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:

• 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.

Colorado Gives Day Final Tally

What a difference tripling the Incentive Fund made this year for the Imagine! Foundation on Colorado Gives Day (Dec. 9). We received $1,040.00 from the $1 million Incentive Fund, bringing the total we received on this annual day of giving to $24,334.00.

Overall, Colorado donors once again demonstrated unprecedented generosity by giving $26.2 million to 1,677 nonprofits in just 24 hours on Colorado Gives Day. This record-breaking amount surpasses last year’s $20.5 million total. A record number of 107,862 donations were recorded, a jump from last year’s total of 88,571. Donations ranged from $10 to $300,000.

Thank you to our many friends who supported Imagine! and the many other worthy participating organizations, and thanks especially to Colorado Community First Foundation and 1stBank.

Wish List Wednesday

The Imagine! Foundation wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Imagine! Holiday Gift Giving Program – It’s A Wrap

Last week, Imagine! “wrapped” up its annual Holiday Gift Giving program, and once again, we were overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. Because of the many donations we received, 622 individuals served by Imagine! (515 children and 107 adults) received gifts that made their Holiday just a little bit brighter. In all, this year’s Gift Drive resulted in 925 gifts (and an additional $976 in cash donations allowing for the purchase of more gifts). Wow! We are so grateful.

We’d like to offer some shout outs to some local business and organizations who participated in this incredibly successful event.

The Boulder Group at Robert W. Baird & Co donated 192 gifts for adults and children as well as a $250 donation that was used toward the purchase of additional gifts

The Center for Spiritual Living Boulder Valley donated gifts for 30 children 

A group of grad students from the University of Colorado, Boulder donated $467 that they raised within the Chemical Engineering Department 

The Imagine! Board of Directors donated gifts for 20 children and adults

Lockheed Martin donated and delivered gifts and food to 10 families

Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Broomfield donated gifts for 210 children

Re/Max Alliance in Longmont donated 35 gifts for adults 

Seagate Technology donated gifts for 10 children 

Tebo Properties donated 194 gifts for children 
 
We’d also like to thank the many individuals (especially Imagine! employees) who donated gifts and helped deliver them.

Very special thanks go to Imagine!’s Volunteer Coordinator Elizabeth Hill for heading up this huge project. It isn't always easy, but the joy it brings is remarkable. Great work, Elizabeth!

Below are a few pictures from some of the events that brought in donations.

Gifts from The Boulder Group at Robert W. Baird & CO

Gifts from Re/Max Alliance

Gifts from Tebo Properties

Thank You, 1stBank Center

Today, we’d like to say thanks to 1stBank Center in Broomfield for donating a suite at their venue so individuals served by Imagine! could attend the “So You Think You Can Dance?” 2014 Dance Tour last week.

Residents from the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder went to the show, along with staff members from the home and from Imagine!'s CORE/Labor Source department, and had a blast!

Shannon Bundy, site supervisor at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, shared the photos below and told us: “It was so awesome to see how much John, Lana, and Mandy enjoyed this outing! John was dancing and laughing and cheering for the dancers. I have never seen Lana smile so big. And even though Mandy was not feeling very well, she enjoyed it and wanted to stay till the end. John says his favorite dancer was the ballerina.” 

Thank you, 1stBank Center, for making this magical evening a reality!

Ways To Give – Remember Imagine! In Your Will

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.

Want to leave a legacy? Join the Imagine! Promise by remembering Imagine! in your will, and we will add your name to the Imagine! Promise sculpture in the John M. Taylor Conference Center in Lafayette. Contact Patti Micklin at 303-926-6443 to get all the details.

Thank You Thursday

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

Cash Donations 

Gold ($5,000-$9,999) 
Colorado Business Bank – Imagine! Celebration Gold Sponsor

Silver ($2,500-$4,999)
EideBailly LLP – Imagine! Celebration Silver Sponsor

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Guaranty Bank and Trust – Imagine! Celebration Table Sponsor
Stewart Title Company – Imagine! Celebration Table Sponsor

Supporter ($250-$499)
The Philoptochos Society

Friend ($1-$249)
Jan and Ken Alford
Patricia and Kenneth Baker
Kathleen and Kurt O’Donnell
Mathias Thurmer
Sophie and Jack Walker

In-Kind Donations

In-Kind Friend ($1-$249)
Lafayette Florist – flowers for Innovations’ Fall Formal
Mendie Welu – table and chairs and water/sand toys for Dayspring

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:

• 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.

Colorado Gives Day Success!

Last Tuesday was Colorado Gives Day, and the Imagine! Foundation raised $23,745 from 130 donors during that day of giving! 

This year’s total was a 36% increase over last year’s, when we raised $17,425 from 91 donors.

In response to a thank you email to one of the Colorado Gives Day donors, we received this note:

I had been aware of Imagine! for years but didn't fully realize the scope of its services until this year. My grandson is receiving assistance from both an OT and a Speech Therapist through Imagine!. You cannot even imagine what a positive difference these people have made in the lives of my grandson, his parents, and other family members. Thank you so much for all that you do. 

The Imagine! Foundation wishes to thank all who donated and all who helped spread the word!

Ways To Give – Donate Your Old Car

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 that clunker taking valuable space in your garage? Donate your old car, truck or boat to Imagine! We partner with another nonprofit skilled in vehicle donations. They take the vehicle off your hands and handle the appraisal. Contact Patti Micklin at 303-926-6443 to get all the details.

Thank You Thursday

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

Cash Donations

Gold ($5,000-$9,999)
Laura and David Braddock - Imagine! Celebration Gold Sponsor
Centennial Bank - Imagine! Celebration Gold Sponsor
Betty Eldridge – Imagine! Celebration Gold Sponsor

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Leh Law Group, LLC – Imagine! Celebration Table Sponsor
Gayla and Pete Lindquist
Alex and Peter McNutt

Supporter ($250-$499)
Anne and Peter Carpenter
Robert Pelz

Friend ($1-$249)
Hal, Sherry and Annie Bruff
In Honor of Judy and Jeff Gass
  From Rachael Gass
Ian Davis
Helen and Martin Goldman
Ken Hackbarth
Chris and Robert Hannagan
IBM
Thomas Norton
Barbara Oviatt
Sharon and Dan Reese
Nancy and John Reilly
Caroline Siegfried
Marilyn and Remsen Voorhis
Renate and Bill Wood

In-Kind Donations

In-Kind Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Fisher Auto, Inc. – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item – 50 gift certificates for oil changes

In-Kind Supporter ($250-$499)
Nichol Chesser – breast pump

In-Kind Friend ($1-$249)
Denver Museum of Nature & Science – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item – Four admission tickets
Susan and Robert Gabriel – Holiday Gifts
Posh Splat – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item – Gift card for two painting classes
Renaissance Denver Hotel – Imagine! Celebration Auction Item – One night stay with breakfast for two

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to a special Holiday edition of Wish List Wednesday.

The Imagine! Gift Giving Program is underway! Each year, Imagine! collects gifts and donations to bring Holiday joy to children and adults who are most in need within Imagine! services. This year, the list has exceeded 600 individuals who are in need during the holidays - this is the biggest list we have received yet!

You will find gift collection boxes in the lobbies of Imagine!’s Dixon and Coal Creek buildings (click here for maps and directions). Donations will be accepted until December 16th. Pickups can be arranged for group donations.

Gift ideas include:

For Children ages 0-18 

• Educational Toys (Spanish or English) 
• Dolls and Accessories 
• Board Games 
• Books (Spanish or English) 
• Craft Sets 
• Ball Set or Nerf Set 
• Car or Truck Sets 
• Remote Control Car CD Player w/ Headphones 
• Legos 
• Art Supplies 
• Clothing Items (Hats, Scarves, Mittens, Gloves)
• Gift Cards 

Gifts For Adults 

• DVDs 
• CDs 
• Art and Craft Supplies 
• Body Lotion/Bath Sets 
• Hats, Scarves, Mittens, Gloves  

For questions, please contact Elizabeth Hill at ehill@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6460.

Thank you in advance for helping to make it a magical Holiday for individuals served by Imagine!.

Today Is Colorado Gives Day!

Today is the Fifth Annual Colorado Gives Day -- 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.

Click on this link to donate 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 today -- you'll support people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Boulder and Broomfield counties.

Thank You Thursday!

Recent generous donors to the Imagine! Foundation include:

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

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Judith Bea
Philadelphia Insurance Companies – Imagine! Celebration Table Sponsor
In Memory of Micheal Steven Raines
  From Muriel and Marion Raines

Associate ($500-$999)
Ja Elliott
Jennifer and Eric Love

Supporter ($250-$499)
Ball Corporation

Friend ($1-$249)
Kent Arnold
Chia Chang
Fran Dugan
In Honor of Patti Micklin
  From Judy and Jeff Gass
Diane and Bob Greenlee
Don Humphrey
IBM
Linda and Jim Karagas
Roy Krughoff
Barbara and Robert Leutwiler
Joy Linfield
Lou and Gary McClelland
Athena and Gary Mills
Doc Nelson and Jeanie Valentine
Cassandra Radcliffe
Sue and Jim Rector
Maria and Art Richmond

As always, we thank all of our generous donors. 

Wish List Wednesday

Welcome to a special Holiday edition of Wish List Wednesday.

The Imagine! Gift Giving Program is underway! Each year, Imagine! collects gifts and donations to bring Holiday joy to children and adults who are most in need within Imagine! services. This year, the list has exceeded 600 individuals who are in need during the holidays - this is the biggest list we have received yet!

You will find gift collection boxes in the lobbies of Imagine!’s Dixon and Coal Creek buildings (click here for maps and directions). Donations will be accepted until December 16th. Pickups can be arranged for group donations.

Gift ideas include:

For Children ages 0-18 

• Educational Toys (Spanish or English) 
• Dolls and Accessories 
• Board Games 
• Books (Spanish or English) 
• Craft Sets 
• Ball Set or Nerf Set 
• Car or Truck Sets 
• Remote Control Car CD Player w/ Headphones 
• Legos 
• Art Supplies 
• Clothing Items (Hats, Scarves, Mittens, Gloves)
• Gift Cards 

Gifts For Adults 

• DVDs 
• CDs 
• Art and Craft Supplies 
• Body Lotion/Bath Sets 
• Hats, Scarves, Mittens, Gloves  

For questions, please contact Elizabeth Hill at ehill@imaginecolorado.org or 303-926-6460.

Thank you in advance for helping to make it a magical Holiday for individuals served by Imagine!.

A Very Zolo Thanksgiving

Today, we'd like to express our thanks to Dave Query, who once again treated Imagine! clients and their families to a traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving Day. This was the 11th year Query has hosted this event, and it was held at Dave’s Zolo Southwestern Grill in Boulder.

There were three seatings, and all three were filled to capacity!

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. Dave donated the makings for a delicious Zolo-style repast with all the trimmings, and the wait staff volunteered its time. There was no charge for the meal, and no tips were necessary.

The event was a blast. Here’s what Brent Bedard, Zolo’s Manager, had to say about the experience: “It was such a lovely day. There were so many volunteers coming from different places and I don't think we could have come up with a nicer crew of people to get the job done. There are so many fabulous memories and images in my head. It's all warm and fuzzy in my brain and my heart. The day felt like family, caring and all that is good in this world. Moms with babies in baby bjorns, kids working, smiles everywhere. Love, gratitude, and togetherness filled the room.”

Pictured below are Brent with Richard Ackerman, a member of the Imagine! Foundation Board of Directors, who volunteered at the event, Brent with Jen Soranson, Manager of Parties and Catering at Zolo, and baby Madeline, and Gerry, Susan, and Peter McNutt, shown enjoying their meal.

In addition to the meals, $461.25 was donated to the Imagine! Foundation by attendees and volunteers.

All in all, it was a fabulous day, and we are so appreciative of Dave, Brent, the Big Red F restaurants who pitched in to supply some of the food, the Zolo staff, and the volunteers. What a great example of community and something truly worth giving thanks for!