Support Imagine! This Father’s Day Through AmazonSmile

Father’s Day is just around the corner, and you can support Imagine! by doing your dad’s day shopping on Amazon through AmazonSmile.

Click on this link and you will be directed to great Father's Day gift ideas in support of Imagine! (a.k.a. Developmental Disabilities Center). Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Imagine!.

Thanks in advance for helping to support Imagine! while honoring dad.

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Gold ($5,000-$9,999)
Emerson Process Management - Imagine! Celebration Gold Sponsor
J.M McDonald Foundation - grant for new barrier-free lift for Innovations

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Louisville Elementary

Friend ($1-$249)
Amy Callahan
IBM
Level 3 Foundation, David Wier

As always, we thank all of our generous donors. 

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Furniture and Housing Needs for Imagine!’s Manhattan Group Home in Boulder 

• Non-fabric couch (6’), loveseat (5’), and chairs 
• Basketball goal 
• Picnic table 
• Two small raised garden beds (3 ft tall, 4 ft long, and 3 ft wide) for vegetable gardening 

Check out the entire Wish List here.

Cookbook Supports Imagine!'s Out & About Program

Imagine!’s Out & About department hosts a “Healthy Living” class which helps teach students about proper nutrition and good eating habits, and to help them to cook their own meals independently. The class has learned so much that they decided to make a cookbook – and you can have a copy, too! With delicious recipes such as “Syrup Pillows,” “Awakey Awakey Galore,” and “Torte Salate,” this cookbook will be sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

Even better, a portion of the proceeds go to support Out & About’s programs, which are designed to make a positive difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families by providing positive instruction and community-based services within a therapeutic framework.

The cookbooks start at $10 and can be purchased online. Order yours today!  

Thank You, Louisville Elementary School

Today, we’d like to offer our sincere thanks to the wonderful kids who attend Louisville Elementary School (LES).

Each year, students at LES select a non-profit organization to support, and this year they selected Imagine!. That support included a variety of small fundraisers for Imagine!, including a Car Wash they hosted last week.

Last Friday, the school invited Imagine! Foundation Executive Director Patti Micklin to the school to receive the proceeds from the various fundraisers and to thank the kids in person. She is pictured below with Louisville Elementary School Principal Jennifer Rocke and parent volunteer Trisha Thompson.

You can see that the children, their families, LES staff members, and the Louisville community were extremely generous with their support, and we couldn’t be more grateful. We are so fortunate to work in a community that continues to astound us with its generosity!

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Friend ($1-$249)
Kent Arnold

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Thank You, Safeway Foundation

Today we’d like to offer our sincere gratitude to the Safeway Foundation for its donation of $2,500 to Imagine!. The funds will be used to build upon Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source department’s use of iPads to support the employment goals of people who accept services from Imagine!.

How can iPads support employment? Check out the story below, about Kendra, who accepts services from Imagine!, to see one example.

A couple of years back, Kendra served an internship at Boulder Community Hospital. Like many of us, Kendra sometimes struggled to stay focused on her responsibilities. 

To overcome that challenge, Kendra was equipped with a smart tablet containing software providing task prompting for her job duties. When Kendra lost focus or was unsure of her next steps, the task prompter was right there to offer simple, step-by-step guidance through complex job activities. 

Using the task prompting system opened a new world of possibilities for Kendra. In years past, she would have required the constant attention of a job coach or a Direct Support Professional in order to maintain any kind of employment. The time and resources needed to support individuals with needs similar to Kendra’s would have likely been a barrier to her ever getting and keeping a job. Instead, through the use of a task prompter, she was able to become more independent and more capable of fulfilling her job responsibilities with a decreasing amount of supervision. 

Kendra's task prompter

Thank you, Safeway Foundation, for supporting your community and for helping to create more opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities to find meaningful employment.

Thank You, PricewaterhouseCoopers

On May 6, Kelly Emery (the daughter of Imagine! CEO Mark Emery) led a group of eight volunteers from PricewaterhouseCoopers in a volunteer project to support Imagine!’s Out & About program.

The group pulled weeds and prepared the community garden plots that will be used for Out & About’s “Plants and Plots” group. The Plants and Plots group will meet each Thursday this summer to grow and harvest their own vegetables and learn the ins and outs of working in a community garden. Megan Mckean, Out & About Therapeutic Specialist, said the group was, “fast-paced, motivated and fun to work with.”

Thank you, PricewaterhouseCoopers, for your support of your community and all of its citizens.

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Friend ($1-$249)
Jackie and Rick Nelson
Deb and Doug Sandersen

In-Kind Associate ($500-$999)
Sherri Lindemann - Pedalo for Dayspring

In-Kind Friend ($1-$249)
Lynn Henry - mini-fridge for Imagine!’s Coal Creek lactation space

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Furniture and Housing Needs for Imagine!’s Garden Place Home in Longmont 

• New area rug 4 x 3 
• Small book shelves 
• Several cushioned chairs for the “Book Nook” 
• Set of four kitchen chairs 
• New oven 
• New carpet for two bedrooms 
• New set of silverware and a new dish set

Elementary School Car Wash To Support Imagine!

With all the rain and snow we’ve had in Colorado recently, you probably haven’t had a chance to get your car clean and ready for the summer. Well, Thursday is your lucky day! Teachers, administrators, and students at Louisville Elementary School are hosting a Car Wash on Thursday, May 19th. Kindergarten to 5th grade students will be outside of the school from 8:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m. working hard to clean those cars! The school is suggesting a $5 donation per vehicle, and here’s the best part: a portion of the proceeds from the Car Wash will go to Imagine! to help support our mission of creating a world of opportunity for all abilities.

Please consider heading over to 400 Hutchinson Street in Louisville on Thursday to show your appreciation for some great kids who are working to make their community a better and more inclusive place.

Thanking Imagine! Foundation Donors

Every other year, the Imagine! Foundation’s major donors are invited to a celebration of all that their support has made possible.

In late April, we were honored to host the most recent celebration thanking our generous donor community. The event was a huge success. More than 100 guests were able to experience some hands-on technologies that have been developed to support individuals served by Imagine!. These technologies make it possible for people to live with greater independence, or just to have more fun every day (check out the short videos below to learn more about the technologies).


 
Can’t see the video? Click here. 

   
Can’t see the video? Click here. 

   
Can’t see the video? Click here. 

The evening also featured a presentation by Imagine!’s PR Director, Fred Hobbs, who showed guests the impact of their giving on all the services Imagine! provides. That impact is substantial. Our donors’ generosity touches the lives of thousands of people who live in Boulder and Broomfield Counties. Since the Imagine! Foundation started in 2000, donors have contributed more than $7 million, helping Imagine! create a world of opportunity for all abilities.

We cannot thank you enough!

Below are a few pictures from the event.

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Bronze ($1,000-2,499)
Combined Federal Campaign

Supporter ($250-$499)
Karen and Don Brown - Farm to Table dinner
Judy and Mark Emery
Merrill Lynch - partial Imagine! Celebration Silver Sponsor

Friend ($1-$249)
Anonymous
George Bach
Jean and Charlie Dinwiddie
Ken Hackbarth
Terry Vratny

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Personal Items for Those We Serve (Adults) in Our Residential Homes
Books – any kind, but especially books about animals and romance novels
Jigsaw puzzles of all levels of difficulty
Board games: Trouble, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Connect 4, Hi Ho Cherry O, Go Fish, Operation, Guess Who, Quirkie, matching games
Sports gear – especially New York Yankees
Sports posters
Latch hook kits
Music CDs – especially country
Make-up/cosmetics (perfume, light beige foundation, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick)
iPads; heavy duty iPad covers
Rockies tickets for groups
Arts and craft supplies OR gift certificates to Michaels’ or Hobby Lobby
Computer games
Essential Tremor adaptive utensils, clothing, computer aids, writing devices, etc. for individuals with hand tremors (http://essentialtremor.org/treatments/assistive-devices/)
Games/activities made especially for those with Alzheimer’s/dementia
Recreation center passes or punch cards
Gift Cards to educational stores: www.beyondtheblackboard.com; www.lakeshorelearning.com; www.reallygoodstuff.com; www.educatorsoutlet.com; www.banksschoolsupply.com
DVD player
Stationary bike

Personal items for Those We Serve (Children) in Foster Care and Early Intervention Services
Backpacks, toys, and birthday presents for children in foster care
Welcome bags for children entering a new foster care placement (blankets, PJs, stuffed animals, etc.)
iPads; heavy duty iPad covers

Furniture and Housing Needs for Imagine! Residential Homes

Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont
Dining table and chairs for eight

Garden Place in Longmont
New area rug 4 x 3
Small book shelves
Several cushioned chairs for the “Book Nook”
Set of four kitchen chairs
New oven
New carpet for two bedrooms
New set of silverware and a new dish set

Manhattan Group Home in Boulder
Non-fabric couch (6’), loveseat (5’), and chairs
Basketball goal
Picnic table
Two small raised garden beds (3 ft tall, 4 ft long, and 3 ft wide) for vegetable gardening

Santa Fe Group Home in Broomfield
Winter holiday decorations: a very large tree, a star or angel to put on top, many lights, boughs of holly, ornaments, statue types of decorations that can be placed on tables or mantles (no candles or candle holders), a wreath
Dart board
Puzzle glue
Bread machine
Clip on umbrellas for wheelchairs
Canisters for storing
Placemats
Electric carving knife
Standing Mixer

All
American Furniture Warehouse gift certificates for upgrades to furniture in several homes

Program Needs

Out & About
Two camping Lanterns for Catalog evening activities

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Silver ($2,500-$4,999)
Knights of Columbus, Lafayette Chapter - for Dayspring Calendar of Community Activities

Supporter ($250-$499)
Linda and Walt Pounds
Twisted Pine Brewing Company

Friend ($1-$249)
Catherine Bailey
Laura Ball
Lisa Bargatze
Michelle Bell
Wendy Breitenfeld
Rick Brown
Shannon Bundy

Alicia Burdick
Jennifer Carr
Carol Chesser
Belinda Chirinos
Elena Ciaravino
Karen Collins
Michelle Conkey
Mark Emery
Tina Fisbeck
Susan Gabriel
Jessica Gaylord
Dominique Guillen
Jasmine Hammond
Kevin Harding
Lori Havatian
Martha Heimbaugh
Elizabeth Hill
Fred Hobbs
Karen Kalis
Eva Klemens
Maria Klickna
Gabriel Krush
Violet Lehman
Richard Lowe
Stephanie MacAlpine
Colette Marie
Issabella Marquez-Vigil
Jacob Martinez
Megan McKean
Patti Micklin
Andorra Morgan
Cynthia Navarrette
John Nevins
Rebecca Novinger
Robin Phillips
Carla Rapp
Elizabeth Reed
Laurel Rochester
Heather Sabo
Jenna Sallee
Gail Scott
Patti Showman
Caroline Siegfried
Mary Simonson
Erica Stamm
Victoria Thorne
Tienken & Associates
Zoshia Tracey
Chantelle Tweten Crumbliss
Greg Wellems
Tim West Heiss
Thelma Whitaker
Sterling Wind
Jamie Zimenoff

In-Kind Friend ($1-$249)
Core Wisdom - rejuvenation yoga for Out & About TGIS program

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Items under $50 

• Books – any kind, but especially books about animals and romance novels 
• Jigsaw puzzles of all levels of difficulty 
• Board games: Trouble, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Connect 4, Hi Ho Cherry O, Go Fish, Operation, Guess Who, Quirkie, matching games 
• Sports posters 
• Latch hook kits 
• Music CDs – especially country 
• Make-up/cosmetics (perfume, light beige foundation, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick) 
• Toys and birthday presents for children in foster care 
• Garden supplies and plants 
• Dart board 
• Puzzle glue 
• Camping lantern 

Check out the entire Wish List here. 

Thank You, SmartHome Volunteers

The Bob and Judy Charles Smart Home has some fantastic volunteers that we would like to recognize. They make it possible for the residents to participate in a variety of activities during the week, and the residents look forward to these opportunities.

On Mondays, volunteers Dana Taylor and Courtney Russel alternate weeks doing arts and crafts and physical activities with the residents. Dana enjoys talking walks with Lana and John, and they both bring craft ideas to do with the residents. During the holidays, visitors enjoy seeing all the cute holiday decorations that Dana and Courtney made with the individuals we serve!

On Tuesdays, it’s board game time with the Rusk family. In addition to the games they play with the residents, they bring much laughter and fun to the individuals we serve. They also speak Spanish, Johnny has another opportunity to work on his communication. Not long ago, the Rusks facilitated a Karaoke Night, and everyone had a blast singing and dancing together.

The Rusk Family volunteering at Imagine!'s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome

On Wednesdays, Soumya helps with technology in the home. She focuses her efforts on helping the residents stay up to date with their budgeting ledgers on their computers. The residents always ask when she is coming back so they can have her help them. She is helping Mandy with her specific tech goals of learning how to check her PayPal account and other internet sites. Soumya has also been helping Mandy use her iPad more and show her all the cool things she can do on it.

On Thursdays, Nicole and her therapy dog, Piper, are a favorite in the home. All the individuals love having Piper over and give her treats. Johnny especially gets a big smile on his face when Piper is around. He loves petting her for long periods of time and joking around with her pretending to give her treats. Rebecca loves teaching Piper new tricks and rewarding her with treats!

Nicole, Piper, and John

Johnny gives Piper a well deserved belly rub

On Fridays, Paul brings his music to the home. He is still new to volunteering, but John has taken a liking to him. They both “jam” together -- Paul plays his guitar while John plays his keyboard. SmartHome staff members were impressed to see that John already knows how to play a lot of the songs in Paul’s music book.

We are extremely grateful for the volunteers who are “regulars” at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome. If you would like to explore volunteer opportunities with Imagine!, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Elizabeth Hill.

Thank You, Boulder County Public Health

At Tuesday evening’s Imagine! Board of Directors meeting, Linda Kopecky, Breastfeeding Friendly Environments Project Coordinator, Boulder County Public Health, presented Karen Kalis, Imagine!’s Director of Human Resources, with a certificate designating Imagine! as a Breastfeeding Friendly Company.

The designation comes a few months after Imagine! was awarded a $1,000 grant from Boulder County Public Health to help us create a safe and comfortable lactation space at our Dixon St. office building, as well as assisting in equipping the room. Imagine! was the first recipient of this grant funding in Boulder County!

To learn more about the Boulder County Public Health grant, click here.

Thank you, Boulder County Public Health, for giving us this designation, but more importantly, for giving us the opportunity to support the new mothers in our workforce!

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Program Needs 

Out & About 
Two camping Lanterns for Catalog evening activities

Case Management
Extermination services for a family receiving services from Imagine!

Check out the entire Wish List here. 

Thank You, Lafayette Knights of Columbus

Last night, the Knights of Columbus Council 05237 from Lafayette presented a check for $3,000 to help support Imagine!’s Dayspring Community Calendar Activities. Imagine!’s Dayspring Director was on hand to receive the check, along with some good friends of the Knights.

Dayspring’s Community Calendar Activities (CCA) program brings children aged 0-3 with developmental disabilities and delays (and their families) into community facilities such as recreation centers, dance studios, and children’s museums for group play, educational opportunities, and fitness activities with the support of an Imagine! Pediatric Occupational Therapist and an Early Childhood Special Educator. Each session is geared toward encouraging motor, sensory, social, emotional, cognitive, and/or speech and language development. As the Therapist and Educator assist the children, they model for parents the behaviors that encourage and support each child’s individual development in a community play setting. CCA helps build the confidence of parents as their children participate in activities in the community, while empowering community businesses and nonprofits to feel comfortable about welcoming children with special needs.

We are so thankful for the Lafayette Knights for their longtime support of this vital program. It is great to live in a community with such good Knights!

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Gold ($5,000-$9,999)
Mutual of America - Imagine! Celebration Gold Sponsor

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
In memory of Billy Montgomery
  Suzie and Terry Lavelle

Supporter ($250-$499)
Combined Federal Campaign

Friend ($1-$249)
Ken Hackbarth
IBM
Deb and Doug Sandersen

In-Kind Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Boulder County Public Health - nursing equipment and supplies for employees

As always, we thank all of our generous donors. 

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Furniture and Housing Needs for Imagine! Residential Homes

Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder

• Recliners (electric and manual) 

Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont 

• Dining table and chairs for 8 

Garden Place in Longmont

• New area rug 4 x 3 
• Small book shelves 
• Several cushioned chairs for the “Book Nook” 
• Set of four kitchen chairs 
• New oven 
• New carpet for two bedrooms 
• New set of silverware and a new dish set 

Manhattan Group Home in Boulder

• Non-fabric couch (6’), loveseat (5’), and chairs 
• Basketball goal 
• Picnic table 
• Two small raised garden beds (3 ft tall, 4 ft long, and 3 ft wide) for vegetable gardening 

Santa Fe Group Home in Broomfield

• Dart board 
• Puzzle glue 
• Bread machine 
• Clip on umbrellas for wheelchairs 
• Canisters for storing Placemats 
• Electric carving knife 
• Standing Mixer 

All Homes

• American Furniture Warehouse gift certificates for upgrades to furniture in several homes 

Check out the entire Wish List here. 

Interview With Patti Micklin

Below, you will find an informative video featuring an interview with Patti Micklin, Executive Director of the Imagine! Foundation. The interview was conducted by Richard Ackerman, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Many thanks to Richard and our good friends at RE/MAX of Boulder for creating this video and helping us share our mission.

Can’t see the video? Click here. 

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Silver ($2,500-$4,999)
PDC Pharmacy - Imagine! Celebration Silver Sponsor

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Mentor Graphics Foundation - grant for Case Management Emergency Funds

Friend ($1-$249)
Vicki Peluse

In-Kind Friend ($1-$249)
Main Street Mat - entrance mat for Innovations

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Personal items for Those We Serve (Children) in Foster Care and Early Intervention Services

• Backpacks, toys, and birthday presents for children in foster care 
• Welcome bags for children entering a new foster care placement (blankets, PJs, stuffed animals, etc.) 
• iPads; heavy duty iPad covers 

Check out the entire Wish List here. 

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Longmont Community Foundation - grant to support people we serve in Longmont

Friend ($1-$249)
Thelma Whitaker

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Personal Items for Those We Serve (Adults) in Our Residential Homes 

• Books – any kind, but especially books about animals and romance novels 
• Jigsaw puzzles of all levels of difficulty 
• Board games: Trouble, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Connect 4, Hi Ho Cherry O, Go Fish, Operation, Guess Who, Quirkie, matching games 
• Sports gear – especially New York Yankees 
• Sports posters 
• Latch hook kits 
• Music CDs – especially country 
• Make-up/cosmetics (perfume, light beige foundation, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick) 
• iPads; heavy duty iPad covers 
• Rockies tickets for groups 
• Arts and craft supplies OR gift certificates to Michaels’ or Hobby Lobby 
• Computer games 
• Essential Tremor adaptive utensils, clothing, computer aids, writing devices, etc. for individuals with hand tremors (http://essentialtremor.org/treatments/assistive-devices/) 
• Games/activities made especially for those with Alzheimer’s/dementia 
• Recreation center passes or punch cards 
• Gift Cards to educational stores: www.beyondtheblackboard.com; www.lakeshorelearning.com; www.reallygoodstuff.com; www.educatorsoutlet.com; www.banksschoolsupply.com 
• DVD player 

Check out the entire Wish List here.

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Gold ($5,000-$9,999)
Boulder Community Health - Imagine! Celebration Gold Sponsor
Wells Fargo

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
EKS&H - Imagine! Celebration Table Sponsor

Supporter ($250-$499)
Home State Bank

Friend ($1-$249)
MGM & United Artists
Deb and Doug Sandersen
Melissa and Charles Wood

In-Kind Associate ($500-$999)
Dr. Jeff Kupfer - computer and peripherals

As always, we thank all of our generous donors. 

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Personal Items for Those We Serve (Adults) in Our Residential Homes
Books – any kind, but especially books about animals and romance novels
Jigsaw puzzles of all levels of difficulty
Board games: Trouble, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Connect 4, Hi Ho Cherry O, Go Fish, Operation, Guess Who, Quirkie, matching games
Sports gear – especially New York Yankees
Sports posters
Latch hook kits
Music CDs – especially country
Make-up/cosmetics (perfume, light beige foundation, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick)
iPads; heavy duty iPad covers
Rockies tickets for groups
Arts and craft supplies OR gift certificates to Michaels’ or Hobby Lobby
Computer games
Essential Tremor adaptive utensils, clothing, computer aids, writing devices, etc. for individuals with hand tremors (http://essentialtremor.org/treatments/assistive-devices/)
Games/activities made especially for those with Alzheimer’s/dementia
Recreation center passes or punch cards
Gift Cards to educational stores: www.beyondtheblackboard.com; www.lakeshorelearning.com; www.reallygoodstuff.com; www.educatorsoutlet.com; www.banksschoolsupply.com
DVD player
Stationary bike

Personal items for Those We Serve (Children) in Foster Care and Early Intervention Services
Backpacks, toys, and birthday presents for children in foster care
Welcome bags for children entering a new foster care placement (blankets, PJs, stuffed animals, etc.)
iPads; heavy duty iPad covers

Furniture and Housing Needs for Imagine! Residential Homes

Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder
Recliners (electric and manual)

Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont
Dining table and chairs for eight

Garden Place in Longmont
New area rug 4 x 3
Small book shelves
Several cushioned chairs for the “Book Nook”
Set of four kitchen chairs
New oven
New carpet for two bedrooms
New set of silverware and a new dish set

Manhattan Group Home in Boulder
Non-fabric couch (6’), loveseat (5’), and chairs
Basketball goal
Picnic table
Two small raised garden beds (3 ft tall, 4 ft long, and 3 ft wide) for vegetable gardening

Santa Fe Group Home in Broomfield
Winter holiday decorations: a very large tree, a star or angel to put on top, many lights, boughs of holly, ornaments, statue types of decorations that can be placed on tables or mantles (no candles or candle holders), a wreath
Dart board
Puzzle glue
Bread machine
Clip on umbrellas for wheelchairs
Canisters for storing
Placemats
Electric carving knife
Standing Mixer

All
American Furniture Warehouse gift certificates for upgrades to furniture in several homes

Program Needs

Out & About
Two camping Lanterns for Catalog evening activities

Introducing The Imagine! Foundation's New Mission Statement

Last week, we told you that Imagine!’s Board of Directors has approved a new mission statement for Imagine!:

Creating a world of opportunity for all abilities

Since the Imagine! Foundation’s mission statement is tied to Imagine!’s mission statement, we have updated our mission as well:

The Imagine! Foundation supports Imagine! in creating a world of opportunity for all abilities

Check out this video to learn more about Imagine!’s new mission statement:

 

Can’t see the video? Click here. 

Introducing Imagine!'s New Mission Statement

Imagine! has a new mission statement! The information below comes from Imagine! CEO Mark Emery’s blog:


Today, I’m very pleased to present Imagine!’s new mission statement:

Creating a world of opportunity for all abilities.

 
Check out the short video below, then feel free to read more below about how we arrived at the statement, and how we think it represents Imagine! now and moving forward.

 

Can’t see the video? Click here. 

More than two years ago, we determined it was time for a new mission. The old mission had served us well, but it no longer represented the current reality of Imagine!. We needed a mission that reflected some basic facts about Imagine!:

• We do not only serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD); 
• Our activities go beyond delivering and arranging direct services to people; 
• And most importantly, Imagine! is unique from other providers of service and other organizations who function as CCBs. Imagine! is recognized as a great provider, innovator, and a leader in the field at the local, state and national levels. What we do matters to people we will never even know. 

In addition, we wanted a mission that:

• Was short (7 or 8 words tops); 
• Used positive language; 
• Was clear, memorable, and concise; 
• And perhaps most importantly, the new mission would not merely be a statement of what we do. Instead we wanted something that would serve as a unifying focal point of effort for all Imagine! stakeholders. We wanted it to be an audacious goal we could measure ourselves against. It doesn’t mean the goal would necessarily be a sure bet ... but it is one that we as an organization believe we can do anyway. 

So we gathered a team, including staff members and members of our Board of Directors, to create a new mission using this challenge as a jumping off point: Describe a world unaffected by cognitive disabilities, followed by, Is what you do every day contributing to this described world? In the end, we wanted a mission that indicates that everything we are doing, directly or indirectly, is creating this world.

After much brainstorming, engaging employees at all levels, conducting surveys on various mission statement options, we feel like we have come up with one that satisfies all of the criteria above. It is memorable and it is aspirational. It is a mission we believe that everyone associated with Imagine! can point to and say, “Yes, I believe in that, I can get behind that, and I can use that as something to strive for and look to in guiding my actions and where we all see our organization going in the future.”

My thanks to the many people who were involved in the process.

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Friend ($1-$249)
Lu Walters and Kent Arnold
Amy Callahan
East Boulder Optimist Club
IBM

In-Kind Gold ($5,000-$9,999)
Qualcomm - furniture for CORE/Labor Source

In-Kind Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Thomas O'Neill - furniture and treadmill for Innovations

In-Kind Friend ($1-$249) 
Donna George - toys for Dayspring

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to Imagine! include:

Gold ($5,000-$9,999)
Linda and Dick Livingston

Silver ($2,500-$4,999)
Walter Eberspacher

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Collins Foundation - grant for general program support
Gebhardt Automotive - Imagine! Celebration Table Sponsor
Stephen Tebo - Imagine! Celebration Silver Sponsor

Friend ($1-$249)
Vicki Peluse
The Philoptochos Society of Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Items under $50 

• Books – any kind, but especially books about animals and romance novels 
• Jigsaw puzzles of all levels of difficulty 
• Board games: Trouble, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Connect 4, Hi Ho Cherry O, Go Fish, Operation, Guess Who, Quirkie, matching games 
• Sports posters 
• Latch hook kits 
• Music CDs – especially country 
• Make-up/cosmetics (perfume, light beige foundation, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick) 
• Toys and birthday presents for children in foster care 
• Garden supplies and plants 
• Dart board 
• Puzzle glue 
• Camping lantern 

Check out the entire Wish List here. 

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Platinum ($10,000+)
Virginia Hill Foundation - grant for Dayspring Community Calendar Activities

Silver ($2,500-$4,999)
Anonymous (1)
Sunflower Bank - Imagine! Celebration Silver Sponsor

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Connie and Andy Minden - Imagine! Celebration Table Sponsor

Associate ($500-$999)
Jennifer Kingsbury
Carol Ann and John Mehaffy

Friend ($1-$249)
Carasolva
Ken Hackbarth
IBM
Sharon Reamer
Deb and Doug Sandersen
Carolyn and Marion Weygandt

In-Kind Gold ($5,000-$9,999)
Anonymous - Furniture and kitchenware for Innovations

In-Kind Friend ($1-$249)
Connie Menger - 2 wheelchairs and a stander

As always, we thank all of our generous donors. 

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Program Needs 

Out & About 
Two camping Lanterns for Catalog evening activities

Case Management
Bedbug extermination services for a family receiving services from Imagine!

Check out the entire Wish List here. 

Thank You, Virginia W. Hill Foundation

Today, we’d like to thank The Virginia W. Hill Foundation for its recent grant of $10,000 to support Imagine!’s Dayspring department’s Community Calendar Activities (CCA) program. We very much appreciate the Foundation’s support of this valuable extension of our early intervention services for young children with developmental disabilities or delays.

Through CCA, Imagine!’s early childhood special educators and pediatric occupational therapists work with babies and toddlers during group play and fitness activities in community settings, encouraging motor, sensory, social, emotional, cognitive, and speech and language development. CCA enhances the impact of direct therapies during a critical window in human development, thereby increasing the chances that these vulnerable children will “catch up” to their age peers. In addition, the program provides the children’s families both an introduction to appropriate activities in their communities and the confidence to access them independently.

Because no federal or state funds are available for CCA and it relies completely on community support, this generous grant is very important and much appreciated.

The Virginia W. Hill Foundation, managed by Wells Fargo, was established by the late Virginia Hill, a noted Denver philanthropist. Mrs. Hill was known in her lifetime for her charitable giving to better the lives of people living in the American West. She was, for example, a major donor in the early 1960's to the restoration of Ft. Laramie. In recent years, Mrs. Hill's Foundation has contributed significantly to improving the health—especially the mental health—of people living in the Denver Metropolitan area.

We are extremely grateful to The Virginia W. Hill Foundation’s continued support of young children and families in our community.

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Polk Family

Friend ($1-$249)
AmazonSmile Foundation
Anonymous - donations at Out & About Centre Stage production
Alice and Pete Madden

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to the latest edition of The Wish List. Included below are items that would augment and enhance Imagine! programs and services for the individuals we serve and would be much appreciated. If you are able to provide an item, please contact Patti Micklin at pmicklin@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6443. Pick-up for large items can be provided, and your contribution is tax deductible. If you prefer to provide a cash gift to be used for the purchase of one of the items below, that would also be most welcome. Please check out this blog every Wednesday to see new Wish List Items.

This week's Wish List:

Furniture and Housing Needs for Imagine! Residential Homes

Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder

• Recliners (electric and manual) 

Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont 

• Dining table and chairs for 8 

Garden Place in Longmont

• New area rug 4 x 3 
• Small book shelves 
• Several cushioned chairs for the “Book Nook” 
• Set of four kitchen chairs 
• New oven 
• New carpet for two bedrooms 
• New set of silverware and a new dish set 

Manhattan Group Home in Boulder

• Non-fabric couch (6’), loveseat (5’), and chairs 
• Basketball goal 
• Picnic table 
• Two small raised garden beds (3 ft tall, 4 ft long, and 3 ft wide) for vegetable gardening 

Santa Fe Group Home in Broomfield

• Dart board 
• Puzzle glue 
• Bread machine 
• Clip on umbrellas for wheelchairs 
• Canisters for storing Placemats 
• Electric carving knife 
• Standing Mixer 

All Homes

• American Furniture Warehouse gift certificates for upgrades to furniture in several homes 

Check out the entire Wish List here.