R4 Creating breaks Montezuma Ball’s fundraising record

ALBUQUERQUE — R4Creating, a Rio Rancho-based youth robotics and STEM education center, was recently the guest of honor at the 2024 Montezuma Ball fundraiser at Hotel Albuquerque Nov. 23, and in classic R4 fashion, they knocked it out of the park.

R4Creating was the primary beneficiary of the Montezuma Ball this year and helped raise more than $1 million, the first time the event has raised seven figures.

According to a news release, the funds will be used to bring STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education to thousands of New Mexico K-12 students.

“We are inspired by the generosity of everyone who attended the gala,” said Dr. Shelly Gruenig, R4Creating founding executive director in the news release. “Breaking the fundraising record means we are now able to work with even more young people and are well on our way to developing our permanent campus.”

The Montezuma Ball was a longtime event in Albuquerque, running from 1902-68 at the historic Alvarado Hotel. The event ended when the hotel was demolished by the railroad in 1970.

The hotel’s destruction sparked calls for stronger laws to help preserve New Mexico’s historic sites.

In 2000, Heritage Hotels & Resorts resurrected the fundraiser as part of the grand opening for the Alvarado Ballroom at Hotel Albuquerque.

“We couldn’t have achieved this record without the amazing support of Jim and Rebecca Long, Heritage Hotels & Resorts, all of our donors and the volunteers,” said Gruenig.

According to the release, “The Montezuma Ball has raised millions of dollars for various nonprofit organizations including DreamSpring, WESST, Animal Humane of New Mexico, United Way of North Central New Mexico, Explora and countless others.”

Mandy’s Farm, a nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is the primary beneficiary for 2025.

“The challenge has been set, and we are up for it,” said Melissa McCue, Mandy’s Farm executive director. “We hope to break R4Creating’s record next year, which also happens to be our 25th anniversary. This opportunity will allow us to expand our affordable and accessible housing options for people with intellectual disabilities in our community.”

Gruenig says she is just fine with the record getting broken by Mandy’s Farm.

“My hope is that the record is broken every year,” she said.

For more information about R4Creating, visit r4creating.org.

For information on the 2025 Montezuma Ball, which takes place Nov. 22, 2025, at Hotel Albuquerque, visit mandysfarm.networkforgood.com.