The Monte Vista Holiday Festival was a great success in 2017 and gave back to the community in more ways than one. Holiday Festival Committee members donated several pounds of food to the Monte Vista Food Bank last Tuesday, collected from the Ugly Sweater Dodgeball Tournament sponsored by the City of Monte Vista Recreation Department, the Vali Theater, the Monte Vista Kids Connection, and the donation Christmas tree at City Hall. Pictured are Monte Vista Food Bank staff Nadine Dieckman and Lyle Dye with holiday festival committee members Kids Connection Director Anika Velasquez, MV recreation staff member Antonio Martinez, Mayor Debbie Garcia, Councilwoman Carol Shroeder, Best and Brightest Intern Azarel Madrigal and MVPD Chief John Rosecrans. 

The Holiday Festival committee also donated $372 to Chief Rosecrans and the Monte Vista Police Department's "Christmas with a Cop" program, which partnered with the Feed Store Church this year to sponsor families in need in the Monte Vista area, providing gifts to ensure their children have a great Christmas. Pictured from left are Holiday Festival committee members Antonio Martinez, Anika Velasquez, Carol Shroeder, Debbie Garcia, Chief John Rosecrans and Azarel Madrigal. The funds came from donations from holiday festival sponsors including the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Co-op, Valley Tractor Repair, Dr. Brian Roberts, Rio Grande Savings & Loan, Absolute Shine Auto Body & Paint, Colorado Potato Administration, Monte Vista Machine & Tool, Pepper Equipment, Jack’s Market Pharmacy, Safeway and Don Tomas Bakery.