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Coats and more for kids

This year Englewood Rotary donated winter clothing (coats, boots, gloves, hats, fleeces) to 52 children at the Village Preschool for Early Childhood Education in Littleton. It's a project the club has done for more than 25 years -- begun by member Dr. Frank Sargent.

Back then, the school was affiliated with what is now Integrated Family Community Services. The school's director told IFCS Board Member Dr. Sargent that some of the children in the Head Start program were coming to school without shoes or coats. He organized Rotary's collection of winter clothing (and toys back then), as well as a holiday party for the kids.

This year, Marcy Foster, School Counselor, provided the names and sizes for each of the children. Kristine Wallen at Englewood Walmart assisted with shopping for the required clothing, as she has for many years. It's a huge pile at the check-out counter -- imagine 52 puffy coats! And all the rest.

As a community service effort, members of the Englewood High School girls' basketball team sorted and packaged the clothing into red Santa bags. The club and the team have partnered for a number of years. Rotarian volunteers delivered the gifts to the Village preschool on December 2nd.

Funding for the project was provided by a Rotary District Grant ($1,730), as well as community fund-raising by the Englewood Rotary Foundation ($1,730). An Englewood Rotarian added to the total to make it all possible. In recent years members Josh Staller and Bruce Spear have spearheaded the project.

Ringing the bell -- for 25 years?

We spent a Saturday ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at the King Soopers on Broadway in Englewood. The shoppers were generous, and we gave away a lot of smiles. Like Rotary, the Salvation Army is an international organization, operating in 134 countries around the world. Locally, the Corps has a food pantry, delivers food to seniors in need, and has multiple programs for children and teens. Englewood Rotary has been ringing the bell for perhaps as many as 25 years, mostly under the leadership of Dawn Shepherd, above, with Shawn Lewis, a recent club president.

Also doing two-hour shifts recently were longtime Rotarian Gary Sears, left, a former Englewood City Manager, and Pastor Jeff Rainwater of Hope United Methodist Church, also a Rotarian. Right, Bob Burdick and Patty Burnett are one of the club's married couples. The club offers a special rate for the second participant.

KayeCee Lindley, Rotary's most recent volunteers, joined another newish member, Chris Forrest.

Knitting for a good cause

Elsa Hummel, the wife of our late member Franz, shares our love of Service Above Self. She knitted 18 warm scarves and donated them to Movement 5280, an Englewood organization that helps youth and young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The group has a clothing bank where guests will find the scarves and perhaps understand the love and care Elsa put in them. Gary Sears, a longtime Englewood Rotarian, helped Elsa deliver the gifts recently.

$100,000! for more scholarships

Dan Burnham, center, presented a check for $100,000 to the Englewood Rotary Foundation and its scholarship program. Josh Staller is president of the foundation board, and Dawn Shepherd is an avid member of the scholarship committee, as well as a former executive director of the Littleton Housing Authority. The $100,000 came from a Housing Authority scholarship effort that has been inactive in recent years.

It's not every day that someone hands you a $100,000 check. Englewood Rotary had that kind of exceptional day recently.

The gift will enable Englewood Rotary to offer more scholarships to graduating students of Englewood High School and Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice.

The $100,000 gift came from a scholarship program previously run by the Littleton Housing Authority. The agency, now operating with the name South Metro Housing Options, is currently redeveloping its housing portfolio for families with children, who were the original beneficiaries of the scholarship fund.

Englewood Rotary is uniquely equipped to award and administer scholarships. The club, through its foundation, has been awarding and administering scholarships since the 1970s. This year the club gave seven scholarships totaling $24,500.

Dan Burnham, former executive director of the housing authority and board chair of the Littleton scholarship program, presented the check at a recent club meeting.

"Englewood Rotary is honored to accept this bequest, and we are committed to preserving the memory of the Beau DeVane Veyette scholarship," said Josh Staller, president of the Englewood Rotary Foundation.

Beau Veyette was the son of former housing authority employee Jean Veyette Simmons. Tragically, Beau died at 14. Upon his death, friends and family gave contributions in his name. Simmons, who died in 2022, also designated a gift to the scholarship fund in her will.

Rotarian Dawn Shepherd was executive director of the housing authority when Beau died. At the club meeting she shared Beau’s story. “The last time I saw Beau he was selling me a poinsettia.” It was a fundraising effort to help his music group travel for a performance. "He couldn’t afford to go himself, but he was selling lots of poinsettias to benefit others. That was Beau,” Shepherd said.

And then one day she got a call from Beau’s mother. “I can’t come into work today. Beau has died.” Shepherd and Burnham went to her side.

Later, they created the scholarship program to honor his life. And then this year they worked together to give the funds to Englewood Rotary and its scholarship program.

Shepherd said, “The story of Beau’s death is heart-breaking, but the story of how a fund created in his name will continue to help other young people is heart-warming.”

Burnham said to the club, “Your values are in line with our values.” It’s a good fit.

There was applause.

We sold 'em!

We had lots of volunteers helping with the peach distribution at Englewood Civic Center. Here's a core group: Bob, Patty, Josh, Elizabeth, Shawn.

We had a great peach sale -- sold almost 300 boxes! Big thank yous go to our Organizer in Chief Josh Staller and to our top seller, Susan VanDyke.

We're still tabulating the take, but we sold more boxes than last year, so it's safe to say that we'll have a healthy pot o' money. Some of that will go to buying winter clothes -- coats, hats, gloves and some extras -- for about 50 preschoolers from low-income families. We've been doing this for more than 25 years. This year we've also won a grant from our Rotary District to pay for half the cost, which means our peach money will go even farther to additional good deeds.

Woo hoo!

Our day on the assembly line

Englewood Rotary volunteers at the Backpack Society on Rotary's Epic Day of Service, May 18

Forty Rotarians were on the assembly line at the Backpack Society in Highlands Ranch Saturday. We filled 1,000 bags with food that will go into the backpacks of local school students who are struggling with food insecurity, help that is the Backpack Society’s mission.

Into the bags went canned chili, soup and vegetables; mac and cheese mix, fruit cups, cheese, chips, granola bars, instant oatmeal, and more – food that can sustain a student over a weekend when there are no free breakfasts and lunches at school. It’s food they’re likely to eat, and food they alone can prepare.

The volunteers were from the Rotary Club of Denver Metro South, some community partners, and the Rotary Club of Englewood, which also made a financial contribution.

The volunteer effort was part of the Epic Day of Service, declared by Rotary clubs in Colorado and Wyoming to make a big difference in the lives of people in their communities all on one day.

“What an Epic Day,” said Brianna Sherman, president of the Denver Metro South Club and a key organizer of the major event.

“More than 60 clubs participated, conducting 59 community service projects all over Colorado. It was an exciting day, where our Rotarians and community members could feel the impact they were making.”

Latest Spirit of Rotary winners

Club President Shawn Lewis, left, with Spirit of Rotary Award winners Kelli Doane, Ana Alicia Ramirez and Jacob Cain, with Englewood School Superintendent Joanna Polzin, who also is an Englewood Rotarian

The Rotary Club of Englewood recently bestowed its Spirit of Rotary Awards in the field of education upon three outstanding faculty members in Englewood Schools.

They are Kelli Doane, a paraeducator at Bishop Elementary School; Ana Alicia Ramirez, a school psychologist at Charles Hay World School, and Jacob Cain, culinary arts teacher at Englewood High School.

The awards were presented at a celebratory lunch hosted by the Rotary Club at the Malley Center.

Shawn Lewis, Rotary club president, said, “We were awed by the talents and dedication of our three award recipients. Englewood is fortunate to have these extraordinary people guiding its children.”

Doane has a 16-year history in Englewood Schools. In her nomination, Sheri Spenhoff, principal at Bishop, commended Doane for engaging students through high-quality learning, creating a community of belonging and showing “incredible care.”

Ramirez was cited for always thinking of ways to create an inclusive climate and culture. She is the lead for the special education program at her school, and often attends after-school and evening programs to connect with students’ families.

Cain is a very popular teacher with both students and the wider community. He and his students often provide meals and food for school, staff and community events. Diana Zakhem, Director of Secondary Success, said Cain’s commitment to “exposing students to the culinary industry and then creating opportunities for them to grow in this field is commendable.”

Englewood Rotary, a service club of 23 men and women, is best known for its support of Englewood Schools. This year the club awarded $24,500 in scholarships to graduating seniors at Englewood High and Colorado’s Finest High School of Choice.

The club previously has awarded Spirit of Rotary Awards to leaders in business and nonprofit organizations, as well as to first responders, including police and fire services. Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self,” and the Spirit of Rotary awards go to people who exemplify that wisdom.

Rotary hosts Chamber members

Englewood Rotary is a longtime member of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce. In January we hosted the First Friday Coffee at the Malley Center.

It was a great turnout of about 30 Chamber businesspeople networking and getting to know more about Rotary.

We care and we serve

Club President Shawn Lewis and Community Service Chair Elizabeth Wilhelm

Dawn Shepherd is the club's Salvation Army Organizer

We’ve been busy!

Englewood Rotarians rang the bell for the Salvation Army. Thank you, Dawn, who has arranged our bell ringing for maybe 20 years? Longer? Could be. The club itself contributed $250.

And thank you ringers President Shawn, members Elizabeth, Gary, Steve, Bob and Patty – and their granddaughter Evelyn, 11, who enticed many givers.

At the Englewood tree lighting ceremony recently, we were there with hot cider and lots of good cheer.

For about 25 years our club has provided winter clothes and sometimes toys to preschoolers at the Village for Early Childhood Education, and its predecessor school. This year we delivered coats, boots, gloves, hats, sweatshirts and sweatpants for 42 children. Our Foundation president, Josh Staller, led this project. Member Bruce Spear helped with transporting this large amount of clothing. We are indebted to Kristine Wallen at Walmart for selecting the clothes in the right sizes, and to the Englewood High School Girls Basketball Team for sorting and bagging the gifts.

We also supported the Hoodies for Heroes program at Englewood High School. This program recognizes

students for kindness, integrity, altruism – being a friend others can depend upon. Our club has provided funding for the hoodies given as awards.

And then we sent $1,500 to Movement 5280, a local nonprofit that helps young people, including those who have aged out of foster care, and who are unhoused or at risk of being unhoused. This amazing program provides a wide range of support, including mental health counseling.

We collected gloves for their clients, and delivered about 30 pairs. We also have contributed five, fully stocked tool boxes for their clients who graduate into their first apartments on their own.

For Thanksgiving we supplied a LOT of nonperishable food for families in need. Englewood Schools, in partnership with some nonprofit organizations, had a goal of providing 100 families in need with Thanksgiving dinner food. We estimate that our club provided nonperishables for at least 25.

We were also in partnership with the Denver Metro South Rotary Club to provide dinner for the Englewood High School football team’s Awards Night. We contributed $500 and some volunteers.

So, as I said, we’ve been busy! Here’s to a Happy New Year and more opportunities for community service. Coming soon: Our scholarship application period. We'll be awarding $15,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors from Englewood High School and Colorado's Finest High School of Choice. – Patty Burnett

RYLA was great!

Here they are! Our fabulous RYLArians from 2023. Josie Van Hoeven, Erin Altenhofen, Jayce Prantz, Ashlyn Stapleton and Maddie Van Hoeven.

RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and actually means a five-day camp teaching teamwork, leadership, community and friendship. These lucky students attended this year at the beautiful YMCA camp in Estes Park. They reported their experiences to the club at a recent meeting. Almost all of the students we've sent to RYLA over maybe 20 years return and say the experience changed their lives. These students also came home thrilled with all they learned about core values and themselves.

It's a new Rotary year!

Rotary Years begin July 1, with a new international president and his or her new theme. Our new RI leader is R. Gordon McInally of Scotland. His theme is: Create Hope in the World, as shown on the new banner in this photo. Assistant Governor Robert Mintz presented the banner and theme pin to club president Shawn Lewis at our first meeting of the new year.

This year, Gordon is focused on three presidential initiatives that Create Hope in the World: prioritizing mental health, building peace through virtual exchanges, and empowering girls.

As our club looks to our new year, we'll no doubt be considering how we also can Create Hope in the World.

Hooray for our Scholars!

Our club loves the students of Englewood. Our main outreach has been bestowing scholarships -- as much as $190,000 over the years.

This April we gave six graduating seniors scholarships of $2,500 to help pay for their first year of college. Our Scholarship Committee of Josh Staller, Bruce Spear, Dawn Shepherd and Vee Sabel had the very hard job of narrowing down a field of 16 wonderful students to just six.

We were thrilled to have five of the six and their parents (and a girlfriend) attend a meeting lunch. It was great getting to know these students and hear about their dreams for their futures.

The students are Luis Chavez (not shown), headed to Metropolitan State University of Denver; Rebeca Aguilar-Saguilan, also going to Metro; Isaiah Segoviano, Colorado State University at Mesa; Kingston Jones, University of Nevada-Las Vegas; Ruby Lopez-Luna, Colorado State University; Diamond Essel, also going to Colorado State University. Rebeca attends Colorado's Finest High School of Choice, and the others are at Englewood High School.

Congratulations, students!

Honoring First Responders

From left: Englewood Police Chief Sam Watson, award recipient Officer Matt Creaghe,

recipient Sergeant Reid McGrath, Lt. Alex Dorgan from Station 37 in Englewood, recipient Brad Thayer,

Deputy Chief Robert Murphy accepting for recipient Brad Balding, Rotary President Shawn Lewis

Two Englewood Police officers and a district chief and captain from the Denver Fire Department, which serves Englewood, have received Spirit of Rotary Awards as First Responders of the Year.

Englewood Rotary created the Spirit of Rotary Awards this Rotary year to recognize leaders, doers and high achievers in our community.

“First responders – police, firefighters, paramedics – are critical to public safety. Englewood Rotary is proud to present these awards and our deep appreciation to these four people who have shown exceptional service this year,” said Club President Shawn Lewis at the recent presentation.

During the presentation Rotarian Patty Burnett characterized first responders as Real Life Super-Heroes.

Englewood Police Officer Matt Creaghe received his Spirit of Rotary Award for his initiative in the job of School Resource Officer for Englewood Schools. He has developed valuable relationships with staff, students and the greater school community.

Sergeant Reid McGrath was honored for his 31 years with the Englewood Police Department, and a total of 40 in law enforcement. Sgt. McGrath recently retired. His work in mental wellness and alternative policing programs has made Englewood Police one of the most progressive departments in the state and in the country, according to the department chief.

Denver Fire’s District 7 Chief Brad Balding received his Spirit of Rotary Award in recognition of his successful role in integrating coverage of Englewood into the Denver Fire system, ensuring that members of Stations 37 and 38 know the resources and policies of Englewood. Service in Englewood began in 2015.

Captain Brad Thayer was cited for methodically building Station 37 into one known for its professionalism, pride and community service commitment. He worked well with city planners as they navigated a major remodeling and upgrading of that station serving Englewood, his nomination said.

Spirit of Rotary Awards have also recognized leaders in business and the nonprofit sector. A fourth recognition in the spring will honor leaders in education.

Winter Membership Drive

As part of our winter membership drive, we want to schedule you to join us for lunch! Space is limited, so click here to sign up to join us for lunch!

Basketball team pitches in for us

The Girls Basketball Team of Englewood High School sorted winter clothes and packed them up for the 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds at The Village for Early Childhood Education in Littleton.

Englewood Rotary has provided these children with winter coats, gloves, hats and boots for 25 years. In some years we also provided toys.

The project was the passion of Dr. Frank Sargent, a member of the club for more than 50 years. This year members Josh Staller and Bruce Spear coordinated the effort, with the help of Kristine Wallen at Englewood Walmart. Kristine has pulled the clothes, in exact requested sizes, for many years. It's a community service from Walmart and Kristine.

The club greatly appreciates the support of the Girls Basketball Team. We're hoping they have a great year on the court and together in service to our community.

Rotary honors local business leaders

Awards winners with Englewood Rotary President Shawn Lewis, right: Tiffany Fixter, Lindsey Runyan, George Gratis, Brian Hart

Brian Hart of Frame de Art is Business Leader of the Year, an award made by the Rotary Club of Englewood. The club also awarded George Gastis of Grow + Gather as Entrepreneur of the Year.

The awards are part of an annual program by Rotary to recognize the people of Englewood who care about our community and its people and demonstrate that care through exceptional leadership and service.

Honorees were nominated by local citizens.

Runner-up nominees received Spirit of Rotary Awards. These honorees were Lindsey Runyan, interim executive director of the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, Tiffany Fixter of Brewability & Pizzability, and Kelly Vigil and Tommy Scarborough of CO CEO Solutions.

Brian believes in Englewood and has a long history of community service. Most recently he is sponsoring a student art calendar and is donating the matting and framing of all student art pieces.

George had the vision, commitment and tenacity to convert an old car service garage into a wonderful urban farm and restaurant. Grow + Gather is a creative venture, serving the Wellness District and beyond.

Lindsey also serves on the board of the Englewood Historic Preservation Society and does graphic design for some of Englewood's best known non profit organizations, including this club.

Tiffany, a former special education teacher, created a business that employs people with disabilities, giving them purpose and dignity. Brewability is a craft brewery and restaurant on Broadway.

Kitchen crew at Cafe 180

Club members volunteered recently in the kitchen of Cafe 180, whose mission is to feed people, regardless of their ability to pay. Those who are unable to pay simply exchange their time and energy for a nutritious meal. It's a great community service.

Shawn was on pizza duty, Josh and Bob did the dishes, Patty made salads and Vee delivered the delicious food to the diners.

A fun way to help.

Hoodies for H.E.R.O.E.S.

These Englewood High School students received their Hoodies for H.E.R.O.E.S. this quarter. Popular athletic brand hoodies go to students who have shown their true character by being helpful to others and treating others with respect. H.E.R.O.E.S. stands for:

H. - Helping others

E. - Effort shown in being a good person

R. - Respect for oneself and others

O. - Ownership of self and actions

E. - exemplifies Courage and strength through adversity or hardship

S. - showing Kindness and compassion for others

The honorees this quarter are Millie Townsell, Naomi Vazque, Dulce Rodriguez, Dana Martinez, David Martinez, Jeremiah Wittington, Tanzer Labbe and Jose Gurrola.

The program was created by Michele and Mike Campbell. She's an adolescent psychotherapist (LPC) in private practice specializing in teen girls. He is a teacher and head football coach at EHS. Teachers nominate the students, who receive their hoodies at a school-wide recognition ceremony. In Michele's words: "We feel that it is important to highlight those qualities and celebrate those students."

Englewood Rotarians Josh Staller, far left, and Dawn Shepherd, far right, were there for the presentation. Hoodies Heroes and Rotarians have much in common. Rotarians' core values, a sure indicator of strong character, are embodied in the Four-Way Test, which Englewood Rotarians recite at every meeting. It's a code of ethics about truth, fairness, friendship and respect.

Englewood Rotary has signed on as permanent sponsor for Hoodies for Heroes, providing funding for the jackets and certificates.