BOULDER – In long-standing tradition, three nonprofit organizations in Boulder County once again brought the magic of the holidays to the families and children who need it most.
A merry tribe of Santa helpers, a.k.a., Realtors from RE/MAX of Boulder, helped these organizations spread the joy of the holidays. Supporting Share-A-Gift, Care Letters and Children’s Hospital Colorado, RE/MAX of Boulder volunteers made the holidays warm and merry as families and children take center stage.
Share-A-Gift
Now in its 48th holiday season, Share-A-Gift brings holiday cheer to 650 families and children in Boulder County who might otherwise be overlooked.
The nonprofit helps connect community donations with hundreds of families, representing approximately 1,500 girls and boys from birth to age 14 years. Gifts are collected with the help of businesses, citizens, and volunteers who donate toys, money, and time to bring holiday magic to every family who lives in the Boulder County School District. Gifts include new and gently used bikes, toys, books and clothing.
RE/MAX of Boulder has proudly supported Share-A-Gift for more than 20 years by encouraging staff, clients and friends to drop off donated presents to their main office lobby at 2425 Canyon Blvd. Patrick Dolan Team and his clients take a leading role, donating a large share of the presents.
RE/MAX of Boulder’s volunteers include Managing Broker and Share-A-Gift Board Member Todd Gullette; Realtors Patrick Dolan, Spencer Hellwig, and Timmy Duggan; and staff member Stephanie Wickstrom.
“I can’t think of a better opportunity each year to give back,” says RE/MAX of Boulder Realtor Spencer Hellwig. “As Realtors, it is important for us to be involved in our community and knowing that our small contribution to Share-A-Gift is helping so many local families is truly a great feeling.”
As Chair of the Boulder Area Realtor Association’s Young Professionals Network (BARA-YPN), Hellwig helped organize volunteers to distribute and pick up toy collection boxes at 44 elementary and preschools as well as held a toy drive happy hour at Sanitas Brewery.
Volunteers sometimes apply their special skills to make a difference. RE/MAX of Boulder Realtor Timmy Duggan – a former pro-bike racer and Olympic cyclist – found good use for his bike knowledge in the Share-A-Gift bike repair shop, getting bikes tuned up and ready to ride. His son, Odin, joined him (pictured above).
The hundreds of Santa helpers who come together to create and share in the joy of giving include community members from all walks of life. This adds up to thousands of hours, giving families and children in need a chance to feel the joy of the season.
For more information visit shareagift.org.
Care Letters
Founded in 2008, Care Letters is a nonprofit organization reaching out with written words of hope and encouragement to families in medical crisis.
During the holidays, Care Letters sends highly personalized letters from Santa Claus to these families. Santa speaks the language of crisis, so he is direct, honest, and compassionate, and yet buoyant, as he reminds each child that they are each uniquely amazing and deserving of the love and support that surrounds them.
Jodee Spalding, founder of Care Letters, who worked with RE/MAX of Boulder Realtor Lisa Wade to organize the volunteer opportunity, says “This December, RE/MAX of Boulder wanted to volunteer to support a community nonprofit, and chose the Care Letters Signed, Sealed, Delivered project to lend their support. With the help of RE/MAX of Boulder, Care Letters completed their holiday season with 430 letters sent to families in crisis.”
To donate or learn more, visit: careletters.org.
Children’s Hospital Colorado
RE/MAX of Boulder serves as a Miracle Office for the Children’s Miracle Network, making a powerful impact on the lives of sick and injured children and their families. By donating to Children’s Hospital Colorado after the closing of each home sale, RE/MAX of Boulder Realtors are a part of an ongoing effort to support the hospital’s life-saving treatments, advanced medical equipment, valuable research and education. This year alone, RE/MAX of Boulder Realtors donated $16,500.
“The partnership with RE/MAX of Boulder has been incredible,” says Kacie Thomas, Manager, Corporate Partnerships for Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation.
“Their staff works hard to make sure that every person in the office is aware of the Miracle System and Children’s Colorado is part of their day-to-day work. We are so grateful for the partnership with RE/MAX of Boulder and can’t thank them enough for the impact they’ve made to help the kids at Children’s Colorado,” adds Thomas.
Ranked as a top 10 pediatric hospital nationally, Children’s Hospital Colorado, located on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora with 18 additional locations across Colorado, is a private, nonprofit hospital renowned for its excellence in caring for kids of all ages. As the only nonprofit children’s hospital in the region, Children’s Hospital Colorado provides world-class care to every child who needs it.
“We stand for community,” say RE/MAX of Boulder Broker/Owner Tom Kalinski and Co-Owner Jay Kalinski. “It’s a guiding principle of our company, and we are committed to making a local impact.”
To donate or learn more, visit: childrenscolorado.org.
