The OtterCares Podcast

We have a lot to be thankful for. From the fantastic people and organizations we partner with to bring our mission to life to the incredible people who make up Otter Products and live out our core value of Giving Back, we are privileged to be a part of experiences and stories of transformational impact. We've learned that at the core of all impact is relationships. Whether a relationship between a teacher and a student or an individual and an organization, the relationships that we forge with others can create a positive impact in their lives. And sometimes, we had no idea that we were the catalyst of that impact. 

We had a chance to catch up with Otter Products employee, Cass Santoro and Heidi Olinger, the CEO of one of our partner organizations, Pretty Brainy, to talk about how one person's choice to invest their time and talent can create far-reaching and long-lasting impact. Several years ago, Cass signed up to volunteer to help Pretty Brainy with a project to connect young women to STEM in fun and hands-on ways. Cass had no idea that her choice to engage with Pretty Brainy would change the course of her life as well as create impact in the lives of so many other young women. Get ready to be INSPIRED! 

Check out Episode 6 of the OtterCares Podcast! We reflect on a very special day we have the joy of hosting each year - Pack2School! Our annual Pack2School event is about so much more than school supplies; it's about community. What a great way to start the school year!

We're back from our summer break and are sharing some of the cool things we experience over the last couple months and talk about what we're up to this fall! Check out this episode of the OtterCares Podcast and hear about some of the impactful projects we were apart of in June, what we were up to in July and hear more stories of impact that you can watch on YouTube Channel!

It's National Volunteer Week! We're celebrating the week (and every day!) that focuses on the importance of volunteering. From picking up trash at a local park to using your professional skills to help an organization, everyone has the ability to make a difference by using their time, talent and treasure in our community. Listen to this month's episode of the OtterCares Podcast to get inspired to volunteer in your community, either in-person or virtually! Want to volunteer but not sure where to start? Check out volunteermatch.org to get started! 

Sometimes you have to look back to appreciate your journey and get excited about the future. In our journey, we've had the privilege of partnering with some incredible organizations that have allowed us the opportunity to invest in the future and create long-lasting, transformational change in the lives of students and in our communities. One of these partners is the Rocky Mountain chapter of Junior Achievement. We sat down with Kelsey and Elizabeth from JA to reflect on a relationship that has spanned over a decade and celebrate the impact we have created together. So many feels!

It's National Entrepreneurship Week! Entrepreneurship is not just one pillar of our mission - it is a mindset that has the potential to create long lasting, transformational change in our communities and the world! Check out this month's episode as we chat about the why behind entrepreneurship and why entrepreneurs and an entrepreneurial mindset should be celebrated all year long!

Happy 2022! We're jumping right into the New Year with some helpful tips and ideas for helping you craft a killer grant proposal! We sat down with Hilary Sontag, Director of Competitive Grants & Strategic Partnerships at St. Vrain Valley Schools in Longmont, Colo., to chat about all things grant writing, including how to develop partnerships with potential funders and overcoming writer's block to help convey your idea in words. Have grant writing as a goal to accomplish this year? Take a listen!

Another year of impact, learning and growth in the books! As we wrap up 2021, we take time in our final episode of the year to reflect on the moments that made the year memorable. Take a listen and remember to celebrate your growth and learning from this past year! Thank you to ALL of our amazing listeners who make this Podcast possible! Happy New Year!

It's the most WONDERFUL time of the year...to give back! As we approach the end of the year and the holiday season, there are so many ways we can help inspire kiddos in our world to give back by leveraging the spirit of the season. Whether it is finding ways to volunteer as a family during the holidays or creating fun and easy activities that help young people understand the power they have to help others, this time of the year is the perfect time to dive into those opportunities that bring the joy of giving to life. We chatted with our Impact and Education Director, Sarah Weeks, all about ways that anyone can jump into giving back and creating impact in their communities! Get inspired!!

Welcome to episode 9 of the OtterCares Podcast! In this episode, we have the privilege to chat with an incredible Otter who volunteers over 200 hours a year with nonprofits she cares about! Not only is she an amazing Otter, she is also the recipient of the Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award and February 26, 2021 was officially “Liza Patton Day” in Denver  in recognition of her incredible volunteerism! What an inspiration!