Guest: Jennifer Orrigo Charles Executive Director

Colorado Preservation Inc.’s works to ensure historic places across Colorado are protected and will be preserved for future generations. The also provide advocacy, education and outreach to communities across Colorado.  They help to write grants, help get funding, even help write tax credit applications.  Coming up January 29th - February 1st is the Saving Places Conference at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs.  This year the theme is Intangible Heritage.  They will be exploring how customs, traditions, and knowledge passed down through generations are intertwined with the built environment.  During the conference, they will be announcing the places they will be working to preserve this year. 

savingplacesconference.org   

Guest: Paul Andrews President and CEO

The National Western Stock Show starts on January 11th and will be here for two weeks.  It all kicks off with the big parade on January 9th in downtown Denver with the Grand Marshal being Kathy Sabine.  The National Western Stock Show is a non-profit that started in 1906.   The show is sixteen days with rodeos, PBR, livestock shows, horse shows, shopping and so much more.  Over 50 states and a lot of countries from around the world will be represented this year. 

https://nationalwestern.com/

Guest: Jill Shenkel Henwood Executive Director

Linda and Jimmy Yip lost their only son, Nathan in a car accident.  The Yips turned that tragedy into a foundation to honor Nathan’s legacy.  Originally they supported projects in rural China, in the last nine years they started to focus on rural schools in Colorado.  Teachers in rural areas apply for grants, in 2024 they had over $400,000 worth of requests from about 208 teachers.  On February 1st for the Chinese New Year celebration, the Nathan Yip Foundation will have a celebration to celebrate the year of the snake.  It is a family style dinner, there is a silent auction, lion dancers, and a traditional salad toss.  The Year of the snake is associated with wisdom, elegance, charm and transformation.

nathanyetfoundation.org

Dr. Lena Heilmann, Director, Office of Suicide Prevention

Summary: For decades the prevailing thought was suicide was highest during the Holiday period however recent studies show that is not the case. In Colorado, the 8th leading cause of death is suicide, with the state in 2020 losing 101 children ages 10-19 to suicide. This program provides insights and prevention information to those at risk during the holiday’s to reconsider such thoughts.

https://cdphe.colorado.gov/suicide-prevention

Guest: Heather Burke Spokesperson and Inka Nisinbaum, a double lung and liver transplant recipient

This holiday season, Donor Alliance is encouraging Coloradans and Wyomingites to check one very important task off their to-do lists: giving the gift of life by registering to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor.  Right now, there are nearly 1,300 people in our community waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. On a national scale, that number jumps to more than 100,000 people.  Tens of thousands of people also need tissue donations. Tissue transplants can also save and heal lives, including those suffering from trauma, disease, or even blindness.  Registering to become a donor is really easy, you can either check the box when you renew your ID, or just visit their website and you can sign up there.  One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation and help heal up to 75 lives through tissue donation.

 https://www.donoralliance.org/

Guest: Eric Lionheart Founder

First There Foundation organization devoted to supporting all Combat Controllers during life’s most challenging moments.  First There Foundation does not just help the Combat Controllers but they also help their families.  Combat Controllers is a team in the military that many people do not know about their job.  It can be a struggle to trust people when looking for help when they are telling you, they have never heard of you.  First There Foundation helps Combat Controllers get resources the help they were they feel safe. 

https://www.1stthere.org/ 

Guest: Pos Ryant, Executive Director

Apprentice of Peace Youth Organization (AOPYO) works with youth of all backgrounds, but particularly those from marginalized communities in Denver, Aurora, Brighton, and Jefferson counties.  They work with elementary through high school as well as young adult by mentoring the youth in wellness and career pathways programs.  The Laws of Life is their stem-based approach to our programming.  Laws stands for leadership, Arts, and Wellness and skill trades.  When kids have a mentor, they're less likely to skip school and they're more likely to volunteer in the community.  AOPYO teaches the kids Tai Chi, which helps with focus, relaxation and calmness.  AOPYO also provide counseling, therapeutic services and home crisis management.     

https://www.aopyo.org/

Guest: Dr. Lena Heilmann, Director, Office of Suicide Prevention

For decades the prevailing thought was suicide was highest during the Holiday period however recent studies show that is not the case. In Colorado, the 8th leading cause of death is suicide, with the state in 2020 losing 101 children ages 10-19 to suicide. This program provides insights and prevention information to those at risk during the holiday’s to reconsider such thoughts.

https://cdphe.colorado.gov/suicide-prevention

Guest: Jean Gordon Director

Arvada is known for the restaurants and bars but they also have a lot of great shop.  Brand new is a boutique is called Mermaid Walking, they have a lot of cute clothes and accessories.  Electric Cherry is great for anyone who loves vinyl record, fun coffee table books, musical bios, fine art books.  Jack's and Steamers offers different kind of jam and proceeds benefit disabled community. On December 22nd, you can enjoy a carriage ride and even deals on gift card.  Don’t forget to pick up your BINGO card to learn more about Arvada and turn it in to win prizes.  Arvada has a lot of activities going on through the first of the year.

www.visitarvada.org

Guest: Theresa Joseph Director of Development

Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation provides direct assistance to more than 10,000 families.  They help comes in three forms for the families: financially, emotional, nutritional.  They believe that no family should have to stress about their essential needs while navigating the experience of having a child with a health condition.  They help families with newborns up to the children to 18, they have even seen some up to the age of 24.  Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation is always looking financial support, but they are also looking for toys or even donations for their teens in the hospital.  They are even looking for donations of donated mothers’ milk.  Coming up on February 22, 2025, they are hosting their 13th Annual Kaleidoscope Gala.  This year’s theme is Hope From Heartache. 

www.rmchildren.org 

https://kaleidoscopegala.com/