Cheers to all of our 2016 Award Nominees! Here is some information about each outstanding business and/or individual. 

 

Wyatt Guernsey
Youth of the Year Winner

Last summer, the Conifer Interact Club, sponsored by the Conifer Rotary Club, spent 17 days in eastern Nepal performing demolition and distributing medical supplies in the wake of May's devastating earthquakes. 90% of the expenses were covered by a three year fundraising effort coordinated by President Wyatt Guernsey, including the club's premier annual event, Conifer's Run the Ranch 5k. Wyatt is the 2016 Valedictorian of Conifer High School.

---

Augustana Elk Run Assisted Living Community
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

Augustana Elk Run Assisted Living offers an array of services tailored to unique needs and preferences We make life easier by providing nursing services, individualized health care plans, a personal call system, weekly housekeeping, dining services and a full calendar of events and activities that lead to new opportunities. In 2015  Augustana Elk Run received the 2015 Excellence in Not-For-Profit Leadership Award from the Leading Age Association.

 

Drive Smart
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

Drive Smart provides much needed education regarding safe driving practices for all ages. Their fund raising events are wildly popular and unite our community. They integrate education with exciting events including the Triple Bypass, Barks & Belts, and Skate the Lake. In 2015 Drive Smart started their Experienced Driver Program which focuses on Experienced/Mature Driver Safety. In December the Colorado State Patrol recognized Drive Smart for 20 years  or NO motor vehicle fatalities on New Year's Eve.

 

Evergreen Chorale
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

At every concert in 2015, the Evergreen Chorale has chosen a charity to help, both financially, as well as giving public recognition. The Chorale has also partnered with other arts organizations to present a collaborative concert that benefits both organizations as well as the public. Few organizations go this far to benefit charities as well as partnering with other performing arts groups which result in a win-win for everybody. They have become a leader of how community organization/non-profits truly can work together.

 

Evergreen Christian Outreach
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

Evergreen Christian Outreach (EChO) helps individuals move from crisis situations towards sustainability and self-sufficiency by offering HELP and HOPE to people in need. EChO provides food and resources to meet the most basic and urgent needs of our mountain residents. Over 300 families visit our food bank each month. Our Jobs Program, Enrichment Center and educational assistance program offer hope to individuals for a better future.

 

Evergreen Players
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

In Evergreen for the last 65 years, the Evergreen Players bring live entertainment to the Evergreen community.  Whether bringing in talent, or helping local talent grow, EP provides the community an opportunity to get involved in live theater in a very personal, hands on way. Dedicated to the benefit of the community, EP events have been fundraisers for local charities, as well as providing free offerings to those who may not otherwise have the means to enjoy a performance.

 

Foothills Center for Spiritual Living
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

Open for less than a year, the Foothills Center for Spiritual Living has already become entrenched in the Evergreen community through event sponsorship and volunteer commitments. Focused on bringing a spiritual alternative to the area, Foothills Center for Spiritual Living utilizes local residents to complement their services of childcare and feature local authors in their bookstore.  Their mission is to uplift the community by teaching practical life and leadership skills.

 

Friends of Mount Evans & Lost Creek Wilderness
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

The Friends of Mount Evans & Lost Creek Wilderness is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Founded in November 2005, FOMELC provides cooperative stewardship support to the United States Forest Service and offers volunteer opportunities for all ages, physical abilities, and interests. We perform trail patrols, maintenance, and education in these two wilderness areas.

Mountain Resource Center
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

The Mountain Resource Center serves 20,000 mountain community members from I-70 to I-285. They do everything from helping people heat their homes, to job training, to filling their pantries....They have many community fund raisers--their Mountain Bowls events, being one of their biggest. New in 2015 was the Bowls After Dark event that raised an additional $25,000 for MRC . Their new community event was the powerful film High Ground, a documentary about veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan climbing Mt. Everest, the director even attended the showing at Evergreen High School!

 

Salvation Army-Evergreen Unit
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

This organization has been around for many years nationally and active in the Evergreen area for more than 50 years. More than just the bell ringers in our community, the past couple of years has had a burst of new energy with younger volunteers and new ideas.  Salvation Army teams with the fire department to help families who lose their homes and takes youngsters of needy families to purchase school clothing before returning to school. It has always helped confidentially with keeping utilities from being turned off, covering emergency doctor bills, and sending kids to camp.

 

Sculpture Evergreen
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

Sculpture Evergreen, formerly known as Art for the Mountain Community, is a volunteer organization incorporated in 1994. Their purpose is to place permanent, high quality, enduring art in public places to enhance the quality of life in greater Evergreen.  In 1999, Sculpture Evergreen organized its first Sculpture Walk, an annual project which continues today. To date, Sculpture Evergreen has presented 16 Sculpture Walks, and has donated 32 permanent pieces of sculpture totaling over $500,000 to Evergreen .

 

Seniors' Resource Center
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

SRC is entering its 38th year of community commitment to older adults and their families.  Our staff and volunteers work to preserve independence, dignity and quality of life.  With compassion and integrity we provide licensed adult day activities, in-home care services, transportation, financial assistance, meals on wheels and volunteer opportunities. Their staff also manages Evergreen's Call and Ride service used by locals and other nonprofits for event transportation.

 

Vertical Skills Academy
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

The only school in the greater Denver area focused on language based learning disabilities, VSA brings to Evergreen an expertise usually found only in large cities. In addition to focused learning, instructors at VSA work to promote the community to the students and families, with experimental learning trips where students enjoy local restaurants, stores and entertainment services. Networking with other schools to bring their trained instructors to students unable to attend VSA full time, the instructors often serve as private tutors to community families.

 

Women of Evergreen Business
Nonprofit of the Year Nominee

What do you get when you put together 20 dynamic entrepreneurs, a passion for making a difference and the energy to get things done?  You get Women of Evergreen Businesses!  From accountants to acupuncturists, therapists to retail gurus, WEB brings diverse talents together in a business and service organization that has a real impact on our mountain community. Their annual fundraiser has given thousands to suicide education and prevention.

 

---

Steve Bearden
Volunteer of the Year Nominee

In Steve's short time in Evergreen he has thrown himself into volunteerism like no one else. He is the president of the Big Chili, Bootstraps board member sitting on the awards committee, Boy Scout area rep, boxer rescue volunteer, to name a few. He always has a smile on his face and something positive to say. Steve is a chiropractor here in Evergreen.  His passions are serving God, people, and dogs any way he can.

 

Kathleen Davis
Volunteer of the Year Nominee

Kathleen and John Davis joined Evergreen Players a month after moving to Evergreen, and have been part of the family for 50 years. A pianist, music teacher, and writer, Kathleen has served on the boards of Evergreen Players, National Repertory Orchestra, Center for the Arts Evergreen, and Downtown Evergreen Economic District (DEED).

 

Evergreen Dental Group
Volunteer of the Year Nominee

For the past three years, Evergreen Dental Group has hosted a FREE Dental Day.  By providing much needed dental care to over 100 patients, 2015 was our biggest success yet!  Owners Jeff & Bev Sprout are passionate about giving back and have inspired the entire EDG staff to donate their time and skills to make this incredible event possible. EDG also supports a plethora of our nonprofits with sponsorships and volunteer hours.

 

Lori Frease
Volunteer of the Year Nominee

Lori Frease is the Development Director of  EChO, she serves on the board of directors for the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, volunteers for the Conifer Chamber, as well as serves on committees that fundraise and give back to other nonprofits. When fellow community organizations need help Lori always steps up to lend a hand.

 

Marie Lynch
Volunteer of the Year Nominee

Marie Lynch volunteers extensively for Drive Smart, coordinating all the volunteers for the Triple Bypass, Skate the Lake and Polar Plunge events.  She is a realtor with ReMax Alliance and is passionate about helping buyers find the perfect home.  Marie is a single mom of two teenage boys.  She enjoys the Evergreen lifestyle, including running and hiking the local trails.  She loves music and can frequently be spotted at concerts at Evergreen Lake and Red Rocks.

 

Karen MacFarquahar
Volunteer of the Year Nominee

Karen has lived in Evergreen for 18 years. She has volunteered with Girls on the Run since 2006- coaching for ten years, serving on the Board of Directors for three years and raising $3500 as charity runner. Helping to empower the young girls in her community is extremely important to her. What is amazing is that although she has no children of her own, Karen has taught scores of young girls the value of exercise and healthy habits.

 

Beth Riser
Volunteer of the Year Nominee

Beth Riser is President of the Evergreen Artists Association, manager of Main Street Gallery in downtown, and the administrator for the Evergreen Creative District. When she has the time, photography is her passion and snowflakes are her specialty. She's fortunate to have her beautiful family supporting her the whole way. Beth is a tireless promoter of the arts in Evergreen through her many volunteer positions in our community.

 

Warren & Betsy Rose
Volunteer of the Year Nominee

Betsy and Warren Rose help with multiple nonprofits including SRC and Boogie at the Barn. They are Rotarians who are actively involved in various capacities, even traveling to Africa with Crutches4Africa and partipating in the Mountain Reads Program. Betsy organizes fundraisers for individuals in need (Jess Austin). Together they are involved in many different community organizations and causes, while individually perpetuating the belief that:

"I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can."   ~George Bernard Shaw

 

Judy Tersteeg
Volunteer of the Year Nominee

Judy Tersteeg  has raised money to improve the health of the community for the past 18 years as a volunteer for Mt. Evans Home Health and Hospice. Her contributions range from board member to charismatic leader of the annual gala, Freedom Run, passionate co-founder of Under a Summer Moon, Ellie's Evening, Angel Making,  9Health Fair, and Mountain Area Literary Festival.

---

Caitlyn Marino
Young Professional of the Year Nominee

Caitlyn Marino joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor in 2015, opening the firm's second branch office in Evergreen.  Caitlyn and her business partner, Janis, provide highly personalized service. All aspects of their business are aligned to help them better understand and meet their clients' unique goals/needs.  Originally from Illinois, she has lived in Evergreen since 2011. She is an active member of the community, serving as Ambassador for the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, and a member of Wonderful Opportunities for Women.

 

Rachel Nicks
Young Professional of the Year Nominee

Rachel Nicks chose to work, volunteer and live in Evergreen because it's a small community with a big heart.  In the past, she has been an active member in the Chamber Young Professionals Group. She is a licensed financial advisor with Waddell and Reed, but recently purchased "Seasonally Yours, Evergreen Taffy & Fresh Fudge Too!".  When she is not running her two businesses, she's hanging out with her 6 year old sidekick daughter, Auburn.  Rachel is driven to be an example that women can have it all- a family and a career.

 

Marisa Rodero
Young Professional of the Year Nominee

Marisa Rodero is a Licensed Acupuncturist and owner of Roots Medicine on Meadow Drive. She provides gentle and effective treatments for healing or prevention using acupuncture, herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle recommendations. She specializes in difficult, complicated cases, often where Western medical treatment options are limited or ineffective. Marisa gives her time to the community as an Ambassador for the Evergreen Chamber and is mentoring new businesses in Evergreen.

---

The Green Team

Thank you to our entire Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Team. Ambassadors are local business owners who volunteer to help new businesses get up and running with the Chamber. From ribbon cuttings to leads groups to networking at mixers, the Chamber is lucky to have the support of this very fun group of people. Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious and they are always looking to add new members to the team.

This year's nominees for Ambassador of the Year are:

 

Annie Coppock
Ambassador of the Year Nominee

Annie Coppock is an award-winning front range portrait photographer. Rodeo queens, seniors, kids, dancers and athletes are among her favorite subjects. Her work can be viewed in the halls of Evergreen's Wulf and Buchanan Recreation Centers. She helped co-found the Evergreen Camera Club and served as co-president from 2008-2009. Current clients include the Evergreen Rodeo Association, Evergreen Parks and Recreation Department, Evergreen Chamber of Commerce, Evergreen Downtown Business Association, Evergreen Country Day, Evergreen Montessori School, and Kinetic Arts.

 

Patty DeLucas
Ambassador of the Year Nominee

In Evergreen for over 10 years as a certified Financial Planner^TM and  Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. , Patty DeLucas has jumped right in in 2015 and gotten very involved with all aspects of the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce. Her energy to promote and encourage businesses both new and old is limitless. As a Chamber Ambassador and 2016 Chair of the EACC Board, Patty DeLucas exemplifies caring for and connecting with her Evergreen community - her mantra is that paying it forward is good for business.

 

Penny Randell
Ambassador of the Year Nominee

Penny Randell is a degreed biologist and world traveler based in Evergreen who writes for print and electronic media. Her forthcoming book Becoming African­ details her adventures living in Uganda with her son and their extensive travels throughout the continent. She has explored Alaska, Canada, the UK, Europe and the Middle East…so far. Her specialty is crafting bios and stories for large and small businesses and publications.  Penny is a vibrant member of the Evergreen Chamber Ambassador team, who finds it very rewarding to reach out to new businesses in her community.

 

Donna Reardon
Ambassador of the Year Nominee

Donna Reardon is a 25- year resident of Evergreen committed to improving her local business climate and economy. Over the years she has connected hundreds of businesses with the Evergreen Chamber and her diligent work with EasyChair Media ensures that she is helping those businesses succeed while creating long-term professional relationships.

 

Ellen O'Connor
Ambassador of the Year Nominee

Ellen O'Connor - Executive Director for Evergreen Park & Recreation District, has served on the Evergreen Chamber Board of Directors, as well as served as the Chamber's Ambassador Team Leader for the past three years.  Ellen enjoys helping others achieve their goals and making a new friend along the way.  She is a proud mom of two: Danielle Marie, 24 years old - 4th grade teacher and Ryan John, 21 years old Senior attending Colorado Mesa State University.  Oh yes and Mr. B (her 2 year old lab!)

 

Choosing our winners this year has been a challenging task. All of the nominees are winners in what they do and give back to our community.  They do not do their good works for accolades but because it is the right thing to do. Let us all follow in their examples and continue to make the mountain community a wonderful place to be.