Discovering New Ways to Support Nonprofits

Our mountain area nonprofits are hosting creative alternatives to their traditional fundraisers. In the wake of COVID-19, they have risen to the challenge of redesigning their events to make them accessible, safe and engaging. Won’t you take part?

July 23 Women’s Self Defense Class Co-Sponsored by Resilience1220

Resilience1220, in partnership with InPower and Dr. Debra Rouse, will present Women’s Self-Defense, a class for women 14 and older on Thursday, July 23 from 11 am – 1 pm at Buchanan Field. Participants will learn the “ABCs” of self-defense: awareness, boundaries and combat. The goal of the workshop, taught by Master Theresa Byrne, is to introduce important safety skills, activate inner strength and promote greater peace of mind.

While event organizers are not requiring a registration fee, donations in the $10 – $50 range are encouraged in support of Resilience1220 and its work to build self-confidence and self-empowerment for teens, especially those who may be struggling with challenges such as depression and hopelessness. Licensed therapists provide free counseling services to youth ages 12-20 in the mountain communities west of Denver. Resilience1220 works to raise awareness of the social, emotional and mental health issues young adults face, and to provide the necessary life skills to create wellness and resiliency in their lives.

To register for the workshop, go to bit.ly/31YKE6v. For the safety and comfort of all participants, attendees are required to wear masks and adhere to social distancing protocol.

Blue Spruce Kiwanis Helping
Hands Challenge Boosts Nonprofits

With so many traditional fundraisers being canceled or reshaped into virtual experiences due to COVID-19, many of our area nonprofits have seen a marked decline in donations. The Blue Spruce Kiwanis Club, dedicated to serving children and community causes, has designed an innovative way to make a difference through its Helping Hands Community Challenge program.

The club’s foundation is seeking donations that will assist a different nonprofit recipient each month. For the month of July, 50 percent of all donations received by the Kiwanis Foundation (by August 1) will go directly to Evergreen Christian Outreach (EChO). Every month, the other 50 percent of each contribution will be distributed to foundation supported nonprofits that impact mountain area children and families. In addition to EChO, these organizations include Mountain Resource Center, Loaves and Fishes, Resilience1220, Project Sanctuary, Center for the Arts Evergreen, Evergreen Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts, Camp Comfort, Conifer High School Robotics Club, Morgan Adams Foundation, Second Wind, Elks Club of Evergreen, STEAM at Marshdale Elementary, Green Team Superheroes at Wilmot Elementary, Alpine Rescue Team, Hiwan Homestead, Bootstraps Inc., Key Clubs at Evergreen, Clear Creek and Platte Canyon High Schools, Circle K Club at Colorado School of Mines and the Aktion Club.

If you are interested in making a tax deductible contribution to the Community Challenge, you can do so by going to 

BlueSpruceKiwanis.org/Challenge. You can also sign up to make a recurring monthly donation.

The Dam Ducky Derby Set for August 1 in Downtown Evergreen

This year’s Dam Ducky Derby, a beloved local event presented by the Evergreen Downtown Business Association, will take place on Saturday, August 1 with the “duck drop” at the dam at 1 pm. This is especially good news in a summer where nearly all of our favorite activities have been paused.

To participate in this fun family outing, you can purchase one or more uniquely numbered rubber ducks. When the ducks are dropped from above the dam, they race down Bear Creek to the finish line at Highland Haven Creekside Inn.

The winning duck numbers are documented as they cross the finish line, and cash prizes are awarded to the owners of the speediest ducks. In addition to prizes for the fastest floaters, there will be gifts for a Lucky Duck, whose number is chosen at random, the Quackiest Name (which you can send to [email protected]), and the Last Quack, the final duck to cross the finish line. There will be a total of $3,000 awarded in cash prizes, so there is plenty of incentive to enter.

Ducks are available for sale from several Evergreen merchants or “Duck Stops:” Baskin Robbins, Cactus Jack’s Saloon & Grill, Evergreen Crafters, Evergreen Clothing Company, The Evergreen Gallery, Marmalade Jewelry, Mountain Realty/Best Homes, Rickys Island BBQ, Seasonally Yours and Mountain Man Nut & Fruit, Swan Realty and Sweetwater Boutique.

Area nonprofits are also selling the ducks and receiving $1 for their organization for each duck sale. They are Blue Spruce Habitat for Humanity, Blue Spruce Kiwanis, EChO Resale Shop and Leadership Evergreen. You can participate in online sales as well. After purchasing your ducks online, your duck numbers will be sent to you in time for the Duck Drop.

Proceeds from the Duck Derby go to support the Downtown Evergreen Holiday Walk and the Evergreen Christian Outreach Food Pantry. For more information and to purchase your ducks online, go to DowntownEvergreen.com.