Tuesday, January 31, 2012

11th Annual Imagine! Celebration Raises $245, 000

Since the 11th Annual Imagine! Celebration was held just a few days ago, we hope you’ll understand that this is just a brief summary of the event. We’ll be providing much more information (and photos) in the coming weeks, so please stay tuned!

The wonderful news is that the Imagine! Celebration brought in $245,000! This is a 12% increase over the $218,000 raised last year.

The event was held last Friday, January 27, at the Plaza Hotel Conference Center in Longmont. More than 200 silent and live auction items were available, a video highlighting Imagine!’s services was shown, parents of a child who had received services spoke, and more than 400 people attended.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Imagine! - Two Stories

At the Imagine! Celebration this past Friday, a video was debuted with two stories that demonstrate the impact Imagine!’s work has on the lives of those they serve, as well as their families. Check it out below.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Congratulations, Sandy!

Congratulations are in order for Alexander E. “Sandy” Bracken, who was appointed yesterday to the University of Colorado Quigg and Virginia S. Newton Endowed Chair in Leadership.

Sandy also happens to be the President of the Imagine! Foundation Board of Directors and has been a great supporter of Imagine! for a long time. Way to go, Sandy!


Thursday, January 26, 2012

Thank You Thursday!

Here’s this week’s roundup of generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation:

Gold ($5000-$9,999)
Betty Eldridge – Imagine! Celebration Gold Sponsor

Silver ($2,500-$4,999)
Amgen, Inc. – Silver Sponsor + 6 Tickets To Imagine! Celebration
Collins Foundation at Wells Fargo (grant for Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome)

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Sandy & Sally Bracken – Imagine! Celebration Table
Front Range Community College – Imagine! Celebration Table
Merrill Lynch – ½ payment for Imagine! Celebration Silver Sponsorship
Lonnie Nixon & Rebecca Turnbull – Imagine! Celebration Table

Associate ($500-$999)
Krische Construction – Imagine! Celebration Donation for Charles Family SmartHome

Supporter ($250-$499)
Greenhouse Partners – 4 Imagine! Celebration Tickets

Friend ($1-$249)
Richard Ackerman – For Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome
Anonymous
Whitney P. Blair PC – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
Wendy Blakemore – Imagine! Celebration Ticket
David & Kathy Brinton – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
Scott & Virginia Brown – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
Kory & Kim Cash – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
Joel & Linda Champion – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
Tom Cobb & Mary Blue – Imagine! Celebration Donation
Crossroads School (Beth Bulthuis) – Imagine! Celebration Ticket
Mark Emery – Imagine! Celebration Ticket for spouse
Hays Companies – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
Jim & Virginia Holmes – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
IBM Employee Payroll Deduction Gift
InJoy Productions, Inc.
Jung & Associates – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
Jim & Linda Karagas – Imagine! Celebration Donation
Kathryn Medina
MGM & United Artists Services Company – Residuals from Billy Montgomery’s acting in “Rain Man
Patricia Mullane
Greg Wellems – Imagine! Celebration Ticket for spouse

Imagine! Celebration Silent Auction Items
Arapahoe Basin – Two lift tickets -- $148
Ascent Sports Management – 2 Broncos tickets - $250
Baskin Robbins – Certificate for Ice Cream Cake - $30
Alonzo Clemons – Two Sculptures
Colorado Rockies Baseball – 4 outfield box seats -- $156
Colorado Trout Group – Full Day guided fly fishing for two -- $300
Fantasy Orchids – Gift Certificate -- $30
Granby Ranch – Two twosomes of golf -- $360
RJ & Pauline Higgins -- 4 night stay in Estes Park Cabin -- $450
Indulge Bakery – Dessert every month for a year -- $312
Melting Pot -- $50 Gift Certificate and Basket -- $100
Monarch Mountain – Two lift tickets -- $114
Omni Interlocken Resort – One night w/breakfast and 18 holes of golf for two -- $450
Options in Design – Cashmere wrap, silver clutch purse -- $284
Plaza Hotel Longmont -- overnight and dinner for two -- $169
Pro Sports Authentics PSA – Framed Signed John Elway Poster -- $300
Seth Ellis Chocolatier - Truffles & Suncups -- $90
Vitamin Cottage – Gift Card -- $25
What’s Cooking – Italian Gift Basket -- $55
As always, we are so grateful to all of our generous donors.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Imagine! Celebration Sponsors

The 2012 Imagine! Celebration is only days away! Today we’d like to give a big shout out to all of the Gold, Silver, and Table sponsors of the event.

These generous donors have contributed $110,625 to the event!




Thursday, January 19, 2012

Thank You Thursday!

Generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation this week include:

Silver ($2,500-$4,999)
Susan White

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Land Title Guarantee Company 
Louisville Auto Supply/NAPA Auto Parts 

Supporter ($250-$499)
Chris Mirto and 3 guests (PEH Architects) – Celebration Tickets

Friend ($1-$249)
Richard Ackerman
Bob & Diane Carroll – Celebration Tickets
Frank & Deb Drexel (CivilArts) – Celebration Tickets
Don & Anita Fort – Celebration Tickets
Martin Gravel & Michele Morin – Celebration Tickets
Jeanette Hansen
Tom & Beth Huffman – Celebration Tickets
Tim & Samantha Jenkins – Celebration Tickets
Cary & Cathy Juvonen – Celebration Tickets
Jennifer Kirbury
Tim & Kristina Lofing (InspirationField) – Celebration Tickets
Walter Logue & Anahid Katchian – Celebration Tickets
Julie Maguire
Joan Martin
Tom & Pat Metz – Bob Charles
Joy Pak & Alexis Rhyner (Dairy Center for the Performing Arts) – Celebration Tickets
Lou & Mary Smario
David & Patti Micklin – Celebration Tickets
Jim & Sue Rector
Namaste Solar – Celebration Tickets
Ron Sandgrund & Cheryl Barr
Dan and Sandra Stevens
John & Barbara Taylor – Celebration Tickets

Imagine! Celebration Silent Auction Items
Omni Interlocken Resort -- One night stay with b-fast and 18 holes of golf for two -- $450
Seagate Technology – Two 1-terabyte external hard drives valued at $130.00 ea. -- $260

Other In-Kind
Ann Arnette – children’s clothing and toys
Neill & Judy Bicknell – Mitsubishi 65” projection TV and wall unit
Greg & Pam Felderman – childrens’s clothing, blankets, toys
Will & Darby Pettit – children’s toys

As always, we offer our sincere thanks to all of our generous donors.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Bid Online For Imagine! Celebration Auction Items

The 11th Annual Imagine! Celebration and Dinner and Auction is fast approaching! The date is set for January 27, 5:30 -9:30 PM, at the Plaza Hotel Longmont.

If you are interested in attending, you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Even if you can’t attend in person, you can still participate in the Imagine! Celebration’s
Live Auction through proxy bidding online. Online bids will be accepted through Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Click here to take part in the online bidding. 

There are some great items available in the online bidding, including:


Wine-A-Month Special Selection
You will benefit as Liquor Mart’s Fine Wine Manager personally selects one bottle of wine each month for one year for top-notch value and quality. 12 bottle total. Expires 1/31/2013.


Bountiful Barbecue
Round up your friends for a West End Tavern market style BBQ for 20 people with Colorado's best beef brisket, slab of pork ribs, whole chicken, hot links, pork shoulder, and choice of sides. Redeemable at West End Tavern or delivered to you.


California Wine Tour
Delight in the La Bellasera luxury hotel in Paso Robles, CA where 80 world class wineries are within ten miles. Includes one room for two people for two nights, a two-day car rental, and $250 in air fare credit. Restrictions apply, and space is subject to availability. Expires 10/31/2013.


Leona's Luscious Baked Bread
Enjoy a delicious, freshly baked loaf of bread each month for a year made by renowned bread maker, 1997 Colorado Mother of the Year, former Longmont Mayor, and former Imagine! Foundation President Leona Stoecker. Delivery details to be arranged with Leona.
Donor: Leona Stoecker


African Photo Safari
This unforgettable adventure starts with six days and six nights for two people at a Zulu Nyala Lodge located in South Africa’s province KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast of South Africa. Your stay will include authentic African meals and two guided photo safaris per day. You will be situated in the heart of one of South Africa’s most diverse conservation regions nestled between the great Hluhluwe, Mkuze, and St. Lucia Reserves. It is home to many animals including elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard. This is a birder’s paradise and for those who love plants, the trees are especially rewarding. This beautiful site was also the location for the filming of “I Dreamed of Africa." You are sure to make memories to last a lifetime!


Spectacular Ouray
Get away for a one week stay in beautiful Ouray, Colorado. This lovely three bedroom home accommodates six people comfortably with 2200 sq. ft. and 2-1/2 baths. The home is in a very secluded area but conveniently located north of Ouray, only five minutes to the hot springs pool and downtown Ouray and less than an hour to the gondola at Telluride. You will also receive up to 10 passes to the Ouray Hot Springs Pool which is open year round. No matter the season, you will find a plethora of activities and spectacular views with winter downhill and Nordic skiing, summer hiking and biking, cascading waterfalls, 4-wheeling, and so much more in the “Switzerland of America.” Home is available select weeks after May 1, 2012; arrange time with owner.
Donor: Jay & Kathy Montgomery


Cape Cod Getaway & Whale Watch
Relax for a full week in an authentic, remodeled Cape Cod house with room for six adults and two children. You will be five minutes from the ocean with beaches sure to please kids and adults alike. Included is an unforgettable three hour whale watching boat excursion for four. Sept. - Oct. 2013.
Donors: George & Kristin Karakehian


Avalanche Suite
Celebrate an Avalanche win in style with a luxurious Club Level Suite located on center ice to see the Colorado Avalanche battle the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, March 3 at 7:00p.m. You will receive 20 tickets, four Lot A - VIP parking passes, and two Premier Lot passes located adjacent to the arena. Your Suite tickets also give you access to the VIP entrances at the Pepsi Center 1 1/2 hours prior to your event. Extensive catering menu is available, though not a part of this package.


Gorgeous Greek Island Villa
Enjoy a magical week at a deluxe villa on Lefkas island off the west coast of Greece. Villa sleeps eight in four bedrooms with tennis courts, a pool, and breathtaking ocean views. Cross the swing bridge to the mainland or settle in at your villa and enjoy the island's many offerings including sailing, diving, windsurfing, exploring ancient archeological sites, or simply soaking up the sun. Redeemable in 2013, and timing is flexible but needs to be confirmed with owner.
Donor: The Palmos Family


Craft Beer Bonanza
Show your love of local craft beer with a package put together especially for you by Liquor Mart with hand selected gear, group tours, and gift certificates to your favorite local breweries. From Avery Brewery you will receive two 10 oz glasses, two Avery T-shirts, and a gift certificate for a brewery tour and beer for up to 10 people. Boulder Beer will outfit you with two pint glasses, two Boulder Beer T-shirts, and $50 in gift certificates. From Left Hand Brewing Company you will receive Beer For A Year including two pint glasses, a Left Hand/Mountainsmith sixer cooler, a growler jug, and a gift certificate to visit the tasting room once a month for a year to fill your new growler or half gallon jug. From Oskar Blues you will receive two pint glasses, two Oskar Blues T-shirts, and a $50 gift card. From Twisted Pine Brewery you will receive two pint glasses, two Twisted Pine T-shirts, and a $50 gift card. Top off your tour with a gift certificate to Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery for $100 and $25 to use at Old Chicago!
Donors: Local Craft Breweries and Liquor Mart


Rowdy Round-Up
Enjoy Steamboat Springs in the summer. Spend four nights in a Steamboat Springs condo while you get ready for the experience of a lifetime cattle drive (June 1 -Oct 15, 2012) for four or a Wagon Dinner Ride for four from Saddleback Ranch. Then cheer on the real cowboys and cowgirls with four tickets to the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series. Rodeo runs Friday and Saturday evenings from June 15 to August 18, 2012.
Donors: Dennis & Debra Paul


Family Reunion in Durango
Luxuriate for seven days in this beautiful Durango vacation home with six bedrooms, two lofts, and 4 ½ baths, easily accommodating up to 12 people. Every bedroom has vaulted ceilings, skylights, a small patio, and stunning views of the mountains. The kitchen features granite countertops and new appliances. Looking over the great room is a game loft with a large screen television and regulation size pool table. Expires 1/31/2013 with flexible dates arranged with owner as available.
Donors: Don Sullivan & Paige Lawrence

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Thank You Thursday!

This week’s roundup of generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation includes:

Gold ($5000-$9,999)
Flood and Peterson Insurance, Inc.

Silver ($2,500-$4,999)
Centennial Bank – Boulder 
Republic National Distributing Company

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Douglas Barnert
Rodger & Delia Creel
The Samuel Gary Jr. Foundation
Imagine! Employee Gifts for 2nd Quarter
Gary Klein
Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc. 
Tebo Development Company 
Walmart – Lafayette Store – Grant for Family Support Grants

Associate ($500-$999)
Citywide Banks
Chris Leh & Natalie Hanlon-Leh
Longmont St. Vrain Rotary Charity Fund, Inc. – Grant for Charles Family SmartHome 
Silver Fern Homes - $973 from Pay It Forward program (5% of year-long real estate commissions, with clients selecting local non-profits to receive donations)

Supporter ($250-$499)
Martin Birch

Friend ($1-$249)
Anonymous – Anonymous cash for Holiday Gifts - $40
Anonymous - $200
Dan & Judy Ault
Jay & Mary Balzer – Imagine! Celebration Tickets 
Joseph & Ann Boberschmidt
Claire Chetham
Kathleen Clemons
George & Margaret Cope
Nathan & Lillian Craze
Bob & Sandy Edson - Imagine! Celebration Tickets
David Edwards – Holiday Gifts
Brian Egaas & Korina Bersentes
Bruce Flynn & Stephanie Griffin
Mike & Joyce Frailey – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
David & Melinda Harrison
Tom & Beth Huffman
Mark & Amelia Keeth
Eldon & Pat Lindeman
Eric & Jennifer Love – Imagine! Celebration Tickets
Carol Lucas
Gerald & Patricia McNutt
Gary & Connie Nowlan
Dick Olson & Janice Keenan
William Shiovitz
Larry, Kathy & Eric Stevens
Jack & Sophie Walker

Imagine! Celebration Silent Auction Items
Baskin Robbins - Longmont – Ice Cream Cake -- $30
The Boulder Theater – Two Tickets -- $51.50
Brasserie Ten Ten – Gift Certificate - $50
Country in the Village – Dickens Cottage Series House -- $65
Court Street Antiques and Gifts – Turquoise Necklace/Bracelet -- $88
JJ Wells – Silver ring with stone -- $80
Pizzeria Locale – Gift Certificate - $75
Simply Bulk Market – Gift Certificate & Bag -- $27
Snooze – Coffee Mug & $25 Cert. -- $43
Tokyo Joe’s – Gift Card -- $35
Tutti – Gift Card -- $20
Roberta Wellems – Painting -- $350
YMCA of Boulder Valley – Annual Membership - $1050

Other In-Kind
Denver Boulder Couriers – One Courier Trip
As always, we offer our sincere thanks to all of our generous donors.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

GreenBack Program To Benefit Imagine!

The Imagine! Foundation has been chosen as the primary beneficiary of a new Colorado Daily Instant Savings Program called GreenBack Colorado. GreenBack is a completely new “reverse advertising” concept for businesses and individuals, which allows businesses to obtain advertising at no cost including radio, outdoor, and Facebook advertising.

Individuals save money through exclusive GreenBack offers that are available each and every day of the year. All offers may be used on multiple occasions. In turn, through card sales, GreenBack helps companies reduce advertising costs and increase traffic to their places of business. Rather than clipping coupons or having to remember to use time-limited discounts, individuals may use the personal GreenBack card to obtain special pricing at more than 100 locations in the area everyday. Businesses will include not just restaurants but also companies providing products or services in the areas of autos, chiropractic care, pets, bikes, day care, coffee, amusements, movies, flooring, furniture, bars, casinos, hair, nails, massage, fitness, and much more.

Each GreenBack card costs $40 for the year, with $5 being returned to the Imagine! Foundation. Once each business has reached its baseline for free advertising, GreenBack will donate $10 to Imagine! from every card sold.

GreenBack Colorado CEO Janice Charles says, “Our goal is to be Colorado’s Premier Savings Card Program, and we’re not going to stop until we reach that goal. We chose Imagine! as the primary recipient of our ‘GreenBack Gives Back’ philosophy because of the wonderful work it does in the community. This is a completely new concept in advertising, as everyone really does win – businesses, individuals, and the Imagine! Foundation.”

GreenBack will start by opening the new program to businesses that support Imagine!, as GreenBack is a semi-exclusive category program. “We believe it is important for us to initially contact businesses that donate to Imagine!, as they possess our passion for Imagine!,” said Charles.

For more information about becoming a GreenBack business or to obtain a card, please contact Janice Charles at 303-666-7725.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Thank You Thursday!

This week’s roundup of generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation includes:

Gold ($5000-$9,999)
Alex Johnson

Silver ($2,500-$4,999)
RNDC Foundation

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
George & Patrea Mah
Clark & Lynette McInroy
Bernie & Leona Stoecker
Van Winkle Associates

Associate ($500-$999)
Sargent Bickham Lagudis LLC
David & Marcia Wyatt

Supporter ($250-$499)
David Mudge
Lo Anne Zentner

Friend ($1-$249)
Betty Demianew
David Edwards – For Holiday Gifts
Martha Evans
George Karakehian for City Council – Remaining $155.85 (plus $1000 recorded previously)
Gregory Harris
Terry & Donna Jackson
Kho’s Asian Bistro 
Ashley Kretsch
Karen Louis
Jeffrey & Stephanie Lynch
Doc Nelson & Jeanie Valentine
Robin Nissen
Jacob & Sharon Pomerantz
Roy & Barbara Pringle
Henrietta Romero
Sakura Japanese Cuisine 
Bob & Sandra Spencer
Stephen & Sue Whitaker

Imagine! Celebration Silent Auction Items
Chipotle -- dinner for four -- $38
The Greenbriar Inn -- Champagne Brunch for Two -- $70
Kroenke Sports Enterprises -- autographed hockey puck ($50)
Monarch Mountain -- four lift tickets – $228

Other In-Kind
Cary & Debbie Graus
As always, thank you to all of our generous donors.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Family Thanks Imagine! with Embroidered Tablecloth


A family served by Imagine! recently expressed their gratitude for the Early Intervention services their children received by giving Imagine! an embroidered tablecloth that was handcrafted by the children’s grandmother. She had visited the family, and after seeing the progress the children had made after receiving Early Intervention services, she spent months making the embroidered tablecloth, which measures approximately 5 ½ feet X 4 ½ feet.