ColoradoSpringS.Com
EXPERT PICKS WAY TO SAY GOOD NIGHT
national mill dog rescue Peyton, 495-7679, milldogrescue.org
Just about every night on the rescue’s Facebook page, a warm, well-fed, adorable — and safe — rescue dog is curled up for the night. The description goes something like: “Zeus has been out in the kennel’s outdoor play area all day, romping around with the zany Cocker Spaniels. He’s pooped. Zeus and all of us at National Mill Dog Rescue hope you have a great night full of sweet puppy dreams.” It’s a warm fuzzy that makes you smile as you go to sleep.
MEMORIES
gaY and lesBian fund for colorado When it closed its doors on Dec. 31, the GLF took with it a 15-year legacy of building acceptance and bringing about diversity. It was grown out of the controversial 1992 Colorado Amendment 2, which denied equal rights to gays. Along the way, GLF donated millions of dollars to area nonprofits. Don’t be surprised if they donate the building as well.
MUSEUM TO DISCOVER
the carriage museum The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., 577-5775, broadmoor.com
The collection that makes you go vroom, vroom is on the resort’s grounds and is free. There are horseless carriages and horse-drawn carriages, hill climb cars and fascinating transportation memorabilia collected by Broadmoor founder Spencer Penrose and his wife, Julie.
FUNDRAISING GALA TO REMEMBER uso 70th anniVersarY gala
“Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton, who has entertained troops around the world, was the shining light at this celebration by the Rocky Mountain USO. Director Joe Aldaz deserves a major “hooah” for a night that drew cheers and touched hearts — and raised money, too.
NEW NONPROFIT
Blue star recYclers 690 Elkton Drive, Unit B, 597-6119, bluestarrecyclers.com
Bill Morris and staff are making it happen with an electronics-recycling and hard drive-shredding business that employs developmentally disabled adults. They’ve recycled millions of pounds of e-waste and held community and employer recycling events, raising thousands of dollars for other area nonprofits and charities. Next up, meet VERN (Vocational Electronics Recycling Network), which will expand into other areas of Colorado needing e-waste recycling and/or local jobs for disabled adults.
LINDA NAVARRO
nonprofits reporter and columnist for the gazette & coloradosprings.com
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
ronald mcdonald house 311 N. Logan Ave., 471-1814, rmhcs.org
There’s a reason it’s called “The House that Love Built.” When a seriously ill or critically injured little one is hospitalized, almost overnight the family’s life becomes 24/7 hospital. Ronald McDonald House is there for them, with a homelike place where they can eat, sleep, just be a family and be coddled by volunteers. It has been there for thousands of families for 25 years.
PLACE TO PARTY AND FIND ART AND BATHTUBS
coutura design inspirations 6380 Corporate Centre Circle, 636-3000, couturaco.com
This is a stunning building filled with beautifully lighted showrooms for windows, doors, bathroom faucets, floors, kitchen appliances, countertops and more. And, with local art hung gallery-style throughout, it’s a unique alternative as the site for parties and events.
COMMUNITY GEM chucK murphY
He’s always there for his city and hometown. Maybe it’s about public art. Or it could be working to make downtown beautiful and sustainable. Maybe it’s chairing a committee to raise funds for the soup kitchen or a capital campaign. This philanthropist, rarely without wife Mary Lou at his side, rounds up the people who, like him, get things done. He is Colorado Springs’ historian, and his new buildings are reproductions of the past seen through an artist’s eyes.
JEWELRY WITH A HEART ruBen manuel designs 332-6850, ruben@rubenmanueldesigns.com
Exquisite custom designs. Personalized pieces that will live for generations. But here’s what makes this artist extra special: He creates and donates stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces to be auctioned during the area’s top nonprofit galas. Thousands of dollars have been raised for multiple causes. Ruben Manuel, you’re a jewel.
VOLUNTEERS Kaiser permanente
A passion for charities comes from the top. Regional manager Mark Iorio serves on boards and is on hand to support nonprofit fundraisers. Likewise for Public Affairs Director CJ Moore, who seems to be everywhere, all the time, sometimes dressed as a broccoli. The same for Michael Selix, Pam Burnelis and many more. Thumbs up!
38 I BEST OF THE SPRINGS I 2012 I THE GazETTE
PHILANTHROPIC REAL ESTATE FIRM era shields real estate
5475 Tech Center Drive, 593-1000, erashields.com
Broker/owners Bill and Carol Hurt set the pace with a heavy-duty commitment to the community. Their internal Community Leaders volunteer program has been recognized nationally. A major focus is the Muscular Dystrophy Association, supported by ERA nationally for 35 years. ERA Shields has raised thousands of dollars for MDA with an Expressions of Hope Art Show.
PERSON WHO ALWAYS MAKES A DIFFERENCE VicKi dimond
With grace and style and flawless hair, Vicki is a force to be reckoned with. She can run a business, develop a PR/marketing campaign, mentor, help a nonprofit achieve almost impossible goals, teach others how to get their stories into the media, put together major fundraising galas and always be a friend to many. Animals are a surefire way to her heart. Meanwhile, she’s fittingly the editor and associate publisher of Colorado Springs Style magazine. Hats off to an influential woman.
ECLECTIC EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Krcc radio colorado college 912 N. Weber St., 473-4801, radiocoloradocollege.org
Always a treat: fascinating snippets of local history, things to think about or not, an FMA Free Song of the Day, a pet o’ the day and a surprise or two. Bright minds at work here.