March 2013 Newsletter
Transcription
March 2013 Newsletter
Spring 2013 Suzanne Greene Executive Director Staff John Beckwith Kathy D’Amore Jenny Follmer Rodolfo Gallegos Andrew McGregor Joe Roos Christine Sbarra Jude Schouweiler Sandy Sexton Steve Willis Board of Directors Sherene Miller, Chair Patti Owen-DeLay, Vice Chair Nino DiMatteo, Treasurer Jeff Town, Secretary Holly Gorman Pamela Jenkins Lori Nebelsick-Gullett Randy Reed Carla Turner Advisory Board Merril Jaeger Joan Sjostrom Associates Priscilla Linsley, Grant writer MISSION STATEMENT The Douglas/Elbert Task Force endeavors to meet the immediate needs of residents of Douglas and Elbert County who are in financial distress and at risk of becoming homeless, to help them work through troublesome times with dignity. Federal Tax ID 74-2395223 WEBSITE: Like us on facebook Task Force Volunteer Receives Channel 7 Everyday Hero Award CASTLE ROCK, Colo. - Have we got a bargain for you. It is a big thrift shop tucked away in Douglas County. It can save you money while helping hundreds of families in financial distress. The Douglas/Elbert Task Force thrift store, Treasures on Park St. has been around for 29 years. Volunteer Connie Huydts has given her time at the store from the beginning. "We started in a garage," said Huydts. Treasures is filled with bargains: clothes, house wares, children's toys, you name it. The Douglas/Elbert Task Force is located in Castle Rock. It provides emergency assistance to the people of Douglas and Elbert counties thanks in large part to Treasures on Park St. right next door. "The myth is there is no poverty in Douglas county. And believe me, that is a myth. We have almost 16,000 people that we served just this last year," said Suzanne Greene, Douglas/Elbert Task Force's executive director. The Task Force even has a food bank for those in need and much more. "We pay portions of people's rent and utilities. We pay GED fees. We do new birthday gifts for kids, just a whole host of things," said Greene. Huydts helps in the shoe department but her real gift is her concern for others. "To me this is important because there are so many people out there who need our help," said Huydts. "Every agency has a heart and Connie is at the heart of the agency," said Greene. "She just lifts everybody's spirit, is so dedicated and is here all the time. She is the heart and soul of this place," said Joseph Roos, director of philanthropy for the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. People from all walks of life come to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force thrift shop to find bargains. They leave with full hearts. "Like they say: 'Did you hug your child today?' Well, when you come in here we hug each other," said Huydts. The Douglas Elbert/ Task Force thrift shop, Treasures on Park St. is at 1638 Park St. in Castle Rock, west of I-25 (exit 182) and 1/3 miles north of Wolfensberger Road. (author Mitch Jelniker, from the Channel 7 Everyday Hero page) www.denverchannel.com Annual Partner LOVE IS ENDURING A bell isn’t a bell until you ring it, a song isn’t a song until you sing it. A love that was put in us wasn’t put there to stay. Love isn’t love until you give it away. A Note of Gratitude The PGA is a Task Force Holiday Sponsor I am just writing to thank all of your employees and volunteers. As someone who is struggling right now, it's very comforting to know that not only is there a program out there for people like myself, but more importantly, you have such a wonderful staff that doesn't make you feel like just a number. I was treated with respect. What a wonderful feeling to have when someone, such as myself, has a bit of embarrassment asking for help. Whatever fears I may have had were completely removed because of the respect and caring I was treated with. Thank you so much. Continue to do what you do. You have made a family a little more comforted tonight. Anonymous The Parker Golf Association (PGA) cares about those in need in Douglas and Elbert counties. “We’re your friends and neighbors who love the game of golf and love to help out,” said one member. PGA members live and work primarily in Parker, Franktown, Elizabeth and Castle Rock. The group has been helping those in need since the 1990’s, and the members have seen first-hand the tragedies created from job losses, illness and other family emergency situations. They know that extending a hand is vital to healthy families and healthy communities. The group works with local food banks, churches and community assistance organizations to identify those families it can assist. The group prefers to remain anonymous as it assists those with grave need. 2012 Santa’s Sharing Sponsors and Donors Thanks to the overwhelming kindness in our community, the Santa Sharing holiday adopt-a-family program connected families in need with generous sponsors and donors. Each year, we are thrilled to make these anonymous connections. Kindhearted sponsors graciously pay for all sorts of necessities and gifts for a family giving our less fortunate neighbors a happier and more hopeful holiday. Other donors provide toys, gift cards and in a few instances cash to take care of a particular pressing need. This past Christmas 951 people were provided gifts of toys, clothing, food, gift cards and cash by 124 sponsors. Statistically this was the biggest year yet with 16% more clients helped and 18% more sponsor/donor participants than last year. We are SO very pleased to recognize the following holiday sponsors and donors: Aldred, John & Nancy Arapahoe Comm. College, Castle Rock Atzmiller, Paul & Cheryl Bank of Amerca/Merrill Lynch Bannell Custom Decks and Basement Bartee, Jennifer Bear Canyon Elementary Bonner, Joe & Carlene Brodin Family (Bob & Lisa) Canyon Comm Church/Christ the King Castle Pines Mission Castle Rock Care Center Castle Rock Elementary Staff Castle Rock Fire & Rescue - B Shift (Eric Morganthaler) Castle Rock Fire Dept. Explorers (Joe Dell) Castle Rock Methodist, Leah's Circle Castle Rock Optimist Club Castle Rock Stars (Nate Tucker) Center for Spiritual Living of Castle Rock Chouinard, Amy Civitan of Castle Rock Club at Pradera, The Conover Family (Kelly) Copperfalls Spa & Salon Cornerstone Presbyterian Crave Real Burgers Cub Scout Pack 721 (Jeff Pepper) Davidson, Deborah & son Davis, Erin DCS Montessori Charter School Page 2 DeSanto, Kristen Douglas County Government - Traffic Douglas County Libraries Drug Enforcement Administration Centennial Evans, Cyndi Family Evolution Digital Faith Lutheran Ladies Group Faith Lutheran Preschool FirstBank Gandy, Joan Garcia, Yvonne Family Garvin, Philip & Angela Gengel, Tiffeny family Girl Scout Troop 3257 (Heidi Grijalva) Girl Scout Troop 908 (Kristi Owens) Gonzalez, JoAnn Graffiti, Mark (Cub Scouts) Halker Consulting, LLC Hanson, Linda Harrison & Brust Families Highlands Ranch Dental Care/ Lynelle Zabel, DDS Hill, Steve/Marlene & Malone Craig/Judy Holcomb, John Holt Family (Charles, Natasha & Ryder) Houston, Tricia family Johnson, Seanna Family Kaus, Norm & Pat Klonaris Family Koogle, Larry & Jamie Kathy Kraski & Jane Link Ladies Bible Study Group Ladies of Castle Pines North Larkspur Chamber Lewis, Rev. Marilyn & Smith, Beverly Lillis Foundation, The Lipton/Moore/Hurd Family Littman, Susan Lydia's Circle-Epiphany Luther Church Marshall, Don & Carol Meadows Neighborhood Company Mercy Hill Church MHS Families (Erika Milligan) Milliron, Sharon & Frank Moldestad, Jill Family Molner Family (Ann) Mom's Club of Castle Rock Mourning, Beth & Miller,Kelly Naughton Family (Tina) New Covenant Fellowship Old Stone Church Restaurant Oldcastle Precast OSHA Englewood Office Page-Cooper, Nancy & Page, Bill Parker Golf Association, The Patterson, Bob & Margot PEO Chapter IC Plum Creek Community Church Youth Group Pool, Zachary Preslan, Sandee & Thom Rafters Family (Pam) Rafters, Chelsea Rocky Mountain Excavating, Inc Roos, Joe & Mary Roper Family (Lesley) Samuels, Carolyn Sbarra Family Schutte, Danene Sky Ridge Medical Center Smith/Waldrop Family Snodgrass, Rebecca & Justin family Snyder, Vicky & Bill Soltis, Victoria & the Troy Family Spencer, Barbara Spring Valley Church Strutton, Larry & Carolyn Stucky Realty Company Sutton, Sharon Tafoya, Michelle Teem, Hailey & Chris Teen Advisory Group Thompson, Jennifer KIDSDDS TMMC Property Management Tuell, Jeremy Wagner, Michelle & Bill West Family (Jenny, Meb & Brooke) West, Ron & Kay Whittingham Family Wildcat Mountain Elem (Littleton) …..we would also like to thank all those, not mentioned here, who simply dropped off a check, toy or gift card without completing a sponsor/donor form. We know there were many. Toys not gifted at Christmas provide client children with birthday gifts through out the year. Treasures News Hi! For those of you who I have not met, let me introduce myself. I am Christie Sbarra and I am the new Store Manager for Treasures on Park St. (the thrift store of the Douglas/ Elbert Task Force). I am the new kid on the block at the Task Force, having come on board in November of 2012. While I am new to the Task Force and running the thrift store, I am far from new in the field of retail management. I have spent the majority of my career with retail and restaurant corporations such as Brinker International, Rock Bottom, and Starbucks and most recently owned a children’s consignment shop in downtown Castle Rock. I am so excited to have this great opportunity to be a part of the Task Force. I get to take my experience and put it to great use to help others in my own community. Our store keeps growing but so do the needs of our clients, so we have big plans for the next few years. If you have not been in the store lately, please come in and check out all the recent changes that Sandy Sexton, Assistant Store Manager and I have been working on with all of our wonderful volunteers. We hear great comments daily. When you come in please find one of us and let us know what you think, we can’t wait to meet you! Christie Sbarra, Store Manager Treasures on Park Street Thank you for your support of the Douglas/Elbert Task Force by participating last year in Colorado Gives Day, a 24 hour event of the GivingFirst program at Community First Foundation. Executive Director’s Corner 2012 was another banner year for the Douglas/ Elbert Task Force, as our agency provided $1,050,034 in services to almost 16,000 clients in Douglas and Elbert Counties. You made that happen. You donated to Treasures on Park Street and shopped there, too. You donated directly to the Task Force. You attended the Sassy Soiree, ran in the Turkey Rock Trot, Celebrated the Season, and recycled your old electronics. You encouraged your church, service organization or school to hold a food drive for the Food Bank. You gave the bounty of your garden to those who were hungry. You bought toys for children who wouldn’t celebrate birthdays or holidays with new gifts. You gave elders a Christmas stocking full of goodies, including warm socks. You did that. And we are very grateful. In 2013 we hope to complete the last unfinished space in our wonderful building in order to move and expand our Client Services area. The move to the west end of our building will provide a larger space for client reception, two client services staff offices, an additional volunteer office, and an expanded children’s area. All of this is geared toward affording greater privacy for our clients, and allowing us to see more families each day. You’ll hear more about our plans as the year progresses. In the meantime, we and almost 16,000 clients thank you again for your giving hearts, your kindness and your incredible generosity. Suzanne Greene, Executive Director In late December $20,533.18, was raised through 69 gifts to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force via www.GivingFirst.org — a 162% increase in donations over 2011, and a 50% increase in donors. We also received $393.18 for our portion of the FirstBank Incentive Fund. If you participate in an employer matching program, please contact the D/ETF directly, as those funds will not go through this Community First Foundation program. What a great way to help your neighbors in need. Thank you! 20% OFF ALL PURCHASES MARCH 2013 with this coupon Castle Rock ‘N’ Rollers Roller Derby Tournament Benefits Local Residents Castle Rock 'n' Rollers were proud to donate a portion of both the proceeds from their Fall Down/Mix-Up Roller Derby Tournament and the Silent Auction to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. Castle Rock ‘N’ Rollers and the Task Force are continually looking for ways to partner to help those in need in their community. “Castle Rock ‘N’ Rollers skaters are so appreciative of the work the Task Force does each and every day and are honored to help in this small way,” said Mandy Erwin as she presented a check in the amount of $350 to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. New items arriving daily Lots of Furniture ● Jewelry ● Books ● Art Fabulous Prices on Kids Clothing Hours: Mon - Sat 9am to 4pm Open Wednesday until 6pm Donations accepted 9am to 3pm Mon/Tue/Fri/Sat only behind the store (north side) Page 3 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID CASTLE ROCK, CO 80104 PERMIT NO. 133 Help & Hope Here... 1638 Park Street Castle Rock, CO 80109 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED PEN S IS NOW O m TREASURE p 6 YS UNTIL A D S E N D E W 1638 Park St. Castle Rock, CO 80109 Treasures on Park Street 303-688-6129 Mon – Sat 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Wed open until 6 pm DONATION HOURS Mon & Tue - Fri & Sat 9:00 am – 3 pm (weathering permitting) CONGRATULATIONS!! 1,750 runners, the largest in the history of the event, raised a whopping net amount of $43,408 on Thanksgiving morning 2012. Funds support Task Force emergency services. Rock Trot 2013 is Thanksgiving morning, November 28 EVENTS CALENDAR Blue Star Recyclers Saturday, May 18 and October 19, 2013 10am to 2pm A semi-annual event held at the Douglas County High School. The event allows for an environmentally responsible and secure way to recycle obsolete computer equipment, audio/video components, televisions and small household appliances. Recycling fee will apply on TV’s and monitors. Saturday - June 15 and November 16, 2013 7am to 4pm Client Services & Administration 303-688-1114 720-382-1249 fax CLIENT SERVICES & FOOD BANK Mon – Fri 9:00 am – 12:00 noon www.detaskforce.org King Soopers at Castle Pines and at Castle Rock I-25/Founders All food donations go to the Douglas and Elbert County clients. Cash donations will be accepted. To volunteer: contact Kathy at 303-688-1114x14 September 13th - Friday 10am to 3pm Douglas County Events Center, Castle Rock 10th Annual Sassy Soiree - Luncheon, Fashion Show, Boutique, Live and Silent Auctions. Sponsors and Auction Donors welcome. Contact: Christie Sbarra at 303-688-6129 or Nani at [email protected] Reserved tables and individual tickets go on sale in early July No consignments, no booths available.