Inspired by TV hit Shark Tank, South Metro Denver Chamber hosts The Tank

This fifth annual fundraiser continues to bring the for-profits and not-for-profits in our community together. Amazing organizations and their current needs were revealed in a virtual program this year for The Tank. “This would not be possible without generous businesses,” said President and CEO of South MetroDenver Chamber (SMDC), Jeff Keener. The Presenting Sponsor was Charles Schwab in Lone Tree with an onscreen segment by Managing Director Community Services, Casey Cortese. “Giving is the responsibility of corporate citizens, making meaningful contributions,” she said. In the founding video, Charles Schwab talked about the cycles and persistence being the heartbeat of this country. Platinum sponsors were: AAA Colorado, Footers Catering, and Lightsail Video. Gold Sponsors: 1 st Bank, LS Design Marketing, The Sanctuary Golf Course, Silver Sponsors: Alpine Bank, ColoradoBiz Magazine, Colorado SBDC-Aurora/South Metro SBDC, Farmer’s Insurance – Kathy Wells Insurance Agency, Inc. and First Western Trust Bank.

From the comfort of their homes, hosts for the day, Meghann Conter and Ron Ben-Joseph joked that they didn’t even have to wear pants for the production. AAA Colorado’s Skylar McKinley said: “Fundraising is the lifeblood of supporting the community.”Platinum sponsor Tom Barr, President and Executive Producer of Lightsail Video talked about his company’s job being to tell a story. “Nonprofits can tell you about experiences that you would otherwise not know."

Nonprofits are chosenby the SMSC committee from an application process and normally have exhibits at the event. This year, four local nonprofits pitched their unique programs via video. The Sharks interacted with the presenters as usual. Shark categories included Great White Shark – Chris Tyrell of Chris’s Garage Doors. Bull Sharks were Lonnie Glessner of Draper & Kramer Mortgage and Ali Blaylock of Philadelphia Insurance. Tiger Sharks were: Express Employment Professionals – Littleton, H.M. Brown & Associates, Mint Health Clinics – Lone Tree, NerdsToGo and Perigee Consulting Inc. In addition, Tiger Sharks included Lauren Atherton of Heartspark Design and Ken Migaki of Kenneth Migaki.

Anthony Lambatos who has been with the event since its inception gave his message extolling staff members and gave a quote from Steve Jobs: “Love what you do!” Boo Cosby was a spokesperson for Café 180 in Englewood operating since 2010. The nonprofit is seeking $10,000 to provide 2,000 more meals that will impact some of the most vulnerable. A full belly equals a full heart. The establishment offers a safe place with love, respect, and service. Nonprofits always plan for the unexpected but didn’t expect COVID. Café 180 donated 500 meals to first responders and over 4,000 total to quarantines and shut-ins. The concept is a “hand up.” If diners cannot afford

COVERED brings awareness to the cruelty of sex trafficking and exploitation. The presentation was by Johanna Spille. The goal at Covered is to empower each sex trafficking survivor with the hope that leads to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing and eradicate sex trafficking in Colorado. It costs $7,500 for safe housing for one survivor and child who really need a two-year program to create a community of love and support to get back on their feet and escape the cycle. Covered helped 28 last year but had to turn away 52. Statistics are staggering – over one million were enslaved and abused in the U.S. last year. Many struggle with suicide and the level of trauma.

Drennen’s Dreams Foundation, presented by Scott Henderson is a national drowning prevention and water safety nonprofit organization founded by Bill and Melissa O’Melia, their friends and community. Drennen was the victim of a tragic drowning accident. In his memory, the primary focus of Drennen’s Dreams is promoting drowning prevention and education of aquatics professionals to ensure that no more unnecessary deaths occur. In the U.S., there are 10 drownings per day- 3,600 annually and 1,000 are young children. The nonprofit is seeking $7,500 to support a mobile app to raise awareness and prevention with

Hope’s Promise was presented by Rachel Bates and provides adoption services, orphan care and pregnancy counseling and was just approved for foster care. Through its ministry of adoption and orphan care, the nonprofit walks with expectant parents, hopeful adoptive families, and orphaned children around the world through life’s difficult chapters and educating pregnant women about their options and preventing them from being preyed upon by out-of-state agencies. The nonprofit is seeking $10,000 to counsel and support 100 more women vulnerable to solicitation.

Contributions can still be made to these charities through Friday, July 24 by going to: https//www.mightycause.com/ event/2020tank.