Community of Hope Tents to Rents fundraiser kicks off Aug. 14 online

Socially distanced graduation parades and livestreamed weddings are becoming normal, as humans find new ways to connect during COVID-19, and while we are unlikely to see many bake sales or car washes this summer, the fundraising committee of Mesilla Valley Community of Hope (MVCH) is working to shift its largest fundraising event of the season, Tents to Rents, entirely online.

At MVCH, many programs rely heavily on outside support to run smoothly. In the past, churches, schools, artists, politicians and many local individuals and businesses have joined together to raise funds for MVCH’s Camp Hope tent city to help residents who are struggling with homelessness to move into their own apartments.

The 2020 Tents to Rents fundraising campaign for Camp Hope will begin Friday, Aug. 14, and continue through Wednesday, Sept. 30. 

“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we want to be aware and take precautions for the vulnerable communities, but still engage those community leaders and individuals who look forward to participating in our campaign each year,” said MVCH Board Chair Carrie Hamblen, who also serves as the chair of the MVCH Fundraising and Development Committee.

Sierra Middle School Student Council raised $2,450 for the 2019 campaign, and residents of the Good Samaritan Society, a Las Cruces retirement village, raised $24,472 for Tents to Rents in 2019.

For 2020, things will look different. With Camp Hope closed to visitors, the pizza party which kicked off last year’s event – during which participants visited with camp residents and heard their stories – has been cancelled, as has the closing thank-you reception at Salud! de Mesilla. 

This year’s Tents to Rents participants will rely heavily on email, Facebook, Instagram and other social-media platforms to spread the stories of hope and humanity, and hopefully raise the funds to provide not only shelter, but some semblance of comfort as those suffering from homelessness work toward more permanent homes.

MVCH Executive Director Nicole Martinez came up with the idea for Tents to Rents in 2016. That year, with 10 participants and four sponsors, it raised more than $13,000. In 2017, fundraising reached more than $28,000. In 2018, more than $53,000 was raised. In 2019, 16 participants and 14 sponsors raised almost $52,000

To see the results of the 2019 Tents to Rents campaign, visit www.tentstorents.org.