December 12, 2013 Jefferson County, Colorado | Volume 9, Issue 29 A publication of
arvadapress.com
A great big day of
giving
Group to seat new board members
Colorado Gives Day encourages philanthropic online giving
Arvada Economic Development announces new board of directors
By Crystal Anderson
By Crystal Anderson
canderson@ourcoloradonews.com
canderson@ourcoloradonews.com
he Christmas holiday is a time when people are encouraged to help others, and this holiday season more than 30,000 people are giving back — in a big way. Residents across the state participated Dec. 10 in the fourth annual Colorado Gives Day, a statewide, philanthropic effort to promote charitable giving through online resources. “It’s really great to see our supporters being a part of this event locally as well as be a part of a much bigger picture with nonprofits across the state,” said Rebecca Hansen, development director at the Jefferson Center for Mental Health. The event, founded in 2010 by Arvada-based Community First Foundation, has raised more than $36 million for Colorado nonprofits, and organizers predict it will continue to grow. “It’s crazy and exciting,” said Dana Rinderknecht, director of online giving at Community First Foundation. “Nonprofits have always embraced it, and they take it and run with it the way that best fits them. It’s really the nonprofits that have made it a success, and the donors? Can’t go anywhere without them.” This year, more than 1,400 nonprofits statewide participated in the event, including 18 Arvada nonprofits. Around Arvada, businesses including the Arvada Beer Company and Braun Taphaus and Grille hosted events for Colorado Gives Day. They offered discounts and promoted making contributions to area nonprofits, including the Ralston House and the Jefferson Center for Mental Health. “I believe it’s the responsibility as a business owner to add value to your community and really extend yourself out there,” said Kelly Floyd, owner and general manager of the Arvada Beer Company. “Colorado Gives Day gives a visibility into these nonprofits and makes you aware there are people out there willing to help you.” To be a registered in the nonprofit database for the event, organizations must be serving or headquartered in Colorado, registered and in good standing with the secre-
As of Jan. 1, the Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) will have a new board of directors. Approved by the Arvada City Council on Dec. 2, AEDA will welcome five re-elected members and three new members to its board in January. “It’s important to have a very diverse mix,” AEDA Director Hazel Hartbarger said. “It brings different perspectives to the board to truly better understand the needs of the community.” Every year AEDA has an informal election process to reappoint or elect community members to the board of directors. Terms are limited to three years, and allow for reappointment. With 17 members, the board represents different segments of the community, from small retailers to higher education, but their mission is clear — to help grow a strong business environment in Arvada. “The main thing, being as active we are in the community, is to see the city develop in a positive way,” said Fred Baker, a non-retail representative on the board. The board is responsible for guiding the actions of the organization and taking care of existing businesses. According to Hartbarger, the new board will continue that effort, while looking at new ways to meet goals to increase jobs, increase revenue and increase business retention in Arvada. “Each year the board creates a strategic plan, and in January it will look at considering a new format,” she said. “Board members will consider moving to a performancebased budgeting model and possible new marketing outreaches.” For newly elected member Janet Steinkamp, the board’s outreach to businesses is critical and is one of the reasons she wanted to be a part of AEDA. “Being on the board gives me direct access to the workforce to gather the information related to employers’ needs to make sure our students are top choice for employment,” she said. AEDA has a self-perpetuating board of directors, which allows the community to have more involvement. To become a part of the board, community members need to express interest, and then AEDA will select the best nominees to present to council in December for approval.
T
Lakewood resident Ray Huff, who is a member of the Ralston House board of directors, sat down at a computer at the Arvada Beer Company on Colorado Gives Day, supporting area nonprofits. Photo by Crystal Anderson tary of state, have $50,000 in annual revenue or $25,000 in assets, and have been operating at least one year. While focused on nonprofits, Colorado Gives Day helps build connections and stronger communities throughout the state, Rinderknecht said. “Colorado Gives Day is a great event to connect donors with the nonprofits in their community,” she said. “Having a strong nonprofit community makes stronger nonprofits doing amazing work in our community.” Donations are still being accepted through cogives.org. All major credit cards and e-checks are accepted.
Eakins sentenced to community corrections Restitution expected to be paid while serving 10 years By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com Judith Eakins, 54, of Wheat Ridge, received a 10-year sentence to community corrections on Dec. 2 in relation to her embezzlement of $160,341 at Golden High School, where she worked as the school’s financial secretary. The sentence will run concurrently with a separate theft charge for which Eakins is currently serving a six-year probation sentence, after she stole her elderly mother’s Social Security and pension checks totaling about $30,000. Eakins’ mother,
Dorothy Morvay, 92, suffered from advanced dementia and died in March. While employed at GHS, Eakins stole money from ticket sales for school activities and formal functions at Golden High School, including homecoming, prom and football games from the years 2009 to 2012. Eakins also took Eakins a $3,500 donation from a GHS football coach while inappropriately using the school’s credit card. Restitution will be paid to Jeffco schools first in the amount of $57,167, with the remaining $103,174 going to Travelers Insurance.
Golden High School Principal Brian Controy made a statement during Eakins’ sentencing hearing, addressing Eakins as “Judy” and stating she had betrayed the trust of GHS staff, students and the community. “The betrayal that we feel as a staff, as parents, as a community cannot be fixed,” Conroy said. “It will take years for us to understand why you did it; it will take even longer to overcome what you have done.” “I take full responsibility for what I did,” Eakins said. “I’m not a terrible person, I really just want to try to do the right thing.” When the judge asked Eakins what she spent the money on, Eakins said she couldn’t remember all the items she bought and just “did stuff” with the money. “I really couldn’t even tell you, I have nothing to
show for it,” she said. According to an affidavit, Eakins allegedly spent the stolen money on a Motorola tablet, a tent and many DVD’s for a home movie collection reportedly worth $10,000. Money was also spent on dinner parties and on her son. “You have violated some of the most undeserving victims,” said Jeffco District Court Judge Tamara Russell. Russell said she didn’t know how Eakins could stand in front of her and say she’s not a terrible person when she stole from her ailing mother and children. If Eakins violates any of the terms that are part of her community-corrections sentence, the remainder of the 10-year sentence will immediately be served in a Colorado Department of Corrections prison.
EDITORS NOTE Following the resignation of Senate District 19 representative Evie Hudak, a Democratic Party vacancy committee met the evening of Dec. 10 to choose her replacement. Due to publishing deadlines, coverage and reaction of the outcome of that meeting will appear in the Dec. 19 edition of the paper. Coverage of the SD 19 replacement can be found online at www.ourcoloradonews.com.
Printed on recycled newsprint. Please recycle this copy.