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Abrazo Homes and El Ranchito de los Niños break ground for new raffle house on National Siblings Day

Posted on April 9, 2018

This November, one lucky person will trade a $75 raffle ticket for a new $270,000 home in Rio Rancho. The home is being built by Abrazo homes and multiple contractors to benefit El Ranchito de los Niños, a non-profit children’s home dedicated to keeping brothers and sisters together that might otherwise be separated in traditional foster care. So, it’s fitting that the fundraiser home’s groundbreaking takes place on National Siblings Day, April 10.
“What better way to celebrate the mission of El Ranchito de los Ninos than to break ground on National Siblings Day?” says Mackenzie Bishop, owner and co-founder of Abrazo Homes. “Since 2000, Mike and Kathy Mechenbier have opened their hearts to children at a very difficult time in their young lives, giving them a loving home that doesn’t break up their families any further. We’re proud to be part of the group supporting this mission.”
After learning that many siblings in state custody are placed in separate foster homes due to limited space, the Mechenbiers founded El Ranchito de los Niños. They built a 7,200 square-foot ranch home in Los Lunas, New Mexico, with the capacity to raise up to 16 children, from infancy to the age of 18. The home provides a long term—and sometimes permanent—stable, loving home where sibling groups are raised as a family and provided an education as a means of breaking the cycle. Long-term, El Ranchito de los Niños helps to transition its young people as they prepare for college, job training or other career paths. The home has an on-site apartment where former residents can stay during sibling visits and short-term stays, such as college breaks. El Ranchito does not receive state or federal funding and relies 100% on private donations, grants and fundraisers, such as the house raffle.
“We’re excited to partner with Abrazo Homes again. Last year’s raffle was so successful that we sold out of tickets a week before the drawing. To build on that excitement, we’ve added 500 more tickets and increased the cash prize – so the grand prize winner has the option of taking the new house or $125,000 cash,” said Abby Eden, Special Events Coordinator, El Ranchito de los Niños.

The 1,750 square-foot home in Abrazo’s desirable Mariposa community in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, will include three bedrooms and two baths. The kitchen will feature granite countertops, maple cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Abrazo Homes is adding a three-car garage with a workshop area, and a complete home automation, networking, and wiring package. Mariposa’s community amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a 4-acre park, and walking and biking trails.

The new home is valued at $270,000. The winner will have the option of choosing $125,000 in cash, instead of the grand prize home. Tickets are being sold for $75 each, with a limit of 4,500 tickets available. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to El Ranchito de los Niños.

The building lot was donated by 4 Sisters, LLC. The construction materials and labor is being donated by Abrazo Homes and multiple Albuquerque contractors. Cliffdweller Digital, Su Casa Magazine, and KRST radio are providing marketing and advertising assistance for the raffle.

The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Tuesday, April 10, at 1:00 p.m. at the new home’s site: 2604 La Luz Circle, Rio Rancho, in the Mariposa community.

The prizewinner will be drawn at the Mariposa home on Saturday, November 17, at 10:00 a.m. Tickets can be purchased directly from El Ranchito de los Niños by calling +1 (505) 889-6040 or visiting the website.
For more information about El Ranchito de los Niños contact Laura Harris at +1(505)-321-7063 and or for more about Abrazo Homes, contact Renee Garcia at +1 (505) 796-6119 or visit www.abrazohomes.com.