Valentine’s Day is a few days away and while some are doing their last-minute shopping for gifts and cards, Sixto Aguirre is getting ready for the first-ever father (male figure)/daughter dance at McCurdy Ministries.
Aguirre first became interested in hosting an event like this about three years ago, when he attended a similar event in Santa Fe with his then-2-year-old daughter.
“I looked for others in Santa Fe, but never heard about them again,” he said of the dance.
He’d had conversations with people in hopes of organizing a dance in Española, but it never came to fruition until he spoke with McCurdy Ministries Executive Director Tiffany Hollums.
The dance has been in the planning stages for the last month. Aguirre spoke with representatives from McCurdy Ministries and a few other nonprofit organizations such as United Way and CASA First, in hopes of getting their help and sponsorship for the event.
“… They’re helping out big time,” Aguirre said. “And they’re doing it all for free.”
Fairview Flowers and Flowers by DNA are providing blooms while La Cocina is catering the event and Alonzo Desserts will provide the sweet treats. DJ Danny B will provide music and Sandoval Photography will capture the event.
Aguirre said he’s a single father in recovery, but even in his addiction, he was still in his child’s life.
“I want to encourage fathers to be part of their kids’ lives,” he said. “We need to be in our daughters’ lives to teach them how to be treated and taken care of.”
He is tired of all the “negative stuff” that is said about Española and wants to try to do positive things for the city and it’s residents.
“I pride myself on being a father,” Aguirre said. “I just want other men to do that and take the initiative to step up to the plate and be active in their childrens’ lives, especially their daughters.”
Though this is the first father/daughter event, Aguirre plans to continue planning others in the future.
“I want it to get bigger and bigger,” he said. “We have more than 50 RSVPs.”
The RSVP window has closed, however. The deadline was Feb. 8.
He stressed that the event is for fathers (or father figures) and daughters only, but said in the future, he may consider doing an event for mothers and sons, but right now, he feels it’s an important event for fathers and daughters.
And though Aguirre acknowledges that not everyone has a father in their life, he encourages older cousins, grandfathers and brothers to bring a relative and have a good time.
“This is a night for fathers to be with their daughters, show them a good time, eat with them and dance with them,” Aguirre said. “It’s going to be a great thing. It’s the first but not the last.”
The event is free for all to attend and there’s no age limit.
“It’s for everyone,” Aguirre said. “I even told some older ladies to bring their dads and come hang out. Andrea Lucero, who works with United Way and her sisters, are even taking their dad.”
Those who attend are expected to wear formal attire. Recognizing that not everyone has formal attire, McCurdy Ministries pitched in to help out. They put out a call on social media, asking for suits and dresses to help outfit those who don’t have anything to wear to the dance. As a result, those who need something to wear can get help through Locker #505, which is a student clothing bank at McCurdy.
The dance will be from 4-7 p.m. Saturday (2/14) at the Cole Community room.