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.