It’s all about the ice, as a slate of fundraisers centers around our beautiful Evergreen Lake. This time of year is perfect for reinventing family traditions and taking advantage of the unique opportunities abundant in our natural surroundings.
Marmalade Makes a Difference With Give Back Program
When you shop at Marmalade in Downtown Evergreen, you will not only find unique jewelry and accessories made from environmentally conscious sources, but your purchase will also support local and regional nonprofits. Community-minded owner Larae Evans has begun a “give back” initiative which directs a percentage of the retailer’s monthly sales proceeds to a designated beneficiary.
For the month of December, the store has chosen GOALS (Get Outside and Learn Something), a nonprofit that organizes wild river expeditions that promote a deeper connection between kids and nature. It integrates a curriculum developed by professional educators and wilderness guides that inspires participants to reach beyond their limitations to grow individually and as a team. More information is available at goalsonrivers.org.
Camp Comfort, a program offered through Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice to support children grieving the loss of a loved one, will be Marmalade’s nonprofit beneficiary for the month of January. Go to mtevans.org to learn more.
Enjoy a Family-Fun New Year’s Eve on Ice
Gather your family and head to Evergreen Lake to begin your New Year’s celebration at the Ice Fest hosted by the Evergreen Park & Recreation District from 10 am to 6 pm on December 31. Skate on the largest outdoor Zamboni-groomed ice-skating rink in North America, play hockey and broomball, and then toast marshmallows while warming by a firepit. Admission is $30 per person for ages four and older, with children three and under free. Tickets will be available for purchase on the day of the event on a first come, first served basis. Skate rentals are available for an additional $10 while they last.
Complementing the lake activities will be food trucks onsite, the showing of winter-themed movies, a DJ, and a variety of games. A free shuttle will be available from Stagecoach Park at 3229 El Pinal Drive.
EPRD notes that there will not be fireworks or a laser show at Ice Fest. The event is alcohol-free, and ice dependent. Check EvergreenRecreation.com for updates.
Start 2024 With a Thrill at the Polar Plunge on Evergreen Lake
You can begin a new year with a splash by participating in the annual Polar Plunge organized by Active4All, a nonprofit arm of the Evergreen Park & Recreation District. Event proceeds will support the EPRD INSPIRE program.
This New Year’s Day tradition will start a bit earlier—at 10 am—and end at noon. There will be heated changing rooms separate for men and women, and food trucks onsite. EMS and Evergreen Fire Department will be available to assist. New this year will be limited, $25 VIP parking at the lake house. To register for the plunge, go to a4aevergreen.org
Ice Melt Ticket Sales Underway
The Mountain Foothills Rotary Club has begun to sell tickets for the Ice Melt Contest, an annual fundraiser the Club organizes to benefit the EPRD INSPIRE special needs program, Evergreen Christian Outreach, Crutches4Africa, and other charities supported by Mountain Foothills Rotary Foundation.
In the next few weeks, Rotarians will place a barrel on the iced-over Evergreen Lake. Individuals can participate in the Ice Melt Contest by purchasing tickets and entering the date and time when they believe the barrel will fall through the ice. First place prize for the most accurate guess is $1,000; second place $500; third place $250; and fourth place $125. Entries are due by midnight on March 17, 2024.
Tickets are one for $3, two for $5, five for $10, 11 for $20 and 67 for $100. Additional contest details and information on sponsorship opportunities are available at EvergreenIceMelt.com.
