Community comes together to support family

RIO RANCHO — The Northern Meadows community came together at King Meadows Park for a trunk-or-treat community event Oct. 26 to help the Crespin family.

"These people don't know me, they don't know him [Crespin’s brother]. For them all to come together to do something like this for my little brother, it's fantastic," Louie Crespin said. "It means everything to me. It means that this community cares about people in the community. That's what it's all about."

Crespin's brother is a single father of two whose wife recently left him. A large amount of proceeds went to supporting Crespin's family during a their tough time.

Hundreds were in attendance, music was blasting, people were dancing, and a ton of kids got candy.

“I did not think it would turn out like this … there’s a lot of people!” Isaac Humphrey, aka DJ Hump, said. Humphrey also emceed the event. “It’s really awesome because you see so many people here, different styles of people here. They are all having a good time, there’s no fighting, no drama. That’s what I love.”

The fundraising event was co-sponsored by many, including House District 57 candidate Michelle Sandoval.

"Selina Wade and I have been working all summer long on the food trucks and on different events to rally the community. I think the turnout just shows that Rio Rancho, Northern Meadows, and this area alone are ready and excited to have this kind of safe space to bring their children," Sandoval said.

Wade organized the event and has organized food truck days for Northern Meadows and other community events.

"I have seen the same people who constantly come to each event, each and every food truck Friday, food truck Wednesday, they love to support each other and support small businesses. They know that most of the vendors are local to the community,” Sandoval said.

Some costumes spotted included Betelgeuse (pronounced Beetlejuice), Wednesday, a giant green alien, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, and Captain Hook.

"I am Captain Hook. Well, I got all of the kids: I got Peter Pan over there, Tinkerbell, and my wife is Wendy. It's great. It's really nice just to see all the people happy, and having a great time," Brian Rose said.

Besides dressing up as Captain Hook, Rose also participated in the car show and displayed his vintage blue Chevrolet truck.

At the end of the event, the Crespin family received $500.