March 2013 Newsletter

Spring 2013
Suzanne Greene
Executive Director
Staff
John Beckwith
Kathy D’Amore
Jenny Follmer
Rodolfo Gallegos
Andrew McGregor
Joe Roos
Christine Sbarra
Jude Schouweiler
Sandy Sexton
Steve Willis
Board of Directors
Sherene Miller, Chair
Patti Owen-DeLay, Vice Chair
Nino DiMatteo, Treasurer
Jeff Town, Secretary
Holly Gorman
Pamela Jenkins
Lori Nebelsick-Gullett
Randy Reed
Carla Turner
Advisory Board
Merril Jaeger
Joan Sjostrom
Associates
Priscilla Linsley, Grant writer
MISSION STATEMENT
The Douglas/Elbert Task Force
endeavors to meet the immediate
needs of residents of Douglas and
Elbert County who are in financial
distress and at risk of becoming
homeless, to help them work through
troublesome times with dignity.
Federal Tax ID 74-2395223
WEBSITE:
Like us on facebook
Task Force Volunteer
Receives Channel 7 Everyday Hero Award
CASTLE ROCK, Colo. - Have we got a bargain for
you. It is a big thrift shop tucked away in Douglas
County. It can save you money while helping
hundreds of families in financial distress.
The Douglas/Elbert Task Force thrift store,
Treasures on Park St. has been around for 29 years.
Volunteer Connie Huydts has given her time at the
store from the beginning. "We started in a garage,"
said Huydts. Treasures is filled with bargains:
clothes, house wares, children's toys, you name it.
The Douglas/Elbert Task Force is located in Castle
Rock. It provides emergency assistance to the people
of Douglas and Elbert counties thanks in large part to
Treasures on Park St. right next door.
"The myth is there is no poverty in Douglas
county. And believe me, that is a myth. We have
almost 16,000 people that we served just this last year," said Suzanne Greene,
Douglas/Elbert Task Force's executive director. The Task Force even has a food
bank for those in need and much more. "We pay portions of people's rent and
utilities. We pay GED fees. We do new birthday gifts for kids, just a whole host
of things," said Greene.
Huydts helps in the shoe department but her real gift is her concern for
others. "To me this is important because there are so many people out there who
need our help," said Huydts. "Every agency has a heart and Connie is at the heart
of the agency," said Greene. "She just lifts everybody's spirit, is so dedicated and
is here all the time. She is the heart and soul of this place," said Joseph Roos,
director of philanthropy for the Douglas/Elbert Task Force.
People from all walks of life come to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force thrift
shop to find bargains. They leave with full hearts. "Like they say: 'Did you hug
your child today?' Well, when you come in here we
hug each other," said Huydts. The Douglas Elbert/
Task Force thrift shop, Treasures on Park St. is at
1638 Park St. in Castle Rock, west of I-25 (exit
182) and 1/3 miles north of Wolfensberger Road.
(author Mitch Jelniker, from the Channel 7 Everyday Hero
page) www.denverchannel.com
Annual Partner
LOVE IS ENDURING
A bell isn’t a bell until you ring it, a song isn’t a song until you sing it.
A love that was put in us wasn’t put there to stay. Love isn’t love until you give it away.
A Note of Gratitude
The PGA is a Task Force Holiday Sponsor
I am just writing to thank all of your
employees and volunteers. As someone who is
struggling right now, it's very comforting to know that
not only is there a program out there for people like
myself, but more importantly, you have such a
wonderful staff that doesn't make you feel like just a
number. I was treated with respect. What a
wonderful feeling to have when someone, such as
myself, has a bit of embarrassment asking for
help. Whatever fears I may have had were completely
removed because of the respect and caring I was
treated with. Thank you so much. Continue to do
what you do. You have made a family a little more
comforted tonight.
Anonymous
The Parker Golf Association (PGA) cares about those in
need in Douglas and Elbert counties.
“We’re your friends and neighbors who love the game of
golf and love to help out,” said one member.
PGA members live and work primarily in Parker,
Franktown, Elizabeth and Castle Rock.
The group has been helping those in need since the 1990’s,
and the members have seen first-hand the tragedies created from job
losses, illness and other family emergency situations. They know
that extending a hand is vital to healthy families and healthy
communities.
The group works with local food banks, churches and
community assistance organizations to identify those families it can
assist. The group prefers to remain anonymous as it assists those
with grave need.
2012 Santa’s Sharing Sponsors and Donors
Thanks to the overwhelming kindness in our community, the Santa Sharing holiday adopt-a-family program connected families in
need with generous sponsors and donors. Each year, we are thrilled to make these anonymous connections. Kindhearted sponsors
graciously pay for all sorts of necessities and gifts for a family giving our less fortunate neighbors a happier and more hopeful holiday. Other donors provide toys, gift cards and in a few instances cash to take care of a particular pressing need. This past Christmas
951 people were provided gifts of toys, clothing, food, gift cards and cash by 124 sponsors. Statistically this was the biggest year yet
with 16% more clients helped and 18% more sponsor/donor participants than last year.
We are SO very pleased to recognize the following holiday sponsors and donors:
Aldred, John & Nancy
Arapahoe Comm. College,
Castle Rock
Atzmiller, Paul & Cheryl
Bank of Amerca/Merrill Lynch
Bannell Custom Decks and Basement
Bartee, Jennifer
Bear Canyon Elementary
Bonner, Joe & Carlene
Brodin Family (Bob & Lisa)
Canyon Comm Church/Christ the King
Castle Pines Mission
Castle Rock Care Center
Castle Rock Elementary Staff
Castle Rock Fire & Rescue - B Shift
(Eric Morganthaler)
Castle Rock Fire Dept. Explorers
(Joe Dell)
Castle Rock Methodist, Leah's Circle
Castle Rock Optimist Club
Castle Rock Stars (Nate Tucker)
Center for Spiritual Living of
Castle Rock
Chouinard, Amy
Civitan of Castle Rock
Club at Pradera, The
Conover Family (Kelly)
Copperfalls Spa & Salon
Cornerstone Presbyterian
Crave Real Burgers
Cub Scout Pack 721 (Jeff Pepper)
Davidson, Deborah & son
Davis, Erin
DCS Montessori Charter School
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DeSanto, Kristen
Douglas County Government - Traffic
Douglas County Libraries
Drug Enforcement Administration Centennial
Evans, Cyndi Family
Evolution Digital
Faith Lutheran Ladies Group
Faith Lutheran Preschool
FirstBank
Gandy, Joan
Garcia, Yvonne Family
Garvin, Philip & Angela
Gengel, Tiffeny family
Girl Scout Troop 3257 (Heidi Grijalva)
Girl Scout Troop 908 (Kristi Owens)
Gonzalez, JoAnn
Graffiti, Mark (Cub Scouts)
Halker Consulting, LLC
Hanson, Linda
Harrison & Brust Families
Highlands Ranch Dental Care/
Lynelle Zabel, DDS
Hill, Steve/Marlene & Malone Craig/Judy
Holcomb, John
Holt Family (Charles, Natasha & Ryder)
Houston, Tricia family
Johnson, Seanna Family
Kaus, Norm & Pat
Klonaris Family
Koogle, Larry & Jamie
Kathy Kraski & Jane Link
Ladies Bible Study Group
Ladies of Castle Pines North
Larkspur Chamber
Lewis, Rev. Marilyn & Smith, Beverly
Lillis Foundation, The
Lipton/Moore/Hurd Family
Littman, Susan
Lydia's Circle-Epiphany Luther Church
Marshall, Don & Carol
Meadows Neighborhood Company
Mercy Hill Church
MHS Families (Erika Milligan)
Milliron, Sharon & Frank
Moldestad, Jill Family
Molner Family (Ann)
Mom's Club of Castle Rock
Mourning, Beth & Miller,Kelly
Naughton Family (Tina)
New Covenant Fellowship
Old Stone Church Restaurant
Oldcastle Precast
OSHA Englewood Office
Page-Cooper, Nancy & Page, Bill
Parker Golf Association, The
Patterson, Bob & Margot
PEO Chapter IC
Plum Creek Community Church Youth Group
Pool, Zachary
Preslan, Sandee & Thom
Rafters Family (Pam)
Rafters, Chelsea
Rocky Mountain Excavating, Inc
Roos, Joe & Mary
Roper Family (Lesley)
Samuels, Carolyn
Sbarra Family
Schutte, Danene
Sky Ridge Medical Center
Smith/Waldrop Family
Snodgrass, Rebecca & Justin family
Snyder, Vicky & Bill
Soltis, Victoria & the Troy Family
Spencer, Barbara
Spring Valley Church
Strutton, Larry & Carolyn
Stucky Realty Company
Sutton, Sharon
Tafoya, Michelle
Teem, Hailey & Chris
Teen Advisory Group
Thompson, Jennifer KIDSDDS
TMMC Property Management
Tuell, Jeremy
Wagner, Michelle & Bill
West Family (Jenny, Meb & Brooke)
West, Ron & Kay
Whittingham Family
Wildcat Mountain Elem (Littleton)
…..we would also like to thank all
those, not mentioned here, who
simply dropped off a check, toy or
gift card without completing a sponsor/donor form. We know there
were many. Toys not gifted at
Christmas provide client children
with birthday gifts through out the
year.
Treasures News
Hi!
For those of you who I have not met, let me introduce
myself. I am Christie Sbarra and I am the new Store Manager
for Treasures on Park St. (the thrift store of the Douglas/
Elbert Task Force). I am the new kid on the block at the Task
Force, having come on board in November of 2012.
While I am new to the Task Force and running the
thrift store, I am far from new in the field of retail
management. I have spent the majority of my career with retail
and restaurant corporations such as Brinker International, Rock
Bottom, and Starbucks and most recently owned a children’s
consignment shop in downtown Castle Rock.
I am so excited to have this great opportunity to be a
part of the Task Force. I get to take my experience and put it to
great use to help others in my own community. Our store
keeps growing but so do the needs of our clients, so we have
big plans for the next few years.
If you have not been in the store lately, please come in
and check out all the recent changes that Sandy Sexton,
Assistant Store Manager and I have been working on with all
of our wonderful volunteers. We hear great comments daily.
When you come in please find one of us and let us know what
you think, we can’t wait to meet you!
Christie Sbarra, Store Manager
Treasures on Park Street
Thank you for your support of
the Douglas/Elbert Task Force
by participating last year in
Colorado Gives Day, a 24 hour
event of the GivingFirst program
at Community First Foundation.
Executive Director’s Corner
2012 was another banner year for the Douglas/
Elbert Task Force, as our agency provided $1,050,034 in
services to almost 16,000 clients in Douglas and Elbert
Counties.
You made that happen.
You donated to Treasures on Park Street and
shopped there, too. You donated directly to the Task
Force. You attended the Sassy Soiree, ran in the Turkey
Rock Trot, Celebrated the Season, and recycled your old
electronics. You encouraged your church, service
organization or school to hold a food drive for the Food
Bank. You gave the bounty of your garden to those who
were hungry. You bought toys for children who wouldn’t
celebrate birthdays or holidays with new gifts. You gave
elders a Christmas stocking full of goodies, including warm
socks. You did that. And we are very grateful.
In 2013 we hope to complete the last unfinished
space in our wonderful building in order to move and
expand our Client Services area. The move to the west end
of our building will provide a larger space for client
reception, two client services staff offices, an additional
volunteer office, and an expanded children’s area. All of
this is geared toward affording greater privacy for our
clients, and allowing us to see more families each day.
You’ll hear more about our plans as the year
progresses. In the meantime, we and almost 16,000 clients
thank you again for your giving hearts, your kindness and
your incredible generosity.
Suzanne Greene,
Executive Director
In late December $20,533.18, was raised through 69 gifts to
the Douglas/Elbert Task Force via www.GivingFirst.org — a
162% increase in donations over 2011, and a 50% increase in
donors. We also received $393.18 for our portion of the
FirstBank Incentive Fund.
If you participate in an employer matching program, please
contact the D/ETF directly, as those funds will not go through
this Community First Foundation program.
What a great way to help your neighbors in need. Thank you!
20% OFF ALL PURCHASES
MARCH 2013 with this coupon
Castle Rock ‘N’ Rollers Roller Derby Tournament
Benefits Local Residents
Castle Rock 'n' Rollers were proud to donate a portion of both
the proceeds from their Fall Down/Mix-Up Roller Derby
Tournament and the Silent Auction to the Douglas/Elbert Task
Force. Castle Rock ‘N’ Rollers and the Task Force are
continually looking for ways to partner to help those in need in
their community. “Castle Rock ‘N’ Rollers skaters are so
appreciative of the work the Task Force does each and every
day and are honored to help in this small way,” said Mandy
Erwin as she presented a check in the amount of $350 to the
Douglas/Elbert Task Force.
New items arriving daily
Lots of Furniture ● Jewelry ● Books ● Art
Fabulous Prices on Kids Clothing
Hours: Mon - Sat 9am to 4pm
Open Wednesday until 6pm
Donations accepted 9am to 3pm Mon/Tue/Fri/Sat only
behind the store (north side)
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NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
CASTLE ROCK, CO
80104
PERMIT NO. 133
Help & Hope Here...
1638 Park Street
Castle Rock, CO 80109
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
PEN
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1638 Park St.
Castle Rock, CO
80109
Treasures on Park Street
303-688-6129
Mon – Sat
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Wed open until 6 pm
DONATION HOURS
Mon & Tue - Fri & Sat
9:00 am – 3 pm
(weathering permitting)
CONGRATULATIONS!!
1,750 runners, the largest in the history of the event, raised a
whopping net amount of $43,408 on Thanksgiving
morning 2012. Funds support Task Force emergency services.
Rock Trot 2013 is Thanksgiving morning, November 28
EVENTS CALENDAR
Blue Star Recyclers Saturday, May 18 and October 19, 2013 10am to 2pm
A semi-annual event held at the Douglas County High School. The event
allows for an environmentally responsible and secure way to recycle obsolete
computer equipment, audio/video components, televisions and small
household appliances. Recycling fee will apply on TV’s and monitors.
Saturday - June 15 and November 16, 2013 7am to 4pm
Client Services &
Administration
303-688-1114
720-382-1249 fax
CLIENT SERVICES
& FOOD BANK
Mon – Fri
9:00 am – 12:00 noon
www.detaskforce.org
King Soopers at Castle Pines and at Castle Rock I-25/Founders
All food donations go to the Douglas and Elbert County clients.
Cash donations will be accepted.
To volunteer: contact Kathy at 303-688-1114x14
September 13th - Friday 10am to 3pm
Douglas County Events Center, Castle Rock
10th Annual Sassy Soiree - Luncheon, Fashion Show, Boutique,
Live and Silent Auctions. Sponsors and Auction Donors welcome.
Contact: Christie Sbarra at 303-688-6129 or Nani at nani1674@aol.com
Reserved tables and individual tickets go on sale in early July
No consignments, no booths available.