Sallie Rizzo: In the Thick of It

When you talk to Sallie Rizzo about her participation in the Rio Communities Optimist Club, you quickly notice a recurring theme — kids.

Helping kids. Inspiring kids. Working with kids. Supporting and advocating for kids.

Rizzo’s enthusiasm for providing enriching, safe activities for the youth of Rio Communities and Valencia County fits perfectly with the Optimist International mission to “bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.”

In the late 1970s, Rizzo moved to Albuquerque, following several family members who had relocated to the Land of Enchantment from the east coast. After 20 years of working as a traveling nurse, she retired and then spent 10 years working at Share ʼn Care Pharmacy in Belen after moving to Rio Communities in 1989.

She “finally retired” in 2012 and joined the Belen Breakfast Optimists. Rizzo’s involvement with the Optimists actually dates back to 1995, so the local club was a good fit.

“They help kids,” Rizzo said. “Bring out the best in kids.”

The group would meet regularly at Rutilio’s restaurant, Rizzo recalls, but eventually the club folded. There was still a desire in the community to have an organization focused on youth, so in 2018, there was a resurgence of interest and Rio Communities Club No. 19628 was formed. It is one of 1,256 clubs in the U.S. and one of 10 in New Mexico.

“When we built the club, we put the word out on Nextdoor. There was a whole group of people who responded,” she said. “It was such a great response.

During her time in the Rio Communities Optimist Club, Rizzo has served as president and secretary, and been the chairwoman of many of the committees within the club.

Rizzo was nominated as an Unsung Hero this year by club president Marilyn Winters, who said in addition to her commitment to the Optimist Club, Rizzo is very involved in the Rio Communities Wellness Council, which organizes regular health fairs, as well as other local organizations that support the community, such as the First United Methodist Church food box distribution.

Rizzo has been in the thick of it with the club, helping to organize golf tournament fundraisers for the chapter, pitching in with LEGO STEM camps over the years thanks to Meta’s community grant program, as well as Easter egg hunts, youth photo competitions, bike safety events, a drive-thru sock distribution during COVID for Belen elementary school students and performing arts camp for local children.

This year the club is partnering with the Rio Communities Police Department for a day-long Christmas extravaganza featuring everyone’s favorite green holiday meanie.

“We’re going to do ‘How the Grinch Stole Rio Communities.’ It’s going to be a whole day of fun,” she said. “Last year, we had more than 360 kids at our event. It was such an amazing turnout.”

Rizzo said being nominated as an Unsung Hero was a huge honor and very humbling.

“Especially coming from Marilyn and the things she does. She does so much. She is my unsung hero,” Rizzo said. “I’m honored, especially to be nominated by someone like Marilyn.”

The programs and events the club hosts aren’t just for children living in Rio Communities, she said.

“These are open to the whole community,” Rizzo said. “This is all about the kids. We would love to have more members. For every 100 people you ask, you get one to join.

“What we do is for the kids. If you like working with kids, this is going to be the place for you. It’s hands on working with kids.”

While members do pay dues to help support the Optimist International umbrella organization, all the money raised by local fundraisers stays with the local club, Rizzo said.

“If you want to join, just talk to a member,” she said. “We are all very different people but we’re very close. We all come together and do anything we can to give kids something to do.”

The club meets at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Rio Communities City Hall, 360 Rio communities Blvd.

From socks to LEGOs to a recently established Chess Club, club members keep their focus on uplifting youth in the community. During a recent meeting of the Chess Club, Rizzo and her husband, Chuck, were on hand to make sure the children ended the session with a snack and a drink.

As the hour wrapped up, three youngsters made sure to say ‘thank you’ to Rizzo and give her a hug.

“That’s it,” she said with a smile. “That’s what it’s all about.”