Business Briefs

Page 28 Opinion The Business Times December 8-21, 2022

Business Briefs Business PeopleSHARE YOUR NEWS The Business Times welcomes submissions for Almanac NOTEWORTHY free publication in Business Briefs. Email items to phil@thebusinesstimes.com or submit a news release online at www.thebusinesstimes.com. n HOPEWEST ACCEPTS CRYPTOCURRENCIES

TO SUPPORT WESTERN COLORADO SERVICES

HopeWest now accepts donations of cryptocurrencies to help fund services for the aging, seriously ill and grieving in Western Colorado. The move offers contributors with cryptocurrency portfolios the opportunity to support the Grand Junction-based organization in a tax-efficient way. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service classifies cryptocurrencies as property, meaning they’re not subject to capital gains tax and are deductible on income tax returns. HopeWest will work with The Giving Block, which equips nonprofit organizations with the tools and techniques to raise funding with cryptocurrencies. “We are excited for the opportunity to engage with a new generation of philanthropists and show them the impact their generosity has on HopeWest families,” said Deb Horwitz, senior vice president and chief development officer at HopeWest. For more information about donating cryptocurrencies to HopeWest, visit https://hopewestco.org/donate-crypto. n FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES WESTERN SLOPE

MOVES INTO NEW AND LARGER FACILITY

The Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope has moved into the new Etkin Family Distribution Center in Grand Junction. Located at 698 Long Acre Drive, the new facility offers more than 50,000 square feet. At nearly twice the size of the former facility in Palisade, the warehouse and distribution center is expected to enable Food Bank of the Rockies to provide 62 percent more meals annually. While volunteers and partners are allowed inside, the new facility isn’t yet open to the public. A grand opening will be scheduled in coming months. Food distribution continues through mobile pantries and hunger relief partners. For more information about Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope and food assistance, visit https://foodbankrockies.org or call 464-1138. n GRAND VALLEY TRANSIT HOLIDAY EFFORTS

INCLUDE FREE RIDES AND FOOD DRIVE

Grand Valley Transit will offer free rides on all fixed routes on Fridays and Saturdays through December. The promotion is designed to show appreciation to current passengers, welcome new passengers and help families during the holiday season. Grand Valley Transit will conduct a food drive through Dec. 12. Participants can drop off canned goods and other non-perishable food items at transfer facilities located at 535 S. Sixth St. and 612 24 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. For more information about Grand Valley Transit, visit the website at https://gvt.mesacounty.us. F

n BRAY CARES FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS

ADDRESSING HOUSING-RELATED NEEDS

St. Mary’s Hospital and

The Bray Cares Foundation awarded eight grants worth a Medical Center in Grand total of $35,000 to address housing-related needs in Mesa County. Junction has once again

Bray & Co. Real Estate based in Grand Junction established received an A for its efforts to the Bray Cares Foundation and partners with the Western Colorado ensure patient safety.Community Foundation to raise funds and make grants to nonprofit The medical center, part organizations. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded a of Intermountain Healthcare, total of $110,000 in grants. received an A rating from the

The latest recipients are: Leapfrog Group in its fall 2022 n Foster Alumni Mentors to offer housing support to youth hospital grades report. aging out of foster care. “This national n Grand Valley Catholic Outreach for its stop eviction rental distinction assistance program. celebrates our n Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County for flooring for two caregivers and homes. their achievements n HomewardBound of the Grand Valley for general support in ensuring our of its homeless shelter. patients receive n Joint Development Associates for its Grand Valley resettlement the best possible program. care,” said Mark n Joseph Center for its grant assistance program for families in transition. Mark Korth Korth, president of the Peaks Region n Karis for a commercial washer and dryer at its Laurel House of Intermountain Healthcare. Apartments. “As we continue to enhance our n Mesa County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program for safety mission, we are united projects that help seniors stay in their homes. in our commitment to health

Bray & Co. provides residential and commercial real estate care safety as we advance our as well as property management services with offices in Grand mission of helping people live Junction and Rifle. For more information, call 242-3647 or visit the healthiest lives possible.”www.brayandco.com. Leapfrog Group has assigned A, B, C, D and F letter n SCHOOL DISTRICT 51 FOUNDATION PLANS grades to general hospitals in DISTRIBUTION OF FREE CHROMEBOOKS the United States since 2012. The rating takes into account

The Mesa County School District 51 Foundation will give away more than 30 measures of more than 5,000 used Chromebook computers on a first-come, publicly available information to first-served basis. produce a single grade.

Additional distribution sessions are set for 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 8 “I applaud the hospital at R5 High school in Grand Junction, 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 9 at the leadership and workforce for Mesa County Libraries branch in Collbran and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. their strong commitment to Dec. 10 at the Mesa County Libraries central library in Grand safety and transparency,” said Junction and branch locations in Clifton and Fruita. Leah Binder, president and

The Chromebooks were retired from classroom use, but chief executive officer of the still offer usefulness and come with reloaded operating systems. Leapfrog Group. “An A safety There’s no guarantee, however, of their remaining lifespans. grade is a sign that hospitals

The school district recently received a $3.5 million grant from are continuously evaluating E-Rate that will reimburse the district for the purchase of 9,000 new their performance so that they Chromebooks and 1,500 jet packs offering wireless internet access. can best protect patients.

For additional information, call 254-5108 or visit the website Your hospital team should located at https://d51foundation.org. be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.” n FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARIES TO HOST St. Mary’s was among a total HOLIDAY BOOK SALE THROUGH DEC. 17 of six Intermountain Healthcare hospitals in Colorado and Montana

Friends of the Mesa County Libraries will host a holiday book to receive A grades. Based in Utah, sale through Dec. 17. Intermountain Healthcare operates

The sale is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays a total of 33 hospitals in seven at the First Congregational Church, located at 1425 N. Fifth St. states. For more information, visit across from Grand Junction High School. All sales are cash only. https://intermountainhealthcare.org.

Proceeds from the sale will support a variety of services and support offered at library branches throughout Mesa County