COMMUNITY NEWS

Spreading love and help where it’s needed

Fire recovery, Valentine mailing, suicide prevention, child support, teen mindfulness

THERESA BAER

BOULDER COUNTY FIRE RELIEF AND RECOVERY

Our hearts go out to the victims of the Boulder County fires. Their lives will be altered forever by the devastating losses they have experienced. If you or someone you know is in need of relief information for basic needs, financial help, housing and more, call 2-1-1 or visit www.211colorado. org. If you are able to donate towards relief and recovery efforts, please visit www.coloradogives.org/ bouldercountywildfirefund.

LOVELAND’S VALENTINE RE-MAILING PROGRAM

For the past 76 years, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Postal Service have teamed up to provide the internationally known Valentine Remailing Program to have valentines postmarked in the Sweetheart City. All valentines sent through the Loveland Valentine Program before or on February 4 will be postmarked and mailed on February 4. Every day after February 4, the Valentine will be postmarked on the day it is received. Please note the following deadlines for your mailing needs and view dropoff locations at https://loveland.org/ programs/valentine-re-mailing-program. • February 2 for International • February 7 for Continental U.S • February 9 for Colorado/ Wyoming

5210+ CHALLENGE THIS MONTH

The Healthy Kids Club at UCHealth is hosting its annual 5210+ Challenge again this month where students, staff and families keep track of their activity minutes and other 5210+ healthy habits and prize money is awarded to schools with the highest percentage of participants. The challenge encourages participants to accomplish the following each day of the month: eat five (5) servings of fruits and vegetables; watch two (2) hours or fewer of screen time; get one (1) hour or more of physical activity; drink zero (0) sugary drinks; plus (+) sleep nine or more hours. This year, 105 schools are signed up to participate and will send information home with students. Families can also access tips and resources on the Healthy Kids website at www.healthykidsclub.org.

FORT COLLINS BIKE TO WORK (OR WHEREVER) DAY

Winter Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day is Friday, February 11 from 7am to 9:30am where local businesses and organizations provide free breakfast, comradery and maybe swag or goodies to community members who ride a bike to work (or scoot, walk or roll wherever) during the event times. So hop on your bike, etc. and look to www.fcgov.com/bicycling/biketo-work-day for a map of breakfast stations all around Fort Collins.

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAININGS

The Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County is offering free monthly virtual QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Trainings all year that share the three steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Sessions are 60-90-minutes, evidencedbased, full-certification trainings that offer 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and will take place the third Wednesday of each month with start times alternating between noon and 5:30pm. Participants will learn: the scope of the suicide problem (nationally and locally); myths and facts of suicide; warning signs of suicide or mental distress; how to ask someone if they are suicidal; how to encourage them to get

connected to care; and where to go for help, including what local resources are available. View dates/times and register at https://bit.ly/3Gv0szv.

GROW WITH ME SALE NEXT MONTH

The next Grow with Me Kids Sale will take place Friday, March 11 from 10am–7pm and Saturday, March 12 from 8am–2pm at The Ranch Events Complex, First National Bank Building, 5280 Arena Circle in Loveland. Register now to sell your outgrown kids items and plan to shop for clothes, toys, books, shoes, baby and maternity items at 50–90 percent off retail prices. Learn more at www.growwithmesale.com.

GREELEY COMMISSIONS/BOARDS FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH

Residents can provide valuable input on various aspects of the City of Greeley such as Parks and Recreation, Historic Preservation, Housing, Downtown Development, Planning, Budgets and more. Even youth between the ages of 11 and 18 can contribute by providing the City with a greater understanding of their concerns through the Youth Commission. The Youth Commission consists of 14 members total–11 appointed by the City Council and three adult advisers appointed by the commission with two-year terms and a two-term limit. Meetings occur the fourth Monday of each month and the average time commitment is three hours per month. Vacancies occur often. Learn more about all Boards and Commissions and apply online at greeleygov.com/boards.

EASIER TO APPLY FOR, RECEIVE CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES

The Colorado Department of Human Services has made child support services more accessible for Coloradans by eliminating the $20 application fee. Effective January 1, no fees will be required to apply for and receive child support services. The Child Support Services Program website says, “In addition, all child support payments are now disbursed to custodial parents electronically. This means if you are not currently enrolled in the direct deposit, you will receive a Child Support Payment Card automatically.” More information is available online at https://childsupport.state.co.us.

GREELEY LIFEGUARD TRAINING FOR AGES 15+

Plan now for summer jobs! Youth ages 15 years and up that would like to be hired as lifeguards this summer should consider the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training sessions happening February 19–21, March 18–20 or April 23–25 from 9am to 5pm each day. Participants must be able to complete a 300-yard swim, tread water for two minutes and finish a timed event. The cost for Greeley residents is $195 and non-residents pay $205. Sessions take place at the Greeley Recreation Center, 651 10th Avenue. Learn more and register at https://greeleyrec.com/ program/lifeguard-training.

HEADSPACE PLATFORM HELPS TEENS BE KIND TO THEIR MINDS

Larimer County recently shared that Peer Health Exchange (www. peerhealthexchange.org) and Headspace (www.headspace.com/ teens) have partnered to provide free support to young adults, ages 13–18, dealing with anxiety and stress. To support their mental health and wellbeing, Headspace provides “hundreds of meditations and mindfulness exercises to help [youth] learn the skills [youth] needed to be healthier and happier.” Learn more and sign up for the free tools at www. peerhealthexchange.org/headspace.