Albuquerque City Councilors Stephanie Telles and Dan Lewis Announce Joint Support for Aaliyah Vigil Legacy Foundation’s ‘Trunk-or-Treat for a Cause’
Event benefits the Foundation’s efforts to stop gun violence among youth.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — District 1 City Councilor Stephanie Telles and District 5 City Councilor Dan Lewis are proud to announce their joint support for the Aaliyah Vigil Legacy Foundation, contributing a combined $1,250 to sponsor the organization’s upcoming "Trunk-or-Treat for a Cause" event. Councilor Telles has donated $550, and Councilor Lewis has contributed $700 from their City Council discretionary funds to help fund the event dedicated to providing a safe, high-energy space for local youth and families.
The "Trunk-or-Treat for a Cause" will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM in the Fuego 505 Parking Lot, located at 5750 McMahon Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM. The free event goes beyond traditional Halloween festivities, featuring live gladiator-style sparring, local barber battles, a car show, local vendors, and trunk-or-treat candy distribution.
The Aaliyah Vigil Legacy Foundation is a grassroots organization deeply committed to reducing teen gun violence across Albuquerque. The foundation was established by Danielle Vigil in honor of her daughter, Aaliyah Vigil, who tragically lost her life at the age of 20 in a 2022 unsupervised house party shooting.
Driven by the mission to turn a profound tragedy into a protective shield for the City’s youth, the foundation operates on a "Gloves Up, Guns Down" and "Community Up" philosophy. By partnering with City and County officials, including the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department, the foundation actively offers constructive and secure alternatives to dangerous street activity, drugs, and alcohol.
"The Aaliyah Vigil Legacy Foundation is doing incredible, on-the-ground work to reach our youth where they are," said Councilor Stephanie Telles. "Youth violence intervention isn't optional; it's one of the most important things we can do for the safety and future of our community, and it starts with giving young people somewhere positive to be. By providing safe, structured, and exciting environments for our teens, we are taking actionable steps to prevent further tragedies. I am honored to support their mission."
"It is a privilege to stand alongside Councilor Telles in supporting an organization that is making a real difference," said Councilor Dan Lewis. "Danielle Vigil has turned an unimaginable loss into a beacon of hope and safety for Albuquerque's youth. Events like this Trunk-or-Treat, show our young people that their community supports them and values their future."
The Aaliyah Vigil Legacy Foundation regularly hosts highly secured events tailored to engage local teens, including summer teen dance nights, youth boxing and sparring exhibitions with Code of a Champion Boxing, and community car shows featuring two-step audio face-offs and mechanic challenges.
Community members are encouraged to attend the October 25 event to support the cause. For updates, donation matching opportunities, and ways to get involved, the public can follow the foundation’s official Instagram page at @aaliyahvigilslegacyfoundation.