Dads do their part for family

HIGHWAY

Nonproﬁt overhauls stairway to help woman with mobility issues

BY CHANCY J. GATLIN-ANDERSON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Twelve members of the nonpro t Dads of Elbert County joined forces on June 10 to help a local family achieve home accessibility for their daughter.

Twenty-two-year-old Hannah

Rognmoe su ered a traumatic brain injury when she was found unconscious and unresponsive at the deep end of a swimming pool in 2011. She now uses a wheelchair for mobility and is unable to climb stairs.

To help Hannah and her family with home accessibility, the Dads of Elbert County — or DoEC — did a complete overhaul the Rognmoes’ stairs in their Elbert County home. ey put in an electric stair lift chair that now helps to move Hannah up to the second story of the house when needed. Prior to the installation, Hannah’s father and brother would carry her up the stairs.

“We want to be able to do things for families that will make a di erence in their lives, for those who can’t do it themselves,” said DoEC member Bruce Hicks. “We felt the need here was great. e Rognmoes are a terri c family.”

Hannah’s parents Eric and Beth Ayn Rognmoe work to give back to the community that has helped them throughout the years. In 2018 they started a nonpro t foundation to help families like theirs.

Hannah’s Hands of Hope is based out of Elbert County and is named for Hannah Rognmoe. e foundation is committed to providing practical and strategic resources for families in traumatic and lifealtering situations.

“As overwhelming and traumatic as the whole experience was, we’ve since seen so many families go through the same thing,” said Beth Ayn Rognmoe. “We knew we had to do something. We started Hannah’s Hands of Hope. We try to help other families any way we can.”

According to their website, the foundation has three practical goals:

“We’re pleased to say that we have two new improvements,” said Lacey Catterton, head organizer for the festival and president of the Elbert Town Committee. “We have expanded our kid attraction zone with new bounce houses, obstacle courses, games, crafts and more.”

Two bands will serve as entertainment for this year’s Elbert Day Festival. WMW is an Elizabeth-based rock band and Lookin’ Back is a Coloradobased classic rock cover band.

“ is year we also added an exclusive sponsorship level that we named ‘Diamond Sponsor.’ Because of the rising costs to host the event, we voted to add this exclusive sponsorship level to help support our larger attractions like our tractor pull and

SEE FESTIVAL, P2 music stages,” said Catterton. “HiTest Elbert, Kamerzell Bros. Well & Pump Service, Kiowa Creek Outtters, C Lazy T Tree Movers, and LCM Waterfalls & Ponds donated $750 or more.” is year’s Elbert Day Festival is planned and coordinated by members of the Elbert Town Committee. e Elbert Woman’s Club will also help with the event.

“A lot of teamwork, time, passion and dedication is put into an event like this. Our Elbert Town Committee members, who are all volunteers, work year-round planning this event. We begin planning the day after for next year’s event,” said Catterton. “Each member is tasked with di erent aspects such as sponsors, vendors, parade entrants, etc. and will work right up until the night before the event planning and organizing.”

“ is event draws people of all ages from our community as well as surrounding communities,” said Catterton. “ ey come together to shop local vendors, eat great local foods, listen to music, watch the tractor pulls, and spend time among families from all around.”

For more information on the Elbert Day Festival, visit the Elbert Town Committee Facebook page at facebook.com/elberttownco.