Grief center hosts Valentine’s fundraiser for charity

Desert Blooms Grief Center hosted its Valentine’s Mix ‘n’ Mingle fundraiser Feb. 12 at The Game restaurant patio in Las Cruces.    

The two-hour event featured food, music, drinks, and a silent auction with proceeds supporting the organization’s mission of providing free grief support to the children and teens in the city of Las Cruces.  

Vicki Lucero, vice president of Desert Blooms Grief Center, stated that the organization relies completely on community support.  

“We’re completely funded by donations, volunteers, and sponsors,” Lucero said. “This is one of our first fundraisers, and we hope to have many more.”  

Melissa Murphy, founder and executive director of Desert Blooms Grief Center, said the fundraiser marked a huge step ahead of the center. 

“We’ve just been completely in awe of the generous support that we’ve received from all of our donors and sponsors,” Murphy said. “It is not only our first major fundraiser of the year, but the first major fundraiser prior to our launch in April and officially providing those services to the children and teens in the community.”  

Murphy said the funds raised will primarily go towards purchasing program supplies for grief support groups.  

“Each group is arranged by age and led in a topic of conversation and activity that encourages discussion and expression,” Murphy said. “There will be anything from books to arts and crafts, and setting up the space to make it comfortable, inviting, and safe.”  

Desert Blooms will provide structured grief support services that are designed to help children and teens process a loss in a supportive and safe environment.