Thank You, Living Resources

Last week, Fred Erlich, CEO of Albany, New York-based Living Resources presented Imagine! CEO Mark Emery with checks totaling $1,200 to help Imagine! rebuild homes damaged by the recent flooding. The checks were collected from Living Resources staff members, and Fred was out in Colorado to attend a Technology Best Practices Provider meeting hosted by Imagine!, as well as the Coleman Institute for Cognitive Disabilities’ Annual National Conference. We offer our sincere gratitude to our New York friends and partners in using technology to improve the lives of individuals with a variety of disabilities.

Thank You St. Vrain Flooding Relief Fund

Today we’d like to offer a hearty “thank you” to the St. Vrain Flooding Relief Fund for providing Imagine! with a $10,000 grant to help Imagine! cover some of the extraordinary costs incurred during the flooding in our area last month.

The St. Vrain Flooding Relief Fund was established by the Longmont Community Foundation to provide financial resources to charitable organizations that are involved in the relief and rebuilding efforts in the St. Vrain Valley related to the September 2013 flood.

Imagine! will use the grant to help pay for flooring, drywall, and paint for our Garden Place home. Thank you for helping us to recover!

We still have a lot of costs as we rebuild! Are you interested in helping support Imagine! as we recover from the floods? Click here to learn how!

Declaration of the Rights of People with Cognitive Disabilities to Technology and Information Access

On Wednesday, several members of Imagine!'s Executive team participated in the Thirteenth Annual Coleman Institute National Conference on Cognitive Disability and Technology. The highlight of this event was the official unveiling of a Declaration on the Rights of People with Cognitive Disabilities to Technology and Information Access. The declaration is a statement of principles: the rights of ALL people to inclusion and choice in relation to technology and information access. You can see the declaration below (click on the image to enlarge it), or you can view the declaration and read more about its formation by clicking here.

David Braddock, professor of psychiatry and executive director of the Coleman Institute on Cognitive Disabilities at the University of Colorado, said, “The formal declaration is being presented at a time when the pace of the digital age is accelerating rapidly. Access to technology and information access is essential for community and social participation, employment, education, health, and general communication. Advocates for people with cognitive disabilities may use this declaration to stimulate greater attention nationally and worldwide to the possibilities now at hand for people with cognitive disabilities through technology while promoting their rights as citizens to access to it.”

This is a momentous time in the history of serving individuals with one or more cognitive disabilities. Technology is creating opportunities for community participation and enhanced quality of life in ways unthinkable just a few short years ago. But if the folks we serve can’t access this technology, those opportunities won’t add up to much. That is why this declaration is so important.

So today, we ask all of our Foundation friends to endorse this declaration. Let the world know that the community of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the organizations and caregivers who serve them are united in the belief that all individuals have a right to access comprehensible information and usable communication technologies to promote self-determination and engage meaningfully in major aspects of life.

Go here to endorse The Declaration.

Go here to read a Linguistically Accessible Version of The Declaration, as provided by The Arc.

Go here to read Frequently Asked Questions about The Declaration.

Thank You Thursday!

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

Cash Donations

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Imagine! Employees – For the 1st Quarter of FY2014, a total of $1,494 was donated to Imagine! from employee payroll deductions 

Associate ($500-$999)
In Honor of Joan Clexton
  From Miller & Steiert, PC – Flood Relief 
David Edwards – Flood Relief

Supporter ($250-$499)
Trent & Jennifer Gustafson – Flood Relief

Friend ($1-$249)
Anonymous (7) – Flood Relief
The Callahans – Flood Relief
Jerry & Carol Chesser – Flood Relief
Gary & Teresa Creech – Flood Relief
Mark & Judy Emery – Flood Relief
The Graylin Family – Flood Relief
Mary Hofheimer – Flood Relief
Anh-Hong Huynh – Flood Relief
Elizabeth Ostendorp – Flood Relief
Kathy Near – Flood Relief
Kurk Near – Flood Relief
Mark Perun – Flood Relief
Peter & Jamie Solveson – Flood Relief
Gary Stebick – Flood Relief
Laura Thompson – Flood Relief
Gordon & Kathleen Walters – Flood Relief
Ryan & Jodi Walters – Flood Relief
Dawn Wehking – Flood Relief
Mark, Katie, & Natalie Wilcox – Flood Relief
Wendy Willis – Flood Relief

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Thank You, Denver Metro Young Republicans!

Today, we’d like to offer our sincere thanks to Denver Metro Young Republicans, who are hosting a benefit for Imagine! flood relief October 16th at 6:00 PM, at Jackson’s in Denver.

Check out the flyer below for more details (click on the image to make it bigger).

Thank you Denver Metro Young Republicans – this is a fantastic idea and we are thrilled to have your support for our flood relief efforts!

Inspiration Field Inspires!

Today we offer our sincere thanks to the good people at Inspiration Field, which serves approximately 200 children and adults with developmental disabilities in the tri-county area of Otero, Bent, and Crowley Counties.

When they heard about the floods and the impact on folks served by Imagine!, staff members and clients jumped into action, collecting items including gently used, and new, clothing items that ranged from underwear to winter coats to pants to towels, several boxes of toiletries, new hoodies, shirts, goodie bags from Inspiration Field, and $300 in gift cards.

The pictures below show the items, and one shows Inspiration Field CEO Johnnie DeLeon, who drove all the way up from La Junta to deliver the goods this past Friday. Thanks to all at Inspiration Field, you truly inspire us!

 

Thank You Thursday!

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

Cash Donations

Platinum ($10,000+)
Pounds Family Foundation of the Community Foundation Serving Boulder County – for Innovations

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Bob & Judy Charles – Flood Relief
Northrop Grumman – Grant for Family Support Grants

Associate ($500-$999)
Oliver, Kate, Claire, and Nora Gerland – Flood Relief

Supporter ($250-$499)
Anonymous (1) – Flood Relief

Friend ($1-$249)
Anonymous (5) – Flood Relief
Bob & Claudia Beauprez – Flood Relief
Sean Bradley – Flood Relief
Ken & Kay Conger – Flood Relief
Amy Farnell – Flood Relief
Alisa Hake – Flood Relief
Fred Hobbs – Flood Relief
Candice Hopkins – Flood Relief
David, Karen, & Sam Kalis – Flood Relief
Dena Krenik – Flood Relief
Susan LaHoda – Flood Relief
In Memory of Mariann Lastoka
  From Debra Carpenter – Flood Relief
In Honor of Kyle Luxner
  From Bob and Joan Luxner – Flood Relief
From Mary Martella – Flood Relief
Andrea Martin – Flood Relief
Jim & Beth Mateyka – Flood Relief
In Honor of Woody Miller
From Debbie Stratton – Flood Relief
Randall & Sharaine Roberts – Flood Relief
Caroline Siegfried (Eva, Essie & Caroline) – Flood Relief
Sterling, Tiffany & Emma Sabine Wind – Flood Relief

In-Kind Donations

In-Kind Platinum ($10,000+)
ARC Thrift Stores, Lakewood, CO – 5000 vouchers for Imagine! clients

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Thank You, Northrop Grumman

At last night’s monthly Imagine! Board of Directors meeting, Ron Alford, Director of SES and Colorado Campuses of Northrop Grumman and a member of Imagine!’s Board of Directors, presented a grant award of $1,000 for Imagine!’s Family Support Grants Program to Imagine! Foundation Director Susan LaHoda.

Flood Update - Another Way To Help

Many people have offered to help in the aftermath of the floods, and we are so appreciative. We have set up a fundraising campaign to help offset at least some of the costs of gutting and rebuilding Imagine! sites.

Watch the short video below, and then please click here to donate.

Every little bit helps! Please share with anyone you think would be interested.



Can’t see the video? Click here.

Thank You Thursday!

Just because we’ve had some flooding, it doesn’t mean we can’t thank our recent generous donors. Here’s this week’s roundup of donors to the Imagine! Foundation:

Cash Donations

Associate ($500-$999)
Civil Arts 

Friend ($1-$249)
GAP Inc. – Match to gift from Vinnie Cervantes – For Family Services 

In-Kind Donations

Supporter ($250-$499)
Rick & Jackie Nelson – “Dr. Seuss, The Cat Behind the Hat: The Collector’s Edition” for the Imagine! Celebration Silent Auction

Friend ($1-$249)
Art & Marion Seder – Thai shawl and handbag for the Imagine! Celebration Silent Auction

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Flood Update - Ways You Can Help

There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from Imagine! employees, families and friends following the flooding last week. Imagine! is thankful for the support so far and for your support as we move forward.

After an assessment of needs, Imagine! has identified that our biggest area for recovery support will be at our residential sites. There are six homes that are seeking volunteer support to help restore the condition of the houses for the residents who live there. We have already started the process of debris removal and there is a great deal of work to be done! With that in mind, we are seeking individual and groups of volunteers who can assist with a variety projects now and in the foreseeable future.

We are currently seeking volunteers for the following tasks:

• debris and drywall removal
• hauling debris to the designated drop off points
• logistics support (supplies, safety, etc)

We will be sending out updates about the progress at each site and needs that still persist during our recovery.

In the upcoming weeks/months we will need skilled volunteers to assist with:

• hanging drywall
• drywall mudding/finish
• painting
• trim and finish work
• flooring/carpet

Imagine! needs volunteers everyday of the week between the hours of 10am-8pm (please note these times may vary based on supplies and supervision). Please consider getting involved for a couple hours or make an extended commitment by volunteering daily or weekly to volunteer as a site supervisor to assist and instruct incoming volunteers help with long term goals!

Requirements
All volunteers must be age 18 and over. For the safety of all team members, we ask that all volunteers come prepared with work boots and work gloves.
Needed tools on site include:

• hammers
• crowbars
• buckets
• shovels

***if you have the above items handy, please help our recovery by bringing your own tools.

If you or someone you know would like to volunteer to assist Imagine! during this time of recovery, please contact: Elizabeth Hill- ehill@imaginecolorado.org or at 303-926-6460.

Thank You Don and Karen Brown!

Don Brown

As you are probably aware, the recent floods in Boulder and Broomfield counties have severely impacted Imagine! and the people we serve.

The good news is that we have accounted for all clients and staff in our effected area. This includes those airlifted out of Lyons and Jamestown, those who are isolated in the mountains and safe, those dealing with their flooded homes, and those carrying the burden of care for many extended hours. The notice of the last unaccounted for employee came yesterday when we learned that she and her family were airlifted out of Lyons.

For more flood updates, check out Imagine! CEO Mark Emery’s blog. The best news from this difficult time is the way Imagine! staff, clients, and the community at large have rallied together to make sure everyone we serve is safe and sound.

You are encouraged to check out Imagine!’s Facebook page where we are sharing stories of the many heroes who are emerging during this crisis.

We wanted to use this space to offer our sincere thanks to Imagine! Foundation Board of Directors member Don Brown and his wife Karen. This selfless couple opened their home to house a displaced live-in from one of Imagine!’s homes damaged by flooding.

Thanks Don and Karen!

Thank You Thursday!

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

Cash Donations

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
100 Women Who Care: Lafayette, Louisville, Superior – For Out & About

Friend ($1-$249)
Anonymous (2) – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Michelle Dyson– Crowdfunding for Out & About
Stephanie Griffin – Crowdfunding for Out & About

In-Kind Donations

Associate ($500-$999)
Nuf Said Advertising – Web design consulting

Friend ($1-$249)
Denver Boulder Couriers – One courier trip
Qualcomm, Incorporated – 15 keyboard and mouse sets

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Garage Sale Good News

You may recall that a few weeks ago, residents of Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome hosted a garage sale. During the sale, Imagine! received a $100 check from David and Catherine Burchett. David said he lives close by and told the residents “he likes the way we keep our yard.” The residents of the SmartHome want to throw a party with the money earned from this garage sale and donation. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Burchett!

Thank You 100+ Women Who Care: Lafayette/Louisville/Superior

Thanks today to Tara Smith (l) and Cheryl Craig (r) for presenting Imagine!’s Out & About Director Colette Marie with checks totaling $2,400 to support O & A’s programs. Tara and Cheryl presented the money on behalf of 100+ Women Who Care: Lafayette/Louisville/Superior, a dynamic and inspired group of local women who are interested in making a meaningful impact right here in our local communities. Cheryl is the founder of the group, and Tara (whose daughter used to work for Out & About) recommended Out & About be the recipient of the funds.

Thank You Thursday!

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

Cash Donations

Bronze ($1,000-$2,499)
Philadelphia Insurance Companies – Table at the Imagine! Celebration 2014

Friend ($1-$249)
Anonymous – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Sherry Bruff – Crowdfunding for Out & About
David & Catherine Burchett – for the Bob & Judy Charles SmartHome. The donor told the house supervisor that “he lives close by and likes the way we keep our yard.”
Kathy Coyne
Hayley Dannattell – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Erika Foreman – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Mary Galgoczi – Crowdfunding for Out & About
In Honor of Mike G.
  From Karen Hamilton -- Crowdfunding for Out & About
Rachel Gehr – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Lori Greenler – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Kenneth Keil – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Hsia-Hui Lee – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Janelle Lien – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Kristin Lokken – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Leslie Lubovich – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Colette Marie – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Sharon McFall – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Bethany Roberts – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Thomas & Roberta Wellems – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Scott Wendelberger – Crowdfunding for Out & About
Rikard Wind – Crowdfunding for Out & About

In-Kind Donations

Friend ($1-$249)
Employees of Banana Republic – School supplies for needy Imagine! clients

Imagine! Serves As Grand Marshal For Labor Day Parade

This past Monday, representatives from Imagine! were delighted to be able to serve as Grand Marshal for Louisville, Colorado's Labor Day parade. The city offered us this prestigious honor in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. A fun time was had by all! In the photo below, from the left, Mike, David, and Banner Commander Ed are shown leading the way for the Imagine! contingency.

Thank You Thursday!

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

Friend ($1-$249)
Ilene Kaufman
Marjorie Rogers
Beverly Shaw -- Crowdfunding for Out & About
In Honor of Jana Ward
  From Phyllis Stewart

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.

Out & About Crowdfunding Campaign Reaches Goal

They did it! Imagine!'s Out & About department's crowdfunding campaign to support its children’s services reached its goal of $1000 last night, and there’s still five days left in the campaign. Thanks to everyone who supported this campaign – and if you didn’t get around to it yet, it isn’t too late to donate! Going beyond the goal is perfectly OK!

Click here to participate.

 

Thank You Thursday!

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

Friend ($1-$249)
Ilene Kaufman
Marjorie Rogers
Beverly Shaw -- Crowdfunding for Out & About
In Honor of Jana Ward
  From Phyllis Stewart

As always, we thank all of our generous donors.