Deming Rotary International is lending its support to the Vial of Life Program, along with the City of Deming and Deming Fire Department. From left are Mayor Michelle “Micki” Shillito, Rosalva Zuniga, City Manager Aaron Sera, Deming Fire Chief Joe Owen, Deming Police Chief Sergio Lara, City Councilman Steve Westenhofer (Pro-Tem), City Councilman Joe “Butter” Milo, and Deming Police Capt. Jose “Pepe” Montoya. (Headlight Staff Photo by Billy Armendariz)
News, public health
December 18, 2025
Rotary member pitches life-saving program for seniors
Article by Billy Armendariz, Deming Headlight
Deming Rotary International is lending its support to the Vial of Life Program, along with the City of Deming and Deming Fire Department. From left are Mayor Michelle “Micki” Shillito, Rosalva Zuniga, City Manager Aaron Sera, Deming Fire Chief Joe Owen, Deming Police Chief Sergio Lara, City Councilman Steve Westenhofer (Pro-Tem), City Councilman Joe “Butter” Milo, and Deming Police Capt. Jose “Pepe” Montoya. (Headlight Staff Photo by Billy Armendariz)
When Rosalva Zuniga spoke at a recent Deming Rotary Club meeting, she never thought her words would spread like wildfire.
Transplanted from San Diego, Zuniga returned to her native Deming almost two years ago, and quickly became a Rotarian, part of the international group that meets every Thursday at the La Fonda Restaurant banquet room.
“Wow, it moved fast,” Zuniga said of the Vial of Life project she pitched to Rotary. “I have a friend who lives in Phoenix, and he was working in an assisted living home for the elderly when he told me about the Vial of Life. I thought it was a great idea that could help save lives in homes.”
Once Rotary heard the pitch, it was a no-brainer.
“The plan is a simple one, and we are working with the city of Deming and fire department to move quickly on this,” said Steve Westernhofer, president of the Deming Rotary International and a city councilman.
While the Vial of Life could be in every home, it is tailored mostly for the elderly and family members with existing health conditions. It requires a person to fill out an information form that may include health conditions, medications, doses for those medications and possible treatments in case of an emergency.
The form is then put into a vial or other container and placed in a ziplock sandwich or freezer bag and adhered to the home’s refrigerator.
“It is essential that those forms be kept up-to-date in terms of medications, doses for those medications and/or treatments for the specific health conditions we might be dealing with,” said Fire Chief Joe Owen.
City Manager Aaron Sera said the city has purchased 500 kits, and they will be distributed on Saturday during the city’s Winter Fest celebration at Trees Lake from 2 to 6 p.m. Winter Fest’s highlight will be the city’s first-ever drone light show.
“This will be our launch date,” Sera said. “It sounded like a great idea and low-cost. I talked to Rosalva and Chief Owen and found out it is a national program. I am excited about this, and hope people take advantage of the program.”
Zuniga would like to see the vials distributed in hospitals, senior centers, assisted living homes and anywhere the elderly congregate.
“It is extremely important for our senior community, especially those who live alone,” she said.
Each vial comes with a sticker that can be placed on a window, door, or on the fridge itself to alert first responders of its presence in the home.
Zuniga is no stranger to Deming. Her parents were lifelong residents, and she frequently visited even after marriage and moving on.
“I was so impressed on how quickly the Vial of Life moved forward,” she said. “Rotary, the city, and the fire department were so willing to get involved.”
Sera noted that the 500 Vial of Life kits cost the city $250, and reminded the public they will be available free of charge.