Making a difference 2015

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE 201 Working together to make a difference in our community.

2 | February 27, 2015

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

Making a Difference

February 27, 2015

Moffat County United Way holds lifeline for local nonprofits Story by Craig Daily Press editor Noelle Leavitt Riley

It’s hard to quantify exactly how much United Way means to the community, as it supports a plethora of nonprofits and works extremely hard on community impact programs such as Bridges out of Poverty.

It’s amazing how many people give their time Noelle Leavitt Riley and money to those in need, only to see a brighter future for the less fortunate in Moffat County.

Other impact programs include finding better transportation options for Craig and figuring out how to get parents engaged and involved in the lives of their children.

One of the most amazing aspects of volunteering or giving money to a nonprofit is the way it makes the person on the receiving end feel.

Moffat County United Way is currently going through big changes as Corrie Ponikvar passes the torch of the executive director position to Amanda Arnold.

It gives them that aspect of hope that they might have lost along the hard road of life.

It let’s them know that people care, and — most importantly — it gives them a chance to start over.

Ponikvar has run the organization for nearly 18 years, giving Arnold big shoes to fill. Yet the two women have a fabulous working relationship, and Ponikvar couldn’t be more pleased that the board hired Arnold to take her place.

That’s exactly what many of Moffat County’s nonprofits do to help those in need, which is an extremely important aspect to society.

Photo by Noelle Leavitt Riley

Corrie Ponikvar, left, is excited to pass the torch as executive director of Moffat County United Way to Amanda Arnold, who has worked as the community impact coordinator for Bridges Out of Poverty. The two have much respect for each other, and they work extremely well as a team. Arnold is excited to build on all the wonderful things that Ponikvar has done for United Way.

Although Ponkivar has acted as the executive director for the last 18 years, she’s actually worked with United Way for more than 25 years in various roles, including being on the board.

Additionally, some nonprofits receive money through donor designations only, meaning any person or business that gives money to United Way and wants to designate the funds to a specific nonprofit has that option.

Moffat County United Way currently has 18 board members who are in charge of the organization. The board must approve any changes to the local United Way.

In 2014, Moffat County United Way raised $420,000 to allocate to nonprofits in the community, and in 2013 it raised $430,000.

The county’s local United Way is a part of the international United Way organization.

Perhaps what’s even more impressive is the total amount that has been raised during Ponikvar’s tenure as executive director.

“United Way Worldwide is a leadership and support organization for the network of nearly 1,800 community-based United Ways in 41 countries and territories. We envision a world where all individuals and families achieve their human potential through education, income stability and healthy lives,” according to the organization’s website.

Essentially, Moffat County United Way lives up to the international organization’s mission by helping fund nonprofits and by improving the lives of those with hardships in the community.

The local United Way raises money for nonprofits each year and then properly allocates the funds to its members agencies. Basically, any nonprofit that seeks funds raised through Moffat County United Way must apply to receive money.

From The Editor: The art of giving back Hope, giving, caring and camaraderie are a few of the words that come to mind when thinking about nonprofits in our community.

Moffat County United Way is the thread to funding, support and communication for our local nonprofits.

“I think she’s going to do a great job,” Ponikvar said with tears in her eyes.

“She has the passion, she has the dedication and she has the work ethic.”

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In total, she’s helped raise $4,828,946 for nonprofits in the community.

The money raised through the Moffat County United Way campaign drive each year is not the only source of funding for the organization. In 2014, the Human Resource Council in Moffat County gave the local United Way $80,000. Those funds are generated from the city and county to help fund local nonprofits.

“Specifically, we are the anchor for all the nonprofits in our community,” Ponikvar said. “By being the anchor, we not only provide funding, but we provide other supports as well.”

Arnold left her position as the community impact coordinator for Bridges Out of Poverty to take Ponikvar’s place. The board hired Aspen Matthews to replace Arnold.

Bridges Out of Poverty is a branch of United Way that helps low-income individuals and families get out of poverty. Arnold was so successful in that role that the national Bridges Out of Poverty asked her to be on the board.

It’s a position that she’ll keep as she takes over as executive director of Moffat County United Way. Arnold’s roots in the community are much deeper than what she’s done with local nonprofits. She’s a Craig native, and her husband, Daniel, is from Meeker.

The couple has tons of family in both communities, and they care deeply about Northwest Colorado. They have two kids, Kaylee, 7, and Kyler, 8. Since their kids were born, Arnold has worked part-time for Connections for Kids and for Bridges Out of Poverty.

But, her kids are now in school all day, giving her time to dive into her new, fulltime position at United Way. For the last month, Ponkivar has been showing her the ropes.

Craig residents have huge hearts and they effortlessly give to those in who are down and out. Without facilitators to run nonprofits in our community, such giving would not be possible.

Moffat County United Way and Youth United Way work endless hours to make sure funds are generated and allocated to the proper entities.

The Craig Daily Press is pleased to bring you Making a Difference — a special section dedicated to highlighting a few of the nonprofits in our community that make a huge difference. It’s the second year that we’ve compiled this section.

Those who grew up in Craig were taught how to give back, and for those who just moved to this amazing community, it’s easy to see the love that everyone has for each other.

Now that’s something to brag about.

As Craig and Moffat County sift through all the hardships coming down the pike from the state and federal government as it relates to energy, endangered species and water rights, we know one thing for certain — we have big hearts that will carry us through as long as we continue to stick together.

“She has so much to offer,” Arnold said.

“I’ve learned a lot from Corrie. I just feel so lucky to have her as a mentor.”

I’m proud to be a Craig citizen and give my money and time to nonprofits. It’s my hope that the stories in this special section will prompt others to continue to give money and volunteer time to Craig and Moffat County.

Noelle Leavitt Riley is the managing editor of the Craig Daily Press and the Saturday Morning Press. Contact her at 970-8751790, or nriley@craigdailypress.com.

Noelle Leavitt Riley is the managing editor of the Craig Daily Press and the Saturday Morning Press. Contact her at 970-8751790, or nriley@craigdailypress.com.

4 | February 27, 2015

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

Youth United Way: Learning how to be young adults, allocate money Story by Craig Daily Press editor Noelle Leavitt Riley Perhaps one of the most powerful lessons teenagers can learn is the art of giving back.

That’s exactly what Youth United Way and Key Club have taught hundreds of Craig’s young adults over the years — and that

tradition isn’t going away anytime soon.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot,” said Katelyn Peroulis, co-president of Moffat County Youth United Way. “I’ve learned about what it’s like in the real world and how a board works and all the aspects of a nonprofit.”

Peroulis and Aubrey Campbell are the

presidents of Youth United Way, giving their time and effort to see Moffat County nonprofits thrive through their volunteer work.

The two young women work on a fourperson board to help facilitate events in the community such as Festival of Trees and the KRAI food drive each year.

“I started in Key Club and Youth United Way

when I was a sophomore,” Peroulis said. “I had some friends that were involved, and they said it was really cool to volunteer and make a difference in the community.”

This year, Peroulis anticipates that she'll log a total of 80 hours of volunteer time, even though the two organizations only require that students put in 50 hours a year of volunteer work.

Roughly 80 Moffat County High School students are involved in Key Club and Youth United Way, with about 12 to 15 who are actively involved on a day-by-day basis, said Corrie Ponikvar who has helped mentor students over the years.

Training students on how to be young professionals is a huge part of the process.

Much like Moffat County United Way, Youth United Way also allocates money to nonprofits in the community.

Moffat County United Way gives Youth United Way $5,000 each year, and the Human Resource Council (HRC) also gives the youth organization $5,000. An additional $2,000 was earned through selling wreaths to the community over the holidays, giving Youth United Way a total of $12,000 to allocate to nonprofits.

Photo by Noelle Leavitt Riley

Youth United Way and Key Club members work hard to contribute to the community. The group has its own interview and allocation process, teaching teens how to be young business professionals through nonprofit work.

Nonprofits can apply for three sources of funding each year through United Way, Youth United Way and the HRC. Youth United Way must interview the

Many Thanks

No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted.

to all the non-profit organizations and volunteers in our community!

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2000 W Victory Way, Craig • (970) 824-0340

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

February 27, 2015

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Boys & Girls Club: Helping kids grow nonprofits who apply for money, and the teens then choose where they’d like that money to go.

“It’s very student-driven,” Ponikvar said. “They come business dressed, ready to work and interview the agencies. If you want to get money, (you) have to be interviewed.”

It teaches students how to manage money, sit on a board and interview skills.

“I’ve helped every year with the allocation process,” Peroulis said. “It’s a really good learning process on how to be on a board. The kids, we’re all the ones that do everything, and we talk about who to give the money to and how much.”

To further boost funding and its presence in the community, the week of Valentine’s Day, Youth United Way organized a bake sale.

“In our school (we) promoted Have a Heart Week,” Peroulis said of the Valentine’s fundraiser. “We’re showing the kids the importance of having a heart and being nice to each other.

Those proceeds will be given to St. Michael's Catholic Church to use for its soup kitchen or other community endeavors.

Thank you!

Coal isn’t the only thing we dig

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to all who serve our community!

1820 W. Victory Way, Craig 970-824-4945

Proudly Serving

& Supporting Non Profits

Young Life, Connections 4 Kids, Kiwanis, CNCC, Boys and Girls Club, CMEDP

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Contact Noelle Leavitt Riley at 970-8751790 or nriley@craigdailypress.com. Follow her on Twitter @noelleleavitt.

Photo by Noelle Leavitt Riley

The Boys & Girls Club of Craig is a nonprofit under the national Boys & Girls Club organization. The association "provides a safe, positive place for the kids in our communities. Our clubs have full-time, part-time, and junior staff professionals, who mentor and teach the youth we serve. At the clubs, members are involved in educational and fun youth-development programs that give each child a sense of competence, power to influence decisions, usefulness and belonging–all qualities which will help them make the most of their lives and become the leaders of today and tomorrow." The Boys & Girls Club is funded by grants, donations and from United Way allocations.

6 | February 27, 2015

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

Moffat County 4-H Club reaches beyond farms, ranches and animals Story by Craig Daily Press writer Janelle O'Dea

Out of the six million kids involved in the 4-H Club programs across the country, Moffat County is proudly home to about 250 of them.

The “4-H” in 4-H Club represents four core principles the organization promotes: head, managing and thinking; heart, relating and caring; hands, giving and working and health, being and living.

Activities available in Moffat County’s 4-H Club are extensive and can suit any student’s interest, said Colorado State University Moffat County extension director JD Sexton.

“That’s probably one of the big misconceptions; that you have to have an animal to be in 4-H,” Sexton said. “But there’s a lot of opportunities for kids.”

Anyone from ages 8 to 18 can participate in 4-H Club events. 4-H is a national organization supported by land grant universities’ extension offices. The county does set aside money for the CSU extension office, Sexton said, but the 4-H Club survives primarily on donors in the area who believe in the program and what it does for Moffat County youth.

Getting involved with 4-H Club can mean participating in activities other than livestock showing or horsemanship. Other options

include baking and canning, veterinary science activities, bicycle events, geospatial exploration, small engine work and shooting sports, to name a few. Many 4-H’ers have participated in robotics activities in recent years, as well, Sexton said.

One of the students involved in Moffat County 4-H Club will use skills from 4-H Club to help her decide what she’ll major in when she goes to college in a couple years. Samantha Pearce has done multiple activities in the past and settled on clothing construction and horse showing.

Those two are the activities she feels she’s best at, Pearce said. She’s considering going into fashion marketing when she goes to college. But first, she’ll spend six months training with Ben Longwell in New Zealand after graduating from high school.

Longwell grew up riding horses and working cattle on the Western Slope and now holds horsemanship clinics in America and New Zealand to share his knowledge.

The apprenticeship will help Pearce figure out if she wants to do horsemanship work every day or just have it as a hobby on the side, she said.

In the past year, Pearce won several awards for sewing a wool dress out of materials born and raised in Moffat County. Pearce was involved in all stages of her creation, including the cleaning, dyeing, spinning and weaving of the wool.

Photo by Stephanie Pearce

Samantha Pearce with her horse, Paint. Samantha has had Paint since birth and said having the horse has taught her how to raise and care for a horse. Through 4-H Club, Samantha learned about horsemanship.

Pearce, the 16-year-old vice president of 4-H Club’s Colorado District 11, said she wanted to do something with agriculture but took the idea further than showing livestock.

“I wanted to do something that promotes ag but not raise my own animal,” Pearce said.

Making the dress and participating in horsemanship with her 8-year-old horse, Paint, has taught Pearce many skills, and Sexton said the whole point of 4-H Club activities is to foster youth development.

From her involvement with 4-H Club, Pearce gained skills such as how to

prepare for and speak in interviews, public speaking and a myriad of leadership skills.

4-H Clubs across the nation create a giveand-take relationship between teens and their communities. The Moffat County 4-H Club is no different.

“We want to give them the ability to give back to the community by doing some kind of community service or helping the community out because the community supports the program,” Sexton said.

Contact Janelle O'Dea at 970-875-1795 or jodea@CraigDailyPress.com or follow her on Twitter @jayohday.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to community members

Randy and Cindy Looper.

Thank you for all of your time and commitment to many of Craig’s organizations

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A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

Making a Difference

February 27, 2015

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LOVE MI: A lighthouse for the women of Craig Story by Craig Daily Press writer Janelle O'Dea God’s vision was for Yvette Davis to open a shelter and empower women. She thought she would open a shelter in the Bahamas, but a stroke of fate changed everything.

Davis met her husband, Dr. Wayne Davis, of Craig Veterinary Hospital, nearly three years ago while Dr. Davis was taking a continuous class in the Bahamas.

“We just felt through prayer and everything that God put us together,” Davis said.

She moved to Craig to be with Dr. Davis and said though God had given her the vision to open a shelter years ago, she didn’t feel the timing was right for it until she arrived in Craig, when “all of it fell into place.”

The couple funded the opening of both the LOVE MI shelter and thrift store last year.

The shop opened on Jan. 8 and the shelter opened on May 4. The proceeds from the store fund the maintenance and living costs such as laundry at the shelter.

Davis said she also tries to provide gas money to help women travel to job interviews and celebrates residents’ birthdays to reinforce a homey feeling at the shelter.

The name of the shelter and shop is an acronym representing the mission of her organization, Loyal Outreach Voluntary Evangelistic Ministries International, Inc. Currently, Davis said two women and three children are staying at the shelter located at 820 Russell St. It can hold up to 11 women and their children. Last year between May and November, the shelter helped 14 women by being a temporary source of stability.

Secretary for LOVE MI’s board Paula Misenhelter said the service provided by LOVE MI was much needed in Craig. She said she’s most enjoyed meeting different people through her job.

“If at the end of the day I’ve helped somebody, it makes me feel good,” Misenhelter said.

Misenhelter moved to Craig from Maybell in 2012. She lived in Maybell for about six years before coming to Craig. She started working at the shelter in February of last year and usually stops in at least once a day to help Davis.

“Some have come and left, but she has stayed,” Davis said of Misenhelter. Both women agreed the operation would be difficult to maintain without the support of each other.

Even if women are just passing through and can’t afford a hotel, Davis said the shelter “can be that lighthouse.” Women and their children are welcomed but the shelter does not accept male children older than 13 years old. Women who live in the shelter are given a month to get back on their feet, but Davis said it’s not always a firm deadline.

“After that we may extend it for another two weeks, it depends on the person,” Davis said.

The main goal of the shelter is to help women feel better walking out of the shelter doors than they felt walking in. Davis and other volunteers sometimes work well into the night to make sure women have a chance at succeeding outside of the shelter.

“We help them get set up in their new place,” she said. “We’re open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but we go beyond just the hours here.”

All of the time Davis spends on the shelter and shop are volunteer hours. She said she would like to write for some grants this year so she can hire employees.

“We’ve just been breaking even, so we really could use some financial support,” Davis said. She’s planning for another fundraiser this summer, similar to the fashion show fundraiser LOVE MI hosted last year.

But, all of the volunteer hours are worth it when she’s out in the community and hears the feedback.

“Sometimes when I’m at the grocery store someone tells me I’m doing a great thing and that drives me,” Davis said. “I couldn’t do it without the support of the Craig community.”

Contact Janelle O'Dea at 970-875-1795 or jodea@CraigDailyPress.com or follow her on Twitter @jayohday.

Photo by Janelle O'Dea

Yvette Davis, founder of LOVE MI and president of the LOVE MI board, stands in front of the LOVE MI thrift shop she opened to help support the LOVE MI shelter. The shelter provides a temporary home for women when they may not have any other sense of stability in their lives.

8 | February 27, 2015

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

Interfaith Food Bank feeds the hungry and needy in Moffat County Story by Craig Daily Press editor Noelle Leavitt Riley

little boys and they were living out of their car,” she said, noting that the dad eventually got a job.

Have you ever been so down and out that you can’t afford food?

When you walk into the food bank, you see rows and rows of canned and boxed goods — it’s like a mini grocery store. Once the volunteers figure out how much food each person or family qualifies for, they allow them to choose their food off the shelves according to their likes.

It’s an unfortunate reality for many, which is why the Interfaith Food Bank exists — to help put food in the bellies of those who can’t pay for groceries.

Since the early 1970s, the Interfaith Food Bank has served Moffat County residents, making the transition out of poverty smoother.

The amount of people served varies a great deal. One day they might have only one person or family and other days they serve more than 20, Glimidakis said.

In January, the Interfaith Food Bank served 410 people, totaling 8,610 meals.

The food bank is open three days a week from 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“We will give people food three times a year,” said Barbara Baker who volunteers for the nonprofit organization.

The food bank is set up for emergency assistance to those in need, and it works very hard to not be a grocery store to those who seek to take advantage of the assistance.

Photo by Noelle Leavitt Riley

Fanziska Stoddard, left, stands with Jeannie Glimidakis and Barbara Baker at the Interfaith Food Bank based at the American Legion. The food bank acts as an emergency source of food supply for those who are down and out.

“You always have those people who try to take advantage of the system,” said Franziska Stoddard.

The organization is supported by Moffat County United Way and volunteers.

Currently, 20 volunteers give their free time to feed the mouths of hungry residents.

In doing so, volunteers keep good track of applications so there isn’t any crossover.

Stationed in the American Legion building, volunteers allocate food based on the number of people in a family.

“Lots of times, people come in and have no food for their family at all,” Baker said.

Baker’s fellow volunteer partner, Jeannie Glimidakis, recalled a time when a family living out of a car needed nourishment.

“We had a family come in with three

Like most nonprofits, it’s the volunteers that keep the program going.

“It’s a very dedicated group of people,” said Brian Baxter, who runs all aspects of the American Legion building.

Baxter’s smile was from ear to ear when he bragged about those who give time at the food bank to help others.

Reach Noelle Leavitt Riley at 970-8751790 or nriley@craigdailypress.com Follow her on Twitter @noelleleavitt.

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

Making a Difference

February 27, 2015

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Northwest Colorado Chapter of Parrotheads: Work hard, play hard Story by Craig Daily Press assistant editor Andy Bockelman Good friends, maybe a snippet of “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and a slightly brighter community are what you can expect if you get involved with the Northwest Colorado Chapter of Parrotheads.

The group started informally with a sign in Craig resident Danny Griffith’s yard that declared regular gatherings of local pals as a bona fide meeting, but the more they looked into the name for fans of tropical rocker Jimmy Buffett, they realized the national syndicate Parrotheads in Paradise did some pretty neat things as a service organization.

After applying to be an official part of the larger effort, NCCPH was born in 2008.

Presided over by Wet Juan and Captain Fatty — the nicknames for John Husband and Dave Pike — the club has more than 80 members working year-round to better the place they live.

“We’re only the second club in Colorado that’s part of PHIP,” Pike said.

It’s not unusual to see a couple dozen Parrotheads out in the warmer months, helping care for cottonwood trees planted at Elkhead Reservoir under the guidance of member Dory Brown or providing terra cotta flower pots around town, an effort spearheaded by Laurie Herring.

Photo by Janele Husband

The Northwest Colorado Chapter of Parrotheads flock together on the patio at J.W. Snack's Bar and Grill. The Parrotheads have been active as a local service organization since 2008, offering cleanup projects along highways and the Yampa River and providing funding for scholarships and other educational happenings. The group is part of the national collective of Jimmy Buffett fans, Parrotheads in Paradise, whose motto is "Party with a purpose."

Cleanup projects along area highways and the Yampa River are also regular doings, as are fundraisers — or as they spell it, PHundraisers — like Art’n the Park’n Lot and beverage sales at big events such as Whittle the Wood Rendezvous, which capture the Parrothead credo, “Party with a purpose.”

Financially, the group contributes to multiple endeavors, including Craig Concert Association, the Parade of Lights and KRAI Holiday Drive to name a few, as well as educational focuses like Music in the Schools, Sagebrush Reading Council, Craig Middle School’s eighth-grade Carol Jacobson Memorial Poetry Contest, Missoula Children’s Theatre and donating to the ceramics program at Colorado Northwestern Community College.

In 2014, a total $4,000 was given to graduating high school seniors through the Parrotheads.

Future projects to which the Parrotheads have attached themselves are a potential amphitheater at LoudySimpson Park and improved features along the river for recreation.

Photo by Andy Bockleman

From left, John Husband, Cody Draper, Beth Gilchrist and the rest of the Northwest Colorado Chapter of Parrotheads present Amy Peck a check for $500 on behalf of Missoula Children's Theatre during the Parrotheads' meeting at J.W. Snack's Bar and Grill. The Parrotheads sponsored the Jan. 17 MCT production of "The Wizard of Oz," along with The Memorial Hospital, TMH Foundation and Friends of Moffat County Education.

“We’re really excited about that, so that more kayakers and rafters can use it for parking,” Pike said.

than we do, all you’ve got to do is walk in,” he said.

But, as much as they do, the group aims to keep their work laidback.

Meetings held at J.W. Snack’s Bar & Grill are very relaxed, Husband said.

Many members became involved as a result of hearing the sometimes raucous celebrations at the table next to theirs while they were eating and deciding to join in the fun.

“You can’t have a more open meeting

The level of participation is up to each

individual, Pike added.

“We’re pretty easygoing, and it’s purely a voluntary club,” he said. “If you can’t be at every meeting, that’s fine, but we’d love to have you.”

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-8751793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress. com.

10 | February 27, 2015

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

Humane Society of Moffat County aids furry four-leggeds in Craig Story by Craig Daily Press writer Lauren Blair

Society, the group’s efforts have been quite effective at reducing shelter numbers.

Moffat County’s down-and-out animals are in much better stead these days than they were in decades past, thanks in part to the efforts of the Humane Society of Moffat County.

“Our numbers are as low as they’ve ever been,” Hepworth said. “I think that’s a reflection on our spay and neuter program over the years.”

Founded in 2002, the Humane Society — which bears no affiliation with the national organization — works in partnership with Bear Creek Animal Hospital and the Craig Animal Shelter, which is housed at the clinic.

He noted that animals are very rarely euthanized at the shelter, a significant change from when he took ownership of the clinic 15 years ago.

“We are ‘friends’ of the shelter but we do numerous services for the community in addition to helping the shelter,” Humane Society President Ann Anderson said.

“We rarely ever euthanize an animal unless it is a wild cat or a dog that’s not adoptable,” Hepworth said. “As compared to 15 years ago, we euthanized hundreds of animals a year.”

The organization’s mission includes finding homes for shelter animals and supporting spay and neuter programs and a variety of other efforts to improve the lives of animals in Moffat County.

According to Craig Police Department numbers cited in a Humane Society newsletter, 30 cats and seven dogs were euthanized in 2013 out of 206 cats and 443 dogs total.

“From the very beginning, our goal was to educate, spay and neuter, and help people in the county that needed help with animals, sometimes with medical issues,” said longtime member Pat Pearce. “The main thing we really want to do is educate the community about how important it is to spay and neuter so we can reduce the numbers in the shelter.”

The Humane Society’s transfer program has been instrumental in improving the fate of local critters. If cats and dogs at the Craig Animal Shelter aren’t adopted within about three to four weeks, volunteers will transfer them to other Western Slope or Front Range shelters. In 2013, 101 cats and 46 dogs were transferred.

According to veterinarian and owner of Bear Creek Animal Hospital Kelly Hepworth, who also sits on the board for the Humane

“It’s hard for some reason to get animals adopted here and find good stable homes,” Anderson said. “We’ll have an animal here

Photo by Lauren Blair

Moffat County Humane Society President Ann Anderson cuddles Boots, who was recently transferred to Glenwood Springs to improve his chances of adoption. In addition to her role in the Humane Society, Anderson is employed by Bear Creek Animal Hospital and cares for the shelter pets most evenings.

for ages and it will get transferred and get snatched up.”

The Humane Society supports the transfer program financially as well as logistically, paying for animals to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated before heading off to a new shelter and eventually, a new home.

The organization also offers financial support to individual pet owners for food

or medical expenses, and often pays for medical treatment for injured animals that show up at the shelter.

“They’re a huge benefit, no doubt about it,” Hepworth said. “It’s worked out to be a pretty symbiotic relationship that helps animals and achieves the goal of finding… them a good home.”

Contact Lauren Blair at 970-875-1794 or lblair@CraigDailyPress.com.

Thank You!

to everyone serving & helping our community!

We love living here because you make it great!

Thanks to all of you that

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300 South Highway 13 - Craig, CO 81625 970-824-4000

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make a difference.

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

February 27, 2015

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Thank you 530 Breeze Street, Craig 970 824-9427

Photo by David Pressgrove

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to all the Helping Hands in our Community!

Members of Bear River Young Life enjoy the summer sunshine at Crooked Creek Ranch in summer 2014. Bear River Young Life is a youth ministry organization that provides activities and guidance for high school and middle school students in Craig and Hayden, including regular seasonal trips to camps, for which members raise money through community service projects.

Bear River Young Life: A rush of fun and devotion

Story by Craig Daily Press assistant editor Andy Bockelman

The loudness will still be there, but that’s because of all the fun.

The youth ministry program for Northwest Colorado provides plentiful activities for teens and tweens in Craig and Hayden, teaching them leadership, helping them get closer to God and just generally being there for them.

Young Life has been in the area for nearly 20 years, but it was in 2001 that it began to take off in its current form. Director David Pressgrove started as a volunteer under Scott Smith in 2002, taking over in a larger but still part-time capacity in 2004 before eventually running the whole shebang.

“It’s a faith-based organization, but I think people regardless of their faith see the value of it, because we’ve been involved in enough kids’ lives that we’ve stuck, and we’ve brought consistency,” Pressgrove said.

Group members also raise money to attend summer camps through community service throughout town,

“We try so hard to make it so that anyone who walks in can feel accepted,” he said.

“It’s crazy but fun,” she said amid the din.

On the one hand, Brenden Hopkins loves the parties the organization has, but the 12-year-old also enjoys learning during the quieter moments.

“God is always around you,” he said, when asked about what he’s learned during meetings.

He added that he also likes being part of a group where he’s surrounded by people who care.

Tahoe Chenoweth, 12, was among those who met in early February, though for her it was the first time.

Chenoweth said it probably won’t be her last time there, agreeing to go to WyldLife after plenty of prodding by friend Tabitha Davis, also 12.

“It’s not as fun without friends,” Davis said.

Continued on page 15

485 Yampa Ave. Craig, CO 81625 (970)824-8000

Thanks for giving us reasons to smile!

Thank you to Moffat County’s non-profits for being inspirational

Young Life includes the high school level, as well as WyldLife for middleschoolers. Naomi Rowley is one of the leaders who oversees the younger group, which can often be a bit rowdy.

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Young Life provides an outlet during the school year with regular meetings full of irregular happenings, whether it’s a messy paint party, a scavenger hunt or hangouts known as Fifth Quarter following Moffat County High School’s football and basketball games.

One rewarding thing is seeing a diverse cross-section of kids each week, Pressgrove said, as cliques become less important and kids choose to spend time with someone outside their usual circle, which has also been a goal of the program "If You Really Knew Me."

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Adolescence can be a loud, trying, scary time for many kids as they start to find their way in the world, but those who get involved with Bear River Young Life may find it gets a little bit easier with some guidance and some peers outside of school.

recent projects including community gardening and clean-up efforts.

PARTS of our community.

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400 Taylor • Craig, CO 824-3284 • www.thparts.com John Ponikvar, President

12 | February 27, 2015

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

Elks Lodge: Investing in youth and community Story by Craig Daily Press assistant editor Andy Bockelman

get the legacy awards that go toward families of members.

Even a herd with small numbers can still do great things, as is apparent with the philanthropy of the Benevolent and Protectorate Order of Elks Lodge No. 1577.

Whether they’re striving to provide funds for local students, working with veterans, encouraging aspiring athletes or just organizing a game of Bingo, the Craig Elks do their part to make their community a better place.

According to the ENF Board of Trustees’ annual appropriations and distributions report, in the last fiscal year about 15 percent of $26.5 million raised by the organization went to scholarships, while more than 32 percent went to community investment programs and 5 percent to youth programs.

Locally, that meant $2,000 to the local food bank, while $5,000 was used for the Hoop Shoot free throw contest. Drug awareness programs have also been local projects.

While the national service group traces its origins as far back as the 1860s, the Craig branch has been in operation since 1938, said Frank Sadvar, the chapter’s Exalted Ruler.

Sadvar has also worked with members to get other endeavors rolling, including more youth sports and, but one of the biggest hindrances has been bringing in more people.

Within the last year, the Craig Elks gave out $2,000 in scholarships, part of more than $2.6 million given out across the country through the Elks National Foundation.

Sadvar said the Elks are the second-largest scholarship distribution in the world.

“Our big push right now is membership, membership, membership,” he said. “A lot of organizations like Kiwanis and American Legion are hurting for that right now, too.”

High school students can get as much as $50,000 for college through various levels, and while no Craig kids have gotten this much, several in the past have been able to

“I’m amazed how many people tell me, ‘Oh, I didn’t know the Elks were still going,’” Sadvar said. “Wrong, the Elks are still going, and we’re going strong. As long as I can do it, we’re not going to fold this thing.”

Thank you

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“There’s only one bigger, and that’s Uncle Sam,” he said.

At its peak, the Elks in Craig consisted of about 700 residents, while today it’s just below 70.

to those who serve our great community!

Photo by Andy Bockelman

Frank Sadvar, Exalted Ruler of Elks Lodge No. 1577, stands among many of the defining elements of the national service organization, including the chapter charter, a mounted elk head, the American flag and perhaps most importantly, the word "charity." The Elks regularly provide $2,000 or more each year to local students, as well as donating to other causes in the community, offering the Hoop Shoot free throw contest, Bingo games and more. Sadvar said the group continues to seek new members, a part of Craig since 1938.

While Sadvar continues to seek new blood for the organization, it’s also important in his view that the traditions and past affiliates who helped the Lodge at 43 W. Victory Way get to where it was in its heyday. The hallowed hall on the building’s second floor was once a hopping spot for community dances and was recently used for a get-together following the Art Walk and Taste of Chocolate, and Sadvar said he would love to see this brought back again.

Having been a member for 50 years, he is a third-generation Elk whose father and grandfather can be found among the names of cherished plaques that pay tribute to those who spent much of their lives living out the organization’s ideals.

“An Elk is never forgotten,” Sadvar said with pride.

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com.

THANK YOU ALL for supporting our community, we appreciate all you do!

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Napa Easy Pay Credit Card available for Precision Auto Services

Celebrating 20 Years of Serving Moffat County!

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Making a Difference

February 27, 2015

| 13

Mind Springs Health: Providing a steady stream of support services to Craig residents Story by Craig Daily Press writer Lauren Blair From substance abuse to child psychiatry to mental health crises, the small but mighty team at Mind Springs Health in Craig never runs out of difficult problems to tackle, but the staff of eight seems tireless in their efforts to address the evolving mental health needs of the community they serve.

Program Director Craig Thornhill is hard to pin down, as he bounces between starting an adolescent substance abuse program, expanding the office’s crisis support services, organizing and teaching mental health first aid trainings and attending to unique, individual patient needs.

collective community effort and partnerships to meet the spectrum of needs this town has.”

One such partnership with the VNA delivers mental health services hand-in-hand with primary care through its integrative behavioral health program. A Mind Springs Health licensed therapist works on-site with primary care providers to address mental health needs for patients when they arise.

“A lot of times a mental health issue or substance abuse issue will be presented at primary care,” said VNA Community

Partnerships Coordinator Janie Dunckley.

“It’s really a new, innovative approach that is making a lot of headway throughout the nation and throughout the state as the next best way to provide care. It’s providing more of that holistic approach to a person and not just piecemealing it into physical here and mental there.”

Mind Springs provides an invaluable service to the community, Dunckley said, all while working within the constraints of limited resources and personnel. And with several new programs and trainings in the works for the coming year, Thornhill shows no signs

of slowing down.

“I love working here,” said Mind Springs Business Services Assistant Denise Rogers, who does everything from scheduling appointments to screening crisis calls. “It’s the caring, supportive staff that I work with, and the fact that it’s really wonderful to see people come in at the end of their rope and realize people do care.

They’re able to walk out with their heads a little higher.”

Contact Lauren Blair at 970-875-1794 or lblair@CraigDailyPress.com.

"We do some out-of-the-box stuff sometimes and if that’s going to improve the quality of life for one of our clients, you’ll find us doing it," Thornhill said.

On site, Mind Springs in Craig provides psychiatric services both in person and via telehealth technology to anyone who needs them. It also provides 24-hour access to a therapist in the case of a crisis.

“Regardless of ability to pay, we’ll never turn people away from our doors,” Thornhill said.

“We are the only Medicaid-funded facility (in Craig)."

Craig is one of thirteen outpatient locations for the Western Slope-wide nonprofit organization, which has grown to serve a 23,000-square-mile area from the Continental Divide to the Utah border since it was originally founded in 1970.

Partnerships are key in rural areas, and Mind Springs teams up with Moffat County Social Services, Moffat County School District and the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, as well as other governmental, law enforcement and health agencies to ensure mental health care services reach those who need them.

Providing access is a key part of Mind Springs’ mission.

Last year, more than 700 people came through Mind Springs' doors in Craig, of which more than 200 were minors, according to Thornhill.

However in his view, 700 is not enough.

Nationwide, nearly one in every four adults can have a diagnosable mental illness over the course of one year, Thornhill said.

“If you take the fact that 20 to 25 percent of the Moffat County population has a diagnosable mental illness in any given year and then look at how may of them are coming in to get treatment for diagnoses, there’s a huge mismatch meaning there are a lot of people out there who could benefit from services but aren’t coming in,” Thornhill said. “We’re not reaching everybody we need to reach. And I think its going to take

Photo by Lauren Blair

Mind Springs Health Business Service Assistant Denise Rogers and therapist Peggy Sammons stand in front of Mind Springs Health in Craig. The two are part of a small team of committed individuals who work tirelessly to ensure that Moffat County residents get the mental health care they need.

14 | February 27, 2015

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

The Memorial Hospital Foundation: Making Craig a healthier community Story by Craig Daily Press writer Lauren Blair Neatly situated in its new location on top of the hill, The Memorial Hospital boasts state-of-the-art equipment and a nearly brand new building. For that, it can thank The Memorial Hospital Foundation.

The Foundation is like the hospital’s benevolent fairy godmother, looking out for and anticipating its needs, then doing all it can to provide for them.

Organized in 2002, TMH Foundation helped raise funds to build the new hospital and has since assumed the role of keeping it equipped with the latest technology.

“Today, the Foundation’s focus is on continually raising the bar of quality at TMH by providing cutting-edge equipment for physicians and nurses to use — and vital services to the community,” according to a TMH Foundation newsletter.

The Foundation first earned its stripes during the capital campaign launched in 2005, during which it raised more than $1.2 million from corporations, businesses and individual donors in the community to fund the new hospital building.

“Because we had such tremendous support from the community and this capital campaign, it made us eligible for grants,” said TMH Foundation Director Eva Peroulis. “When you show you have community support of $1.2 million, it’s great. During that time we received over $600,000 in grants.”

orthopedics, a new Picture Archiving Communication System for medical images, and to make improvements to its electronic medical records system.

prioritize it elsewhere,” said TMH Chief of Marketing and Business Development Jennifer Riley. “It really makes a difference in a patient’s experience.”

“To be able to ask the Foundation for funding is a big relief to us because then it allows us to take our revenue and

Currently, the Foundation is putting its attention on pediatrics.

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In recent years, the Foundation has helped the hospital purchase a cardiac ultrasound machine for the Emergency Department, a digital mammography machine, surgical equipment for

Photo by Lauren Blair

The Memorial Hospital Foundation board members stand amongst several pieces of equipment in the emergency department that were funded by the Foundation, including a SonoSite ultrasound, left, a glide scope to assist with visualization during intubation, in front, and an electronic medical records display, above. From left to right: Jennifer Riley, Jeannie Thornberry, Cathrine Blevins, Eva Peroulis, Alman Nicodemus, Kristine Cooper and John Rossfeld.

Helping You is what we do best.

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“Our services are growing in this area and we just want to make children more comfortable in the hospital,” Peroulis said.

One recently acquired grant will fund the remodel of an Emergency Department room to tailor it to younger patients’ needs, equipping it with a rocking chair and kid-friendly equipment and décor.

Another grant will fund two media carts that can be wheeled into kids’ rooms, each boasting a 32-inch TV, DVD player, an Xbox with games, an iPad and movies.

“They help us as providers to work to the best of our ability, to have equipment and supplies that otherwise

a critical access hospital may not be able to purchase,” said pediatrician and Foundation board physician representative Kristie Yarmer. “We want our patients to feel like if they could go to any pediatrician of their choice in any city, they could not get better care.”

The Foundation is also active within the community, sponsoring a bike helmet drive which provided helmets to more than 200 Moffat County kids in 2013, and the annual Missoula Children’s Theatre production.

“The Foundation is the place you can go to say, ‘Hey, this could be fantastic for the community. How can we work to make that happen?’” Peroulis said.

“The Foundation really does support the health of the community by providing resources and services that we might have to wait a while to obtain otherwise.”

Contact Lauren Blair at 970-875-1794 or lblair@CraigDailyPress.com.

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press

Making a Difference

Senior Social Center

Continued from page 11

Bear River Young Life Though it wasn’t exactly what she expected when she got involved about a year ago, Rowley said she hopes to have made a difference in kids’ lives.

February 27, 2015

Neighbor helping Neighbor,

that’s what it’s all about!

“The most rewarding part of it for me is when the chaos dies down and I can have some connections, talking with them,” she said.

In his time working with Young Life over the years, Pressgrove has seen dozens, even hundreds of kids in the region who have taken part in activities, and sometimes the level of involvement is immediately apparent in how they grow up, while for others the impact shows up later.

Photo by Andy Bockelman

Couples sway to the sounds of Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" during the Sock Hop fundraiser for the Senior Social Center held in November night at the Moffat County Fairgrounds Pavilion. The dance for all ages included concessions, door prizes and more. The Senior Social Center has gained momentum in the last year hosting events like the Sock Hop. The nonprofit also hosts Coffee and a Conversation each Tuesday where Moffat County senior citizens play cards, drink coffee, eat pastries and visit with each other at the Bell Tower building in Craig. The goal is to have a place where that segment of the population can get out of the house and socialize with one and other. Guest speakers often speak at the weekly Coffee and a Conversation event.

The Senior Social Center also hosts monthly board meeting where they discuss funding and other topics important to seniors.

Rotary Club of Craig Downtown Business Association Craig Photography Club Chamber Board Human Resource Council Allocation Committee Festival of Trees Joint Economic Development Advisory Committee Colorado Workforce Investment Board Foster Care School Volunteer Animal Shelter Chamber Ambassador Forget Me Not Foundation

“It’s hard to measure, but I think about 10 years down the road, we’ll be able to say, ‘Oh, yeah, that worked,’” Pressgrove said.

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-8751793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress. com.

| 15

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and the Print Shop want to thank everyone in our community who works together to Make A Difference.

We also would like to recognize the involvement of our own employees in area activities.

16 | February 27, 2015

Making a Difference

A Supplement to the Craig Daily Press