Ways To Give - Support Imagine! Through AmazonSmile

Think of Imagine! when you are shopping today or throughout the Holiday season. When you do your Holiday shopping at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Imagine! (aka Developmental Disabilities Center).

Bookmark this link and support us every time you shop.

Thanks in advance!

Thank You Thursday!

Welcome to a special Thanksgiving version of “Thank You Thursday.” We’ve had some generous support around this special day, and would like to share our thanks to those who have helped out.

On Monday and Tuesday nights, a total of 25 volunteers (some of whom are pictured below) helped Imagine! deliver 50 Thanksgiving meals to individuals and families we serve who otherwise wouldn’t be able to enjoy a Holiday feast. The meals included a pre-cooked turkey, sides, pies, and sparkling cider. Deliveries went off without a hitch and families were so thankful for the support in time for Thanksgiving!

The meals were paid for through a crowdfunding campaign in which generous donors helped us meet our goal of $1K in less than three days! Donors to this campaign included: Leigh Thorpe, Rebecca Baumann Martinez, Susan Gabriel, Parker Brissette, Karen Kalis, Laura Ball, Mia Sanchez O’Dell, Katie Edwards, Carla Rapp, Christie Talkington, Patti Micklin, Fred Hobbs, Sterling Wind, Sharon Reamer, Cori Abate, Pat Hoffman, Jeanne Walsh, Caroline Siegfried, Eva Klemens, and Essie Siegfried. Below is the video produced for the fundraising campaign.



So on this day of thanks, we join John and Chris (pictured below, residents of Imagine!'s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome) in wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and in saying “thank you” to all the people who made this possible. We live in a great community.

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.

Today’s Wish List items:

• Recreation Center passes or punch cards for clients Games for the Next Step Group Home in Broomfield: Trouble, Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Connect 4, Hi Ho Cherry O, Go Fish, Operation, Guess Who, Quirkie, Matching Games, Puzzles of all levels of difficulty 
• A new set of silverware and a new dish set for Garden Place in Longmont 
• Non-fabric couch (6’), loveseat (5’), and chairs for Manhattan Apartments in Boulder 
• A new oven for Garden Place Home in Longmont 
• Games/activities made especially for those with Alzheimer’s/dementia for Foothills Group Home in Boulder 

Check out the entire Wish List here.

Harry The Bear Comes To Imagine!

Today we’d like to say “thanks” and offer a big bear hug to the good folks at the Millennium Harvest House Boulder for their donation of “Harry the Bear” to Imagine!.

In the picture below, Harry is flanked by Kate Bleakley, Director of Sales and Marketing at the Millennium Harvest House, on the left, and Elizabeth Hill, Imagine!’s Volunteer Coordinator, on the right. Harry will probably need to leave us soon as one of the gifts in Imagine!’s Holiday Gift Giving Drive, but for right now, he has quickly become adopted by the Imagine! staff as an unofficial mascot.

Thanks to the Millennium Harvest House Boulder for thinking of us, and thanks to Harry for making our day just a little more bear-able!

Ways To Give - Appreciated Stock

As you consider your year-end philanthropic decisions, we wanted to highlight some other ways to make an impact on Imagine!’s programs. It’s always important to consult your tax professional for expert advice.

Is your stock portfolio on the rise? A gift of appreciated stock held for more than a year allows the donor to receive a tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities, and eliminate any capital gains assessments on the future sale of the securities. Contact Patti Micklin at 303-926-6443 to get all the details.

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.

Today’s Wish List items:

• Charcoal Grill for the Next Step Group Home in Broomfield 
• Welcome bags for children with developmental disabilities entering a new foster care placement (blankets, PJs, stuffed animals, etc.) 
• iPads (many departments use these for clients ); heavy duty iPad covers 
• A set of four kitchen chairs for the Garden Place Home in Longmont 
• Arts and crafts baskets or gift certificates to Hobby Lobby/Michael’s for the Foothills Group Home in Boulder 
• Winter holiday decorations for the new Next Step Group Home in Broomfield:  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

Check out the entire Wish List here.

Supporting Imagine! Also Supports The Economy

Your generous support helps Imagine! and the individuals we serve thrive. But that support isn’t just good for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It’s also good for the economy!

The Human Services Alliance of Boulder County and the St. Vrain Community Council commissioned the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, Business Research Division, to conduct a study of the economic impact of Boulder County human services nonprofits on the Boulder County economy. The purpose of this study was to understand the quantitative impact, specifically, the amount of money these nonprofits contribute to the local economy.

Did you know that local nonprofits in Boulder County have a $254.8 Million economic impact on the community? 

 Learn more below (click on the image for a larger view).

Support Imagine! While You Shop This Holiday Season

The Holiday Season is upon us, which also means the shopping season is upon us.

Here’s a super easy way to bring in money to Imagine! every time you shop online at Amazon through the AmazonSmile program. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Imagine! (listed under our legal name as the Developmental Disabilities Center). AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. The Imagine! Foundation has already set up its account and received our first check for $10!

Just sign in to this link when you want to shop at Amazon and start earning money for Imagine!: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/84-0526620 

Once you have signed in, a percentage of all of your future purchases will automatically go to Imagine! unless you change your designation.

Thanks in advance for helping out!

Thank You Thursday!

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Cash Donations

Silver ($2,500-4,999)
Mark Zentner and Mary Dichtl, Imagine! Celebration Gold Sponsor (matched by Motorola)

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Carolyn and William Doying
Kathy and Jon Jones

Supporter ($250-$499)
KenEtta and Jimmy Fitzgerald-Duff

Friend ($1-$249)
Kelly and Bill Atteridg
Anne Arnold
In Honor of Patti Micklin
  Joel Ashner
In Honor of Ann Nutt
  Carolyn and Philip Auble
Janis Bohan
In Memory of LaNell Schwartz
  Linda Caldwell
Debra and Jay Flora
Kaye and Michael Forsythe
Gretchen and Vic Fruehauf
Ken Hackbarth
Greg Harris and Ms. Sara Lawrence
IBM
Mary Joy Linfield
Frances McCarty
Pat and Tom Metz
Shirley Morck
Jackie Ramaley
Jeanne and Mike Schmid
Renata and John Smathers
Bev and Lee Springer
Shirley and Donald Stanosheck
Linda Stinson
Steven Turley
Donna Wolford

In-Kind Donations

In-Kind Associate ($1,000-$2,499)
Stephanie Griffin and Bruce Flynn – Triad Tracker three-wheeled bike

In-Kind Supporter ($250-$499)
Denver Broncos – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: Demaryius Thomas autographed Denver Broncos football helmet
Isle Casino Hotel – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: one night stay in a Mini Suite & $100 gift certificate to Farraddays
Lake Valley Golf Club – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: 2 golf for two with a cart certificates

In-Kind Friend ($1-$249)
Bhakti Chai – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: Bhakti Chai package
Brewers Association – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: two tickets to the 2015 Great American Beer Festival
Carlson & Carlson Sprinklers, LLC – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: spring sprinkler turn on & fall sprinkler blow-out
Colorado Athletic Club – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: one month membership
Colorado Music Festival & Center for Musical Arts – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: two tickets to a 2015 concert
Door to Door Organics – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: $75 gift certificate
Eight Days a Week Copy Center – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: $100 gift certificate
The Fox Hill Club – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: Foursome of golf
KONG Company – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: KONG dog toy basket and a KONG cat toy basket
Longmont Dairy Farm – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: $25 gift certificate
Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: $50 gift certificate
Peak Entertainment at 1STBANK Center – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: two tickets with VIP parking to a 1STBANK Center event
Tinker Art Studio – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: two hours of Open Studio time
Nancy Weeks – two weighted vests

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.

Today’s Wish List items:

• New dining room set that will serve eight for the Foothills Group Home in Boulder 
• Essential Tremor adaptive utensils, clothing, computer aids, writing devices, etc. for individuals with hand tremors at the Foothills Group Home in Boulder (http://essentialtremor.org/treatments/assistive-devices/) 
• New carpet for two bedrooms at Garden Place in Longmont 
• New barrier free lifts for moving individuals from wheelchair to bed or bath (being safer for clients and for staff) at the 19th Street Group Home in Boulder (we received a $200 donation towards these $3,000 units!) 
• American Furniture Warehouse gift certificates for upgrades in furniture at Garden Place in Longmont, and at the Foothills Group Home and the Manhattan Group Home in Boulder 
• Two camping lanterns for Out & About Catalog evening activities 

Check out the entire Wish List here.

Dave Query Invites Imagine! Families To A Free Thanksgiving Dinner

Today, we’d like to offer our sincere thanks to Dave Query, who is once again treating Imagine! consumers and their families to a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27, 2014. This is the 11th year Query has hosted this event, which will again be at Zolo Southwestern Grill, 2525 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder.

There are three seatings, and all three have been filled up already!

Dave Query is the owner of Big Red F Restaurant Group, including restaurants Centro Latin Kitchen, Jax Fish House – Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins, Glendale, and Kansas City, LoLa Coastal Mexican, Post Brewing Company, West End Tavern, and Zolo Grill. Query is donating the makings for a delicious Zolo-style repast with all the trimmings, and the wait staff is volunteering its time. There is no charge for the meal, and no tips are necessary.

Thanks to Dave and the Zolo staff for making it a Thanksgiving to remember!

Schedule Your Colorado Gives Day Gift

The Fifth Annual Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, Dec. 9 -- a great day to "give where you live." Each nonprofit receiving a donation on this day receives a portion of an Incentive Fund. This year, the Incentive Fund has more than tripled to $1 Million! This means that Imagine! will receive a portion of this fund for every donation we receive, and will increase the impact of your generosity. Your gift will have a far-reaching impact on the clients we serve, and their families.

Avoid the virtual rush by scheduling your donation now. Your credit card will be charged on Colorado Gives Day (Dec. 9), and you'll ensure that Imagine! receives a share of the $1 Million Incentive Fund.

Help us reach $20,000 on Colorado Gives Day -- you'll support people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Boulder and Broomfield counties.

Thank you in advance!

Tickets For Imagine! Celebration Are On Sale!

The Imagine! Celebration, the annual fundraising event of the Imagine! Foundation, raises funds to support Imagine!’s programs, services, housing, and its two SmartHomes. It is scheduled for Friday, January 23, 2015 at the Plaza Convention Center in Longmont. The event includes a silent auction featuring more than 200 items, dinner, a live auction, and a special appeal (paddle raiser). More than 400 people attend the event each year. 

 Sponsorship opportunities are available at these levels: Platinum ($10,000) Gold ($5,000) Silver ($2,500) Tables of 10 may be purchased for $1,250, and tickets are $95/each. 

To buy tickets CLICK HERE.

For more details, contact Patti Micklin, 303-926-6443.

Thank You Thursday!

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

Cash Donations

Associate ($500-$999)
Colorado Events – Handmade in Colorado

Supporter ($250-$499) 
Jan and Paul Hoskins

Friend ($1-$249) 
Anonymous
Darline Brown
Elena and Ed Merchant
Pat and Gerald McNutt
Glennys and John McPhilimy
Michael Riedeman
Robert Risch
Sarah Rollins
Cheryl and Ron Sandgrund
Margaret Scripps
Connie Holden and T.K. Smith
Terry and Jim Vratny
Thelma Whitaker

In-Kind Donations

Silver ($2,500-4,999)
The Boulder Group at Baird – holiday gift items for Imagine! clients

In-Kind Associate ($500-$999)
Tamera and Cory Rowan – baby room furniture for Imagine!'s Early Intervention
Sage and Savory Catering – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: Hors d’oeuvres party for 10

In-Kind Supporter ($250-$499)
Dorcie Chesser – Six baby handmade quilts for Imagine!’s Early Intervention
Comedy Works – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: 10 Admit-Two-Free passes
Christina Marshall – La-Z-Boy recliner, door mats, end table and 2 chairs for Imagine!’s Innovations department
YMCA of Boulder Valley – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: one three-month family membership

In-Kind Friend ($1-$249)
Bob and Judy Charles – Arts and Crafts for the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome
JungleQuest – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: two JungleQuest certificates for 90 minutes of play time
Tara Cluck Dance Center – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: one month of dance class
Arvada Center for the Arts – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: two complimentary value tickets
Pedestrian Shops – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: a pair of Dansko Professional clogs
Lodge Casino Black Hawk – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: a one night stay and $50 at White Buffalo Grill
Colorado Ballet – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: two tickets to Peter and the Wolf
Blue Mountain Arts, Inc. – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: six vouchers to the Colorado Shakespeare Festival 
Golden Hotel – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item: one night's lodging in a deluxe room and breakfast for two in the Bridgewater Grill

 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.

Today’s Wish List items:

• For Garden Place in Longmont: new computer game; make up/cosmetics (perfume, foundation -light beige), eye shadow (taupe, browns), mascara, lipstick (any color); special soaps; books (any type, but books about animals appreciated); country music CDs; latch hook kits; romance novels; Jigsaw puzzles; sports gear (especially NY Yankees); sport posters; small book shelves; used/new area rug – around 4’ X 3’.; several cushioned chairs for the “Book Nook” area 
• Backpacks, toys, and birthday/holiday presents for children with developmental disabilities in foster care 
• iPads (many departments use these for clients ); heavy duty iPad covers 
• Gift Cards to educational stores: www.beyondtheblackboard.com; www.lakeshorelearning.com; www.reallygoodstuff.com; www.educatorsoutlet.com; www.banksschoolsupply.com 

Check out the entire Wish List here.

Support CU Students Supporting Imagine!

You may be aware of Imagine!’s ongoing collaboration with the University of Colorado Engineering School, where students create a variety of assistive technology projects for individuals served by Imagine!. (Haven't heard of it? Check out here, here, here, here, and here for just a few examples of projects).

Well, students this semester are at it again, and one group has taken their project to the next level. They have entered their project into an Elevations Credit Union contest, wherein Elevations is giving away up to $1,500 to help fund local projects that support the Boulder community. As they put it, Elevations wants to support “CU Buffs that are doing something awesome for their community.”

The winners of the funding are determined in part by an online vote on Facebook, and you can help. Click here and vote for “Electronic Color Organ Box.” You can vote once daily, and the contest runs through Friday, so don’t be shy – feel free to vote every day.

Here is how the students are describing their project and how they would use the funds:

Our awesome project is an electronic color organ box. A phone or music player is plugged into it, and six different boxes will light up based on the bass, mid, and treble sounds from the music. There will be two columns of boxes, the bottom two are the biggest and will light up the same color with the base. The middle two will light up a different color together with the mid frequencies. And the top two boxes will light up a third color with the high frequencies. There will be three different color schemes that the user can choose for the boxes to be through a remote. The remote will also be able to control the volume of the music and intensity of the light. This electronic color organ box will be put in Imagine!’s Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont, CO, which is a home for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We will use the money for electronic boards such as an arduino and spectrum shield. A spectrum shield breaks up the frequencies of the music. Also, we will buy nice acrylic to make the boxes and so the light will have a nice glow through it. We will buy LEDs for the colored light, an AC/DC cord, and miscellaneous things such as wires and screws. The money will definitely be put to good use! 

Thanks for helping out, and thanks especially to the CU students for adding their project to this contest!

Don’t forget to vote! 

Imagine! A Great Thanksgiving

Click here to make it a special Thanksgiving for people served by Imagine! 

This time of year can be especially difficult for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who often find themselves alone and isolated from their communities during the holidays, and unable to access Thanksgiving meals.

 
Can’t see the video? Click here. 

Imagine! has set a goal to reach out to these individuals and families who are most in need and isolated this Thanksgiving. Our goal is to reach 50 individuals and families by raising $1,000 that will go directly to purchasing meals to be delivered the week of Thanksgiving!

All donors will receive a note of thanks from Imagine! for helping us make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.

All donations will provide meals at Thanksgiving even if we are unable to reach the $1,000 goal.

Please click here to donate, and thanks for making Thanksgiving great for individuals served by Imagine!.