Event Gallery
Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event – September 25, 2019
Staff gathered together to honor and celebrate all of our volunteers at our annual volunteer appreciation event. This year we celebrated at The Space Foundation, with the gallery open for touring. In keeping with the space theme, Brendan led the trivia contest and Paula and Zach provided some entertainment.
Thank you to the following for helping to make this evening so much fun!
The Space Foundation
Catering by Nikki
Tri-Lakes Lions Club – bar hosts
Pikes Peak Brewing
Anonymous Wine Donor
Dean Snow – Photography services of award presentations
Client Appreciation Day – September 16, 2019
Thank you to everyone who made September Client Appreciation Day! There were free haircuts and a live ice sculpture demonstration as well as yummy pies and hot cider to drink. It was a great way to start into Fall!
Thank you to everyone who made this possible!
- Village Inn / Monument – discount on the pies
- Kim, Peyton and their team at Fedex – for helping set up, serve and clean up
- Simple Computer Repair – donated services to update computer used as a door prize
- Paula B – for donating the computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer and desk
- Echo Salon – for providing a gift certificate for a hair cut as a door prize
- Echo Salon – for providing free haircuts
- The Vanity Box – for providing free haircuts
- Mary Burford and Many Lee – for providing haircuts
- Julian Drummond – for the live ice sculpture demonstration
We also welcomed Lynn from El Paso County Department of Human Services who provided information to clients.
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Client Appreciation Day – June 13, 2019
Everyone enjoyed the June Client Appreciation Day! Thank you to everyone who helped make this day possible:
Volunteers from Monument Community Presbyterian Church – set up and serving
Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District – grilling and fire truck display
Kona Ice – free snow cones to clients, staff and volunteers
Pikes Peak Library District (Monument branch)
Texas Roadhouse – Andy the Aramadillo
Alzheimer’s Association
United Healthcare
Envida
 Andy the Armadillo greeting clients as they come in |
 Thank you to Kona Ice for the free snow cones! |
 Enjoying the good food! |
 Fire Chief Chris Truty manning the grill |
 Getting a closer look at the fire truck |
 More baked beans or watermelon? |
 Filling out the door prize slips |
 What else can we get you? |
 Lucky winner of the boy’s mountain bike! |
 Evening crew from Monument Community Presbyterian |
“A Taste of Tri-Lakes Cares” – May 8, 2019
On May 8th, Tri-Lakes Cares held its annual signature fundraising event called “A Taste of Tri-Lakes Cares.” Despite the cold and wintery weather, more than 250 people came and enjoyed the event. They sampled dishes prepared from our pantry items by the participating restaurants while enjoying games which showcased the programs and services provided to those in need living in northern El Paso County.
Thank you to Dean Snow for donating his time and talent to photograph the event!
Thank you to Ed Hettler for donating his time and talent to provide music and handle the TLC video slide show!
Client Appreciation – March 11, 2019
On March 11th, the Town of Monument hosted our quarterly Client Appreciation Event. The food was provided by Arlene’s Beans. The Town provided some cool door prizes, including one lucky client winning a hand car wash at their home by Interim Town Manager, Mike Foreman.
We had special guests providing additional service opportunities to clients as well:
- Kathleen and John from United Healthcare came to talk to clients about Medicare enrollment options
- Betty and Francine from Colorado Pet Pantry came to tell clients about a pet food program for their dogs and cats
Thank you to everyone who helped make this day so fun and exciting!
 Rachael chats with Town of Monument employees, getting ready for the doors to open |
 Yummy food from Arlene’s Beans! |
 Town of Monument employees packing a “to go” container |
 Arlene’s Beans provided an opportunity for clients to guess the number of jelly beans to win a gift card. |
 Clients were excited about the door prizes and eagerly signed up for the drawings. |
 The chance to win a car wash by Mike Foreman, Monument Town Manager! |
 Another door prize: A gift basket with Town of Monument goodies |
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 Betty and Francine from the Colorado Pet Pantry |
 John and Kathleen from United Healthcare |
Thanksgiving Distribution – November 17, 2018
Thank you to everyone who helped with the Thanksgiving distribution. Despite the cold and cloudy weather, an atmosphere of excitement and joy was in the air.
 Cars waiting in line. |
Max of Monument Hills Kiwanis was ready for both the weather and the traffic. |
 Some of the many frozen turkeys donated by the community. |
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Timmie and Haley checking the list. |
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Homemade baked goods provided by Girl Scout Troop Service Unit 16. |
Pam, Paula and Elizabeth handing out little extras – Christmas ornaments, stuffed animals, coffee and olives. |
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Read more about our supporters and partners for Thanksgiving here.
Volunteer Appreciation – September 12, 2018
The annual TLC Volunteer Appreciation event was held on September 12 and a great
time was had by all! Mother Nature smiled on us as we gathered at the beautiful Wonderland Ranch in Black Forest. We were treated to a delicious, picnic-style meal prepared at the ranch (at a reduced cost as part of their support to Tri-Lakes Cares).
Enterta
inment was provided by the extremely gifted fiddle player/violinist Michelle Edwards of Wirewood Station. Because she appreciates the important work of TLC and she recognizes the contribution of our volunteers toward that mission, she donated her time to come out and play this event.
Michelle wasn’t the only one to donate services and goods to the event. A huge THANK YOU to the following businesses as well:
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Thanks also goes to the following TLC volunteers who worked before and during this event (ugh … when this was supposed to be for them!).
| Ed Hettler, DJ & Sound | Dean Snow, Photography | Pattie Hettler, Set up |
| Robin Snow, Set up | James Carlton, Parking & Hayride | Jasen Alvarado, Parking & Hayride |
| Zach Brown, Bartender and “Brett Butler” |
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 Board members in the forest – Joe, Rob and Benny
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 Left to Right: Kathleen, Doug, Chris and Wilma |
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 Left to Right: Claudia, Gwynne and Leslie |
 Haley Chapin, Executive Director, welcoming and thanking all the volunteers for their support and hard work. |
 TLC Board President Joe Dague offers a few thoughts and thanks. |
 Zach Brown, aka Brett Butler and Paula Blair, aka Charlotte O’Mara |
Because this year’s event was based on a picnic theme, most of the humorous awards contained the word ‘ant’! The following volunteers were awarded in this category.
Gwynne Allen, Clairvoyant (She knows what we want her to do before we do!)
Lynne Lane, Brilliant Cook (and all around fantastic volunteer!)
Carol Bray, Most Jubilant
Claudia Lyon, Greatest “Ant” Ever
Rob Hickman, Sassy Pants
Ed & Pattie Hettler, Can’t Say No
Sharon Sossin, Creative Card Consultant
Other humorous awards went to the following:
The Dynamic Duo – Ken & Karen Hofmockel
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Jamie Brumond, Leslie Pillmore and Laurie McGrath – Weary Walmart Women (for sorting, inventorying and shelving all the Walmart donations!)
The 2018 Winners of our major awards were:
Karen Campbell & Vic Blasi – “Newcomers of the Year”
Steve Gras – “Open Door Award”
Sue Reinecke – “Above and Beyond Award”
Your Rocky Mountain Home Team – “Collaborative Partner Award”
Peggy McFarland – “Lifetime Service Award”
John Crouse – “TLC Volunteer of the Year”
 Collaborative Partner Award – Your Rocky Mountain Home Team (L to R: Lisa, Kari, John and Tyson). Every month, on the first weekend, they staff the “Buy It Forward” table at King Soopers – a way for people’s to support TLC by buying pre-packaged bags of food to stock our pantry. Since they have been staffing the tables, 100 bags per month are bought.
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 John Crouse (L) the 2018 Volunteer of the Year and Dave Ross (R) 2017 Volunteer of the Year, hold the “giant check” showing the number of hours TLC volunteers worked and the monetary value of those hours: 11,351 hours = $330,997. |
Congratulations to the above volunteers and a BIG THANKS to all of you for what you do for TLC!
Taste of Tri-Lakes Cares – May 9, 2018
Thank you to all of our sponsors, participating restaurants, TLC game tables, volunteers and everyone who came to the event! Enjoy the photos, courtesy of volunteer photographer Dean Snow.
If you attended the event, please take our survey.
Client Appreciation – September 21, 2017
We had a beautiful day for our quarterly client appreciation day, welcoming our clients to a day of fun activities.
Thanks to Wendy’s (13481 Bass Pro Drive location) for helping to provide 200 potatoes and all the fixn’s for the baked potato bar and to Pike’s Pop Kettle Korn for the fresh-popped kettle corn.
A prize wheel was set up with prizes of cooking gadgets and healthy eating resources. Everyone had a great time and show support of their favorite football team by wearing their colors. There was a lot of orange!
 Baked potatoes and kettle corn under a blue Colorado sky. |
 Ready for the doors to open! |
 Helping those coming through our doors. |
 We love to conduct surveys to better understand the impact we have on the lives of those we help. |
 Shopping for fresh veggies in the “Help Yourself” market. |
 The Prize Wheel was spinning and people were winning! |
 With all the fun downstairs, the volunteers up in the pantry were working hard! |
Volunteer Appreciation – September 6, 2017
“TLC Goes Camping” – this was the theme for this year’s Volunteer Appreciation Celebration held on Wednesday, September 6th on the beautiful premises of Living Word Chapel. Camping attire was encouraged. The weather was pleasant with the evening sun providing a golden ambient light.
As volunteers and guests checked in, they were given comfy hoodies embossed with the Tri-Lakes Cares logo – all made possible because of the donation of space, food and set-up by the generous people at Living Word Chapel. The evening began with appetizers and mingling in the rustic outdoor setting, with live background music provided by the Nathan John Band.
 Heidi and Kim at the check-in desk. |
 At check-in volunteers received a hoodie sweatshirt. |
 Living Word Chapel members staffed the bar. Pikes Peak Brewing provided the beer. |
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 Nathan John Band |
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 Yummy appetizers! |
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After “happy hour”, we all moved indoors for a fabulous meal, prepared by chef Mike Hoard of Living Word Chapel. After dinner, Kelly Bryant made opening remarks and Camp Counselor Chloe (aka TLC’s very own Case Manager, Paula Blair) provided some entertainment. This was followed by words of welcome and thanks from Haley Chapin, TLC’s Executive Director. Board President, Joe Dague, also welcomed and thanked volunteers on behalf of the board.
Haley introduced volunteer Doug Pinney, who is also a local woodworker. He unveiled the new “Help Yourself Market” sign that he designed and created for Tri-Lakes Cares. Everyone was very impressed and thanked him.
 Inside for dinner |
 Opening remarks by Kelly |
 Camp Counselor “Chloe” (aka Paula) and her co-worker Annette. |
 Board president Joe Dague |
 Executive Director Haley Chapin |
 Doug and his “Help Yourself” sign |
Following the presentation of Doug’s sign, Tri-Lakes Cares staff proceeded with the awards:
Kool Kid at Camp / Kool and the Gang presented to the volunteers who set up the Help Yourself Market area each week: Doug Pinney, Desi Warwick, Linda Barcus, Herman Hanner, Eric Dahlstrom, Vinnie Gallagher, Dave Nelson, Dave Ross, Patt Murphy, and Steve Vermeersch.
Kool Kid at Camp / Kool an Gang
Camp Storyteller / Historian presented to Jim Bergeron who is also known as “Mr. TLC” and has a vast personal knowledge of TLC. Jim graciously shared two or three stories of the good old days at TLC.
Camp Storyteller & Historian
Crafty Campers presented to the “Circle of Friends” group who used their crafting skills to make over 3,000 ornaments for the Giving Tree program. Marie Zombory and Margaret Pasolli were present to accept their award. The other ladies from the group – Terry Baty, Joyce Wohlfort and Sabrina Campbell – were unable to attend.
Crafty Campers
Comeback Kid presented to Marilyn DeBoodt, who has battled serious health issues over the last year but has returned to work in “Help Yourself”
Annette (R) greets Marilyn, the Comeback Kid
“Glamper” of the Year presented to Peggy McFarland who is always “put together” when she arrives to work.
Peggy – “Glamper of the Year”
Dynamic Duo presented to Chris and Wilma Steenbergen who share their volunteer duties on Monday evenings – he works in the pantry upstairs and she oversees the “Help Yourself” area.
 Dynamic Duo |
 Showing off their capes! |
Smokey the Bear – “Putting out Fires” presented to Bob McGuffee who always steps in to help where needed – in the pantry, doing pickups, helping with inventory, etc.
Bob – Smokey the Bear, Putting out Fires
Happy Camper presented to Desi Warwick whose laugh always brings a smile to everyone’s face.
Happy Camper Desi
Grizzly Bear Award presented to Ed Whisenhunt for his quiet strength and muscles anytime heavy lifting or moving needs to be done (fridges and filing cabinets).
Ed, the Grizzly Bear
We Need S’more Volunteers Like You presented to John Crouse, an all-round volunteer who takes the lead in many pantry related projects.
Bigfoot Award presented to John Dickinson, for his leadership on the Monday pantry team, and for his participation in special projects.
John (L) S’More Volunteers like you and John (R), Big Foot
Collaborative Partner of the Year presented to Trista Aamodt of Kneaders Bakery and Café for her continued support of Tri-Lakes Cares. In the past year, she has donated 6,000 lbs of bread and other bakery products.
Kim with Trista of Kneaders, our Collaborative Partner of the Year
Newcomer Award, presented to Herman Hanner as a new 2017 volunteer who is constantly filling in and stepping into needs that might occur on the days that he works. (He was not present at the event.)
Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Steve Vermeersch for his 10 years of service in many areas including pantry, Help Yourself, food pick-up, support of the holiday programs, etc.
Kelly presents Steve with the Lifetime Achievement Award
Volunteer of the Year Award presented to Dave Ross for his work as a board member, committee member, Help Yourself set-up volunteer, etc.
Dave, winner of Volunteer of the Year, with Kelly
Over all – everyone had a great time! We thank our volunteers without whom we would not be able to do the work that we do. The value of total volunteer hours this past year is $334,468, representing 12,879 hours!
Dave and Haley with the “big check”!
Client Appreciation – March 13, 2017
On Monday, March 13, we celebrated our clients on “Client Appreciation Day”. This is a quarterly event, when groups of different staff members plan and put together a fun event with food and sometimes games and a theme.
This time we did “Texas with an Irish Twist” – everyone was encouraged to wear green, we decorated with shamrocks and played Irish music. Food was catered by Texas Roadhouse – their yummy chili and rolls. Cakes came from the culinary school at Johnson and Wales University in Denver (their bakery and pastry arts program). And, Cub Scout Troop 217 in Monument put together “blessing bags” to be distributed as well – these bags were decorated with a leprechaun and contained a toothbrush, toothpaste and some savory and salty snacks.
Everyone seemed to have a great time.
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Holiday Distribution at Tri-Lakes Cares
Due to the cold, snowy weather on Saturday, December 17, we had to reschedule our holiday distribution (food baskets, toys for children and gifts for seniors) for Monday, December 19 and Tuesday, December 20.
Thanks to the generosity of the Tri-Lakes community we were able to help 137 households, impacting 197 children and 66 seniors.
There are so many people to thank who made this such a success.
First, the many volunteers who help organize, purchase and prepare the food bags and the gift boxes. A special thank you to the core group of the Giving Tree team: Barbara Vermeersch, Kelly Cotter, Diane Anderson, Leslie Deutschlander and Sheila Smith. They have spent countless hours over the past decade (and more!) making sure children and seniors have gifts to open during the holidays. These ladies have decided to retire from the Giving Tree program this year and they will work with staff and new volunteers to ensure a smooth transition for Christmas 2017.
Thank you to the Kiwanis Key Club Kids of Palmer Ridge who came in the Wednesday before and packed 160 food bags.
Thank you to all the Giving Tree locations, who provided space for a tree and encouraged employees, customers, club member and parishioners “to shop” the ornaments: Palmer Divide Quilters, Monument Vision, Fairfield Inn, Monument Library, Covered Treasures, Expectations, Catriona Wine Cellars. First National Bank, Navsys Corporation, Monumental Miniatures & Toys, Tri-Lakes Women’s Club, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Little Log Church, Messenger International, Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Tri-Lakes Cruisers, St. Peter Catholic Church, King Soopers (Monument), Monument Town Hall, Premier Vision, Margo’s on the Alley, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Tri-Lakes Printing, DePuy Synthes, Curves, YMCA (Monument), Trinity Lutheran Church, Texas Roadhouse (Monument), CSHP, Living Word Chapel, The Shafer Group, Smallcakes: A Cupcakery & Creamery Colo Springs.
Thank you to Monument Hill Kiwanis for helping on the day of distribution, directing traffic and loading bags and boxes.
Thank you to Bob Mikulas who allowed us to use his building space rent-free for a few weeks to prepare for the gift distribution.
Thank you to the Coffee Cup for sharing freezer space to store frozen turkeys.
Thank you to Home Depot (Monument) for letting us purchase packing boxes at a reduced cost.
Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 3591 for baking fresh bread products and cookies and to Glen Cassa’s preschool program who put together baking bags (containing spices and baking products).
We are so grateful to everyone! It truly proves that it “takes a village” to make such an event a success! THANK YOU!!
If we missed your name or organization, please know it is not intentional. Please contact us and we will update our information.
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Bustling Day at Tri-Lakes Cares
On Monday, December 12th, things were hopping at Tri-Lakes Cares. We had client appreciation sharing the holiday spirit with clients. Suzanne and Ed manned the hot chocolate bar with an array of holiday goodies. Seniors were picking up their “senior grocery” bags; others were picking up their monthly commodities. DarLee and Lynne provided samples and recipes (salad, cookies and mini-muffins) to clients which can be made with items typically available through “Help Yourself” and the pantry.
In addition, there were two special services:
Free haircuts were provided Nikki, a stylist who works at Sola Salon & Studios in Colorado Springs.
Brand-new PJ’s were given away by Rauquel, Tammie and Patricia. The PJ’s were collected throughout School District 38 by Rauquel’s daughter, MacKenzie.
And finally, the staff provided holiday goodies for all the volunteers in the upstairs conference room in appreciation for their hard work throughout the year.
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“Do GOOD Drinking”
On Tuesday, November 29th, Tri-Lakes Cares joined with four other organizations (Black Forest Animal Sanctuary, Trails & Open Space Coalition, Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center and New Horizons Band of Colorado Springs) at Pikes Peak Brewing for a fun event with live music, great beer and fun conversations. Music was provided by a trio from New Horizons. And, $1 from every beer sold was pooled and split amongst the five groups. Thank you to Pikes Peak Brewing for hosting this event!!
We are all part of the 2016 Give! Campaign – a community-wide giving program covering El Paso County and Teller County. You can learn more and donate at indygive.com.
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Thanksgiving Basket Give-away
On Saturday, November 19th Tri-Lakes Cares distributed Thanksgiving Holiday Food bags. 115 families picked up their turkey and all the fixins’! Thank you to the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club, TLC board members, volunteers and staff for helping with this fun event!
A HUGE thank you goes to Girl Scout Troop 3591 who baked over 300 loaves of bread and other goodies which were also given out.
Tri-Lakes Cruisers donated 300 lbs. of turkeys and Care & Share provided us with over 1,000 lbs of turkey and chicken.
Of course, a huge THANK YOU goes out to the whole community for helping through the Harvest of Love drive in early November! A total of 1,871 lbs of turkeys/chickens and 2,130 lbs. of holiday food items were distributed, for a total of 4,001 lbs. of food!
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Thanksgiving Bag packing
On Wednesday, November 16th, kids from the Kiwanis Key Club of Palmer Ridge came and packed 162 bags in 1.5 hours getting ready for the Thanksgiving give-away on Saturday! We couldn’t do it without you!
In addition, about 100 bags were decorated by kiddos from Palmer Lake Early Childhood Center and Lewis Palmer Elementary Preschool.
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Empty Bowls 2016
On October 5, Monument Hill Kiwanis Club held their annual Empty Bowls fund-raiser benefiting Tri-Lakes Cares. The community enjoyed soup donated by local restaurants in bowls created and donated by local artists. Attendees also engaged in lively bidding for many wonderful items donated to the silent auction.
In addition, Haley, TLC’s Executive Director, presented to the Club the 2016 Outstanding Grantmaking Organization award from the Partners in Philanthropy Awards. The award was originally presented at a ceremony on September 28th.
Thank you to everyone who attended, donated or volunteered for this wonderful event!
