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Community Involvement

Sisbarro Autoworld Volkswagen in Las Cruces NM
Pat & Lou Sisbarro Community Park
Tough Enough to Wear Pink
Help Students Stay in School
Community Involvement

Pat & Lou Sisbarro Community Park at New Mexico State University

Pat and Lou Sisbarro Community Park

Located at New Mexico State University (NMSU), east of Aggie Memorial Stadium, the stunningly beautiful Pat & Lou Sisbarro Community Park officially opened in 2015. The park features well-marked running and walking trails and exercise stations designed to encourage all fitness levels. The serene and peaceful environment invites the whole community to connect with nature. Come summer, the park is home to a giant annual Fourth of July concert and fireworks display.

“This park is a fitting tribute, as Lou Sisbarro was one of the people who recommended creating a park to draw the community to campus more often,” said former NMSU President Garrey Carruthers. “For years to come, as people visit NMSU, this park will serve as a reminder of the relationship Pat and Lou Sisbarro have with this community.”

“The Las Cruces community, of which New Mexico State University is an integral part, has supported the Sisbarro dealerships since 1981,” said Lou Sisbarro, President of the Sisbarro dealerships in Las Cruces and Deming. “This is another way the Sisbarro family can give back to the people of southern New Mexico because of their continued support of our dealerships.”

As part of their philanthropic commitment, the couple established the Pat and Lou Sisbarro Current Use Fund. Proceeds from the gift were designated to “support excellence at New Mexico State University,” enabling the university to fund critical projects in a timely manner. An initial portion of the fund helped support design work for renovations to Williams Hall, home of NMSU’s art department.

Pat and Lou Sisbarro also created a separate, substantial legacy gift for the university. This donation was intended to make a lasting impact on NMSU by providing resources to support important projects and initiatives well into the future.

These efforts reflect the mission of Sisbarro Volkswagen to reinforce the Sisbarro family’s deep roots and long-term commitment to Las Cruces as the dealership approaches its 45th anniversary this year (in May). They are the only community-centric, family-owned and operated dealer group in Las Cruces, and their continued support of New Mexico State University demonstrates a lasting dedication to the people and future of southern New Mexico.

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Sisbarro Family Legacy: “Tough Enough to Wear Pink”

Tough Enough to Wear Pink

The Sisbarro family has long been committed to giving back. One of the most inspiring chapters of that legacy began with Pat Sisbarro, a three-time cancer survivor whose strength and determination helped spark a movement that touched thousands of lives.

In 2006, Pat joined fellow Las Cruces community leaders Laura Conniff, Magellia Boston, and June Mumme to create the “NMSU Aggies Are Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign. Their mission was simple but powerful: raise awareness about breast cancer while generating critical funds to support cancer research and patient care in southern New Mexico.

Tough Enough to Wear Pink

What started as a grassroots effort quickly grew into a regional movement. From 2006 to 2016, the campaign generated more than $3 million in cash and in-kind contributions, supporting cancer initiatives and providing hope to families across the region.

A defining milestone came on September 29, 2007, when New Mexico State University (NMSU) hosted the first “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” football game at Aggie Memorial Stadium. Under the leadership of co-chairs Pat Sisbarro, Laura Conniff, Magellia Boston, and June Mumme, the event united Aggie fans, students, and the community in a sea of pink to support the fight against breast cancer. Sisbarro Volkswagen is proud to honor Pat Sisbarro and the many community partners who helped turn courage into action and awareness into lifesaving impact.

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Sisbarro’s Community Donations Help Local High School Students Stay in School

Sisbarro Helps Kids Stay in School

Sisbarro Volkswagen demonstrated its commitment to the Las Cruces community by partnering with Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) to support the revived Count Me In high school attendance initiative. The program emphasized a simple but impactful message: students succeed when they show up. While attendance challenges had persisted, Count Me In brought renewed motivation and meaningful incentives to help students stay engaged throughout the school year.

Through a $10,000 contribution from Sisbarro Dealerships, the initiative provided $1,000 awards to each participating LCPS high school. These funds supported quarterly, semester, and year-end prize drawings that rewarded students who prioritized attendance. The program also included a “Growth Award,” recognizing students who demonstrated significant improvement, not just perfect attendance.

LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz noted that Sisbarro’s support reinforced the community’s investment in student success. Sisbarro Director of Sales Michael Tourtillott echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that consistent attendance was the foundation of education and the community’s future.

By supporting Count Me In, Sisbarro Volkswagen continued its long-term commitment to local families, schools, and the future of Las Cruces, helping students build habits that would benefit them well beyond high school.

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Sisbarro Volkswagen Supports the Surrounding Communities

Sisbarro Supports Communities

Since 1981, the Sisbarro family and Sisbarro Dealerships—including Sisbarro Volkswagen—have remained committed to giving back to the Las Cruces, Deming, and the southern New Mexico communities that have supported them. Below is a partial list of organizations, nonprofits, and community projects supported by Sisbarro.

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