December 2, 2021
$1.00
JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
GoldenTranscript.net
VOLUME 155 | ISSUE 50
Colorado Gives Day is Dec. 7 How your favorite nonprofit can benefit even more from your donation BY BOB WOOLEY BWOOLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Volunteers at the First United Methodist Church of Golden serve Thanksgiving food, cooked and donated by The Golden Mill, PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN during its free Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 25.
Turkey Day Tag Team Local restaurant, church offer Thanksgiving feast for those in need BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Warren Kennison has been attending the free Thursday lunches at the First United Methodist Church of Golden for 12 years — first as diner and now as a volunteer and church member. But, this past Thursday’s meal was much bigger than he’s ever seen before.
On Nov. 25, The Golden Mill donated about 50 servings of traditional Thanksgiving dishes for the church to serve at its weekly free lunch for those in need. Couple Michael McMahon and Patsy Robertson said they heard about the meal while participating in a safe-parking program at an Arvada church. In the few years the two have been homeless, this is the first time they’ve had a full Thanksgiving meal, Robertson said. “We’re very thankful for that,” McMahon added. Overall, the First United Methodist Church of Golden served about 40-50 people, including
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 26
food-insecure individuals, seniors wanting to socialize and church members’ families. Volunteer and church member Suzi Jennings said somewhat jokingly that half of the day’s volunteers were her children and grandchildren, commenting, “I told them that if they want a Thanksgiving meal, to come to the church.” The help was certainly needed, as The Golden Mill donated large containers of turkey, mashed potatoes, green-bean casserole, rolls and macaroni and cheese. Church members provided the pies. SEE THANKSFIVING, P5
Billed as one of the largest one-day giving movements in the country, the eleventh annual Colorado Gives Day will take place Tuesday, Dec. 7. Since 2010, Coloradans who donate to the nonprofit of their choice on Colorado Gives Day help that organization receive additional funds through the Commuity First Foundation and First Bank. This year, more than 3,000 participating nonprofit organizations will receive part of a $1+ million incentive fund when they receive a donation. According to ColoradoGives.org, Colorado Gives Day has grown to be the state’s largest one-day online giving event, raising more than $307 million since its inception. Hundreds of organizations in Evergreen, Clear Creek, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Golden, South Jefferson County and more are participating in this year’s event. Dozens of causes will be represented. The Lakewood Symphony, 40 West Arts, Wheat Ridge Community Foundation, Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre Foundation, Golden Civic Foundation, Golden Backpack Program, Outpaws, and the Limb Preservation Foundation are just a few of the Jeffco nonprofits that can benefit from donations. To donate, visit coloradogives.org and search by keyword, location or cause to find a participating nonprofit you’d like to support.
KEEPING IT LOCAL
Holiday market connects community venders, shoppers P16