Share-A-Gift presents collected at RE/MAX of Boulder. (Photo: RE/MAX of Boulder).
The silver lining may not be apparent in a year like 2020, but this year like no other, has provided endless avenues to assist, share, donate and offer hope. Boulder County nonprofits, with the individuals and families they serve, need your support. With a long-standing history of deep community involvement and a passion for where they live, Realtors at RE/MAX of Boulder are leading the way to make the holidays merry and bright for families across Boulder County – and they are asking the entire community to join them.
“This year has been fraught with challenges from COVID-19 to the wildfires, and the critical need in our community is enormous,” says Tom Kalinski, broker/owner of RE/MAX of Boulder.
Owner Jay Kalinski says, “We can all make a world of difference right here in our own backyard to provide a vital lifeline of hope and help to our neighbors.”
Home is where the heart is
During this year of tremendous need, the management and Realtors of RE/MAX of Boulder bring a strong history of support to the table. Founded over 40 years ago, RE/MAX of Boulder is Boulder Valley’s top-performing and award-winning real estate company. Throughout the years, their Realtors have a long legacy of volunteering for nonprofit boards, working on charitable causes and donating personally to nonprofits.
That dedication comes as no surprise: RE/MAX of Boulder Realtors are long-time local residents who raise their families in the community.
“Our Realtors are firm believers in giving back to the community,” says Lisa Wade, Realtor and organizer of years of nonprofit events and fundraisers at RE/MAX of Boulder. We are so grateful to live here. If everybody does a little, the impact is huge.”
RE/MAX of Boulder supports the following and encourages everyone to join in supporting these nonprofit organizations.
Share-A-Gift: The magic of giving
“Share-A-Gift will march on this year!” says RE/MAX of Boulder Managing Broker and Share-A-Gift Board Member Todd Gullette. “2020 has been extremely tough on local families and so we are working even harder to help those in need. Many families count on the assistance that Share-A-Gift provides, and this may be one of the most important years yet,” says Gullette.
With the need of families further heightened by the pandemic, Share-A-Gift connects businesses, residents, and volunteers who donate toys, bikes, books, clothing, money and time to make the holidays happy for approximately 1,300 children from 540 families.
Share-A-Gift organizers have worked tirelessly to develop new procedures designed to keep everyone safe from COVID-19. To keep the process touchless and socially distanced, Share-A-Gift volunteers are bringing gifts directly to the cars of participating families.
For more than 20 years, RE/MAX of Boulder has proudly supported Share-A-Gift. Many of the presents are donated from RE/MAX of Boulder’s Patrick Dolan Team and his clients.
This year RE/MAX of Boulder volunteers working alongside Gullette include Realtors Lisa Wade and Timmy Duggan. Wade has volunteered and held board positions with over 20 nonprofit organizations including Dining for Women, 100+ Women Who Care, Boulder Valley Humane Society, Attention Homes, Better Boulder, YWCA and The Good Hope Foundation. Former pro-bike racer and Olympic cyclist Timmy Duggan will tune bikes during Bike Repair Night so they are ready to ride. Learn more online at shareagift.org.
Asher is a patient at Children’s Hospital Colorado with Joubert Syndrome, a rare disease affecting brain development. (Photo courtesy: Children’s Hospital Colorado).
Children’s Hospital Colorado and Children’s Miracle Network
Throughout the year, RE/MAX of Boulder is a “Miracle Office” for the Children’s Miracle Network. By donating to Children’s Hospital Colorado after the closing of each home sale, RE/MAX of Boulder Realtors support the hospital’s life-saving treatments, advanced medical equipment, valuable research, and education. Even with the impact of COVID-19, this year alone RE/MAX of Boulder Realtors have donated $17,000.
But this holiday season will look different for patients at Children’s Hospital Colorado due to COVID-19. Patients will not pick out toys or see special guests.
With the toy drive canceled, RE/MAX of Boulder is encouraging the community to participate in the 2020 Joy Drive, a virtual fundraiser to brighten the holidays for patients.
“We need your support now more than ever – kids still need us for a variety of illnesses, diseases and injuries – even during a pandemic” says Kacie Thomas, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation.
Children’s Hospital is a private, nonprofit hospital renowned for its excellence in caring for kids of all ages and is ranked as a top 10 pediatric hospital nationally. Learn more and make a donation online at childrenscoloradofoundation.org/joydrive.
NICU babies from family helped by There With Care. (Photo courtesy: There With Care).
There With Care
For families in a medical crisis, there’s no greater gift than There With Care. By providing transportation, meals, home maintenance, professional services, sibling support, baby essentials, phone and technology services, There With Care eases daily stresses.
“RE/MAX of Boulder and their Realtors have been wonderful community partners for There With Care over the years,” says Katie Hegg, community development associate, There With Care. “They’ve done drives to collect much needed items for families, sponsored fundraising events, volunteered their time and talents, allowed us to be a featured non-profit for Bands on the Bricks events, and so much more. We are truly grateful for their generosity and support. “
Realtors supporting There With Care include The Kalinski Team, RE/MAX Elevate through fundraising events, Realtor Digger Braymiller who served as co-chair of the There With Care Cup Challenge, and Realtors Rich Gribbon and John McElveen who are donors. For more information, visit therewithcare.org.
The Good Hope Foundation
RE/MAX of Boulder Realtor Brian Sundberg wants to help first-time homebuyers who serve the community as teachers, fire fighters, police officers and others with their down payment. He founded The Good Hope Foundation to make this possible.
Frontline workers helped by The Good Hope Foundation.
(Photos courtesy: Good Hope Foundation).
RE/MAX of Boulder Realtors who have donated to the foundation include: Tom Kalinski, Jay Kalinski, Lisa Wade, Janet Leap, Daryl Smith, Rich Gribbon, Timmy Duggan, Carolyn Bleicher, and RE/MAX Elevate’s Elizabeth Ryterski & Laura Shaffer of E and L Team. They encourage you to give to this great cause at: thegoodhopefoundation.org.
YMCA of Northern Colorado
The YMCA of Northern Colorado is a community-based nonprofit providing financial assistance exceeding $1,000,000 annually to families so they can participate in any programs the Y offers regardless of their ability to pay.
Realtor Linda Nehls, current board member and past president, says, “The biggest need for the Y right now, during COVID, is receiving donations so they can continue providing childcare to essential workers and families in need.”Visit ymcanoco.org.
Helping hand for local businesses
Local businesses and their employees are struggling, and RE/MAX of Boulder Realtors are helping with the “12 Days of Giving” campaign. They have identified 12 local restaurants or stores and have bought $300 in gift cards for the business to give away to customers.
More outstanding nonprofits
Boulder County has a wealth of opportunities for supporting our residents in need. A few of the outstanding nonprofits RE/MAX of Boulder Realtors help support and encourage the community to donate to or volunteer with include:
• EFAA, Access Opportunity, Boulder YWCA, Boulder Voices for Children, CASA, Boulder County Force Soccer Scholarship Program, Boulder Humane Society, SavingTeens.org – supported by John McElveen.
• Meals on Wheels, Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, Denver Rescue Mission, Harvest of Hope, Intercambio, Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Whittier Elementary School, Casey Middle School. Parent Engagement Network – supported by Rich Gribbon.
• Green Wagon Project has picked up over 6,000 lbs of food donations for EFAA – created by Janet Leap.
• Community Food Share, CASA, Wildfire Donation Fund – supported by Irene Shaffer.
• 100+ Women Who Care, Attention Homes, Recovery Cafe Longmont – supported by Tina DiScipio.
• Boulder Bridge House –supported by Barbara Dawson.
• Buffalo Belles –supported by Donna Voss; CU-Boulder Ski Ball –supported by Dale Pearson.
• Boulder Jewish Family Services, CU Hillel – supported by board member Carolyn Bleicher.
• MS Society – supported by Katie Atkins, Art Schwadron.
• Nature Heals – supported by Kimberly Fels.
• Boulder Valley Humane Society – supported by Barbara Passalacqua.
• Medicine Horse, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Longmont Humane Society – supported by Laurie Kaufman.
• Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence, Out Boulder, Bridge House, Planned Parenthood – supported by Sue Masterson.
• 1% for the Planet – supported by Steve Altermatt.
• Historic Boulder, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Boulder Public Library – supported by Kathryn Keller.
To contact a RE/MAX of Boulder Realtor, call 303.449.7000, visit boulderco.com, or visit one of their two conveniently located offices at 2425 Canyon Blvd. or 1320 Pearl St. in Boulder.
