologic Care brings to the needs of El Paso’s elderly, this year a percentage of the money raised at the event will go toward three scholarships for the UTEP School of Nursing, another Buena Vida “first.” The partnership is mutually beneficial, as nurses experienced in senior care are in high demand, and UTEP nursing students can become familiar with geriatric care by helping at Buena Vida.
To view the wooden house art and learn more about Buena Vida Adult Day Centers and “Celebre La Buena Vida,” visit www.lsss.org and click on events. Director Steven Lujan can be reached at 598-5403, or e-mail steven.lujan@lsss.org.
ˇCelebre La Buena Vida!
March 25, 2010
Camino Real Hotel
101 South El Paso Street
El Paso, Texas 79901
Cocktails & light buffet 5:30 p.m.
Auction 6:30 p.m.
Individual reservation: $30
Comments or questions about this story? E-mail swsenior@elpasoinc.com
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