Hello Everyone,
Well, it has certainly has been an incredible two weeks. The outpouring of love and support since Mario’s passing has been so fulfilling. Max, Melissa, Felice and I will always remember how many of you have touched our lives because of Mario’s death as well as his life! We are back to work, moving forward with our job of building homes. It’s a job we are committed to continuing. We want to continue to make an impact in this community through building quality homes with the commitment to energy efficient, solid, long lasting structures!
Many of you have said to us “If I can do anything for you let me know”. Well, I’m going to ask for something. The Las Cruces Sun News has just started their 2008 Reader’s Choice Balloting. “Who’s the Best?” in Las Cruces. One of the categories is Home Builder. Would you consider voting for Soledad Canyon Earth Builders? The entry forms are appearing in the Sun News each day. The deadline is Friday, December 19th. You must use the newspaper ballot. Limit one entry per person. I think it would be a very cool way to honor Mario and help us as we go into the future. There are many categories to vote for besides Homebuilder, however you only have to vote for the categories you are interest in. “Your Vote would be Appreciated!” As well, I would like to nominate Andele’s Restaurant for best Mexican Food and Best Green Enchilada, and for Best Breakfast: The Shed.
Several of Mario’s fellow Builder/Friends have set up the “Mario Bellestri Memorial Habitat for Humanity” Fund. I’m quoting from their letter– “An effort has been undertaken to honor the commitment, passion, leadership and service he has given to the homebuilding community and industry. Mario had committed himself in our community to help provide affordable housing opportunities to those who are in need. We are asking for your help in raising a significant amount of money to be presented to our local Habitat for Humanity, in Mario’s name, in early 2009. Please send your contributions, large or small, to the following address:” Mario Bellestri Habitat Fund c/o First National Bank Attn: Joe Bullock 1553 Avenida de Mesilla Las Cruces, NM 88005. I am so overwhelmed by this gesture. We built a Rammed Earth Habitat Home in, I believe 1997. We loved being able to do it and this is effort speaks to my heart as well as it would have for Mario.
One last note for this E-News. I’d like to tell you about a non-profit organization. We gave Mario’s body to the New Mexico Anatomical Gift of Body Program. Their mission is the advancement of medicine through the recovery and placement of non-transplantable donated human tissues. They were founded to further the cause of research and medical education in order to support the study of specific diseases, develop new surgical techniques, assist in the creation of progressive medical devices, assist with surgical training of physicians, and develop medical students skills in complicated anatomical studies. It is done at no cost to the donor or his/her family. Through this process I was treated with honesty, respect and dignity. If you are interested in further information let me know, I have their pamphlet. As well, I can tell you more about the program. Mario’s body was sent to the Mayo Clinic, his cremains will be returned to us in the near future. Max & I were proud to participate in this “Gift of Life” program.
For those of you who didn’t get a chance or didn’t know about the online Guest book in the Obituary section of the Las Cruces Sun News I invite you to contribute to it. It can be found at www.lcsun-news.com. Click on the obituary tab, then on Guest Book. We are going to print it out at the end of the month. The entries are so poignant and beautiful . I want to be able to read them for a long time to come.
Thank you for reading this long winded E-news, but I have so much I want people to know about……Please feel free to send this to others. Thanks to all of you who have sent cards, flowers, coats (83 coats!), donations to Mesilla Valley Hospice, and love. Max, Melissa, Felice and I are immensely grateful.
Pat