Community of Hope nears Tents to Rents fundraising goal

Mesilla Valley Community of Hope’s (MVCH) 2023 Tents to Rents fundraising campaign to move people from Camp Hope Tent City into their own apartments began Aug. 14 and officially ends in late September.

“There is still time to donate,” said MVCH Executive Director Nicole Martinez.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $125,000.

“This year’s Tents to Rents campaign included new partners such as the Office of Experiential Learning at NMSU who hosted a 5k Color Fun Run, and Hops for Hope which included local breweries/restaurants who donated a portion of the proceeds to the campaign,” Martinez said. “We are grateful to all the participants, sponsors and donors who are helping us keep Camp Hope in operation and continue moving people from tents into their own apartments. As always, we are especially grateful to the residents of Good Samaritan who continue to support the amazing work at Community of Hope to help our unhoused population.”

As of Sept. 19, 2023, Tents to Rents had raised more than $81,500.

This year’s top fundraisers include Good Sam’s Housing Helpers (almost $21,000 on Sept. 19), Mesilla Valley Community of Hope (more than $22,000), Unitarian Universalist Church (more than $4,600), Office of Experiential Learning (almost $4,500), Of the Same Ilk ($2,455), St. Andrews Episcopal Church ($2,000), Temple Beth El ($1,650), Doña Ana Community College President Monica Torres ($1,150) and Nigel Holman (more than $1,000).

Tents to Rents began in 2016, raising $13,000 that year. It raised almost $80,000 in 2021 and more than $100,000 in 2022, bringing its seven-year fundraising total to almost $300,000.

To donate to this year’s Tents to Rents, visit https://tentstorents.org/. Scroll down and double click on a partner’s name to donate to that organization or individual. Or, click on MVCH above the partners’ names to donate without selecting a sponsor.