Community Catch - November 2022
“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.”

- Mary Anne Radmacher

You can help create light for families in need by making a donation today! All gifts made on our Colorado Gives page from now through December 6th go even further by earning us a portion of the $1.4 million Colorado Gives Day Incentive Fund. 

When you donate to FISH, 95 cents of every dollar goes directly to the neighbors we serve. Gifts of all sizes make a big difference in our work to prevent hunger and homelessness! 

Why We Call Her
"Karen Steele the GREAT"

Earlier this month, a beloved member of our FISH Family, Karen Steele, was recognized by Congressman Joe Neguse and received the Volunteer of the Year award. This award is given to an individual who has made a significant impact in their community. Karen goes above and beyond in so many ways through her service to Broomfield FISH, Broomfield Open Space Foundation, Broomfield Nature Programs and Broomfield VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster). Kristan Pritz, Director of Open Space and Trails, nominated Karen for this honor. In her letter, Kristan stated, ”Karen is a master at building a positive team spirit. She brings wisdom, leadership, and fun to volunteering. Other volunteers enjoy serving with Ms. Steele. Her heartfelt concern for Broomfield instills a desire in other volunteers to give their best." Congratulations, Karen, for this well-deserved award!
Volunteer Spotlight:
Rotary Club of Broomfield Crossing
Shown are members of Broomfield Crossing Rotary Club gathered after a meeting to label bags used for repackaging.
Prior to the COVID pandemic, Rotary Club of Broomfield Crossing had adopted the oatmeal shelf in our marketplace. With the pandemic, they stopped holding in-person meetings and were unable to collect the oatmeal donations. One of their members, Jeff Taylor, came up with the idea to purchase oatmeal in 50lb sacks and repackage it into family portions at their offsite facility to deliver to FISH. They continued to do this each month, eventually adding pinto beans to the repackaging efforts thanks to the contributions of Rotary Club members. In 2021, they approached FISH about repackaging other bulk items that we purchase. They continued to do this each week through 2021 and into early 2022.

With funds from the Broomfield Crossing Rotary Foundation, the Broomfield Evening Rotary Club, and the Westminster Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Broomfield Crossing applied for and received a District Grant to expand their bulk-food repackaging efforts. With this collective $14,000, they were able to start purchasing detergent, white flour, rice, sugar, salt, and corn flour to add to the oatmeal and beans they were repackaging. Members of the Rotary Club and others gather at the iPIE commissary kitchen in Louisville each week to repackage 600lbs of these bulk items for Broomfield FISH. They work with our Food Operations Manager, Mike Lutz, so that they can offer the most-needed items. Since May 2022, they have repackaged more than 23,000 pounds of bulk product totaling almost $13,000 worth of food and personal care items. This includes the items provided by the club as well as by the District Grant.

The District Grant will continue through April 2023, when they anticipate applying for an additional grant to extend the program. In addition to the product purchased, Broomfield Crossing Rotary Club, along with help from a local P.E.O. Chapter, have put in an estimated over 1,500 hours of volunteer service toward the goals of this project.

In this season of giving, anyone who would like to help feed our community through this project may donate funds to the Broomfield Crossing Rotary Foundation. In addition, for each $50, you can receive a gift card representing a donation of a 50-pound bag of oatmeal or beans in honor of a loved one. Contact Gary McKee at toptrack@msn.com for more information.
Shown are Jeff Taylor, Bill Muirheid, Gary McKee, Jeff Jones, Holly Taylor, and Sharyn Breslin preparing to repackage white flour for Broomfield FISH.
2023 Calendar Supports FISH

You can now order a 2023 Skyestone calendar for $13 each, $7 of which will be directly donated to FISH. All photographs in the calendar are taken by Skyestone residents. Please send a check for $13 made out to Linda Berteau to 10786 Bear Cub Drive, Broomfield, CO 80021. Prepayment must be received by 12/15/22. If you have any questions, please reach out to Linda at musicats420@ecentral.com.
Caring for Colorado Together!


If you show this flyer to your server during our dine out night from 4 pm - 8 pm on Tuesday, December 6th, a portion of the proceeds from your meal will be donated back to our Caring for Broomfield Together nonprofits! PLUS, if you are 21 years or older and you show us the flyer that evening, you will receive one free New Belgium beer (while supplies last)! We will cheers to that!
If you need a tax receipt, please select the "gift option" while ordering.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Our partners at A Precious Child are holding a Christmas Extravaganza event on Saturday, December 3rd for families impacted by the Marshall Fires to re-build their collection of handmade holiday decorations that they may have lost. There will be a variety of different activity stations for families to get in the holiday spirit including decorating stockings, making ornaments, picking out gifts, and more!
Up and Coming
 
  • Help keep our community healthy, safe, and strong by getting vaccinated! To learn about COVID vaccine opportunities in Broomfield, please click here.
  • Bal Swan Children's Center will be hosting their 2023 "Our Future is in Bloom" Ball on February 25, 2023. Register for tickets here.
  • If you are a parent looking for extra resources, you can find more offerings from Broomfield Early Childhood Council here.
  • SAVE THE DATE! Broomfield FISH's 2023 Embracing Hope Luncheon will be held on Thursday, October 26th, 2023 at the Lionsgate Event Center. More details to follow...