LYONS RECORDER NOVEMBER 14, 2014

Ask anyone who has ever been to Hawaii, and they will tell you that Aloha, translates to: “hello,” “good bye,” and/or “I love you,” depending on the circumstances. Well after last Friday night’s Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) annual Gala, we might have to add “job well done” and “great party” to the list of possible translations.

LCF’s annual fundraising Gala at Lionscrest Manor was an unqualified success in any language.

An absolutely giant thank-you has to go out to the “Big Kahunas” Bob and Leona Forsberg, hosts and owners of Lionscrest, who had the Manor decked out and looking great. The gala wouldn’t be the same if it wasn’t held up on the hill. Also big ups go to Dan and Kristin Bruckner of A Spice of Life catering. The meal was great (especially the little pull-pork and pineapple pizza hor d’oeuvres). A thank-you also has to go out to all the local/area businesses and individuals who donated so much to the auctions and bar, etc. This was truly a community endeavor, and could not have been possible without all of the generous donations.

The numbers are still being crunched, but it looks as if this may very well turn out to be the most successful Gala ever. The “Paddle Raiser” took in almost $12,000. The “Live” auction (a Hawaiian feast by Sue Wratten, a floral painting by Mimi Elmore, and seven nights in a Hawaii condo, compliments of the Forsbergs) and the “Silent” auction (literally two pages of donated items) together brought in another $16,000. Add to that, gifts and ticket sales, and the total for the evening was somewhere just north of $30,000!

And the best thing about the evening is that all the money that was raised goes back into the community in the form of grants to organizations, scholarships, and worthy causes that help to make Lyons such a special place to live. In all, the LCF gave out twenty-eight grants, totaling slightly more than fifty-one thousand dollars. The grants ranged in amount from five hundred dollars, to as much as five thousand. The recipients covered the spectrum of the Lyons community; history camp for elementary school children to meals-on-wheels for our elderly residents, from the 9Health Fair to the holiday fireworks display, books for reading programs to the Lyons Youth Baseball and Softball Association, area humane societies to concerts in the park, the high school robotics team to the Lyons Community Food Pantry. The LCF mission statement says it all, “The Lyons Community Foundation exists to improve the quality of life, build a culture of giving, and encourage positive change for the greater Lyons area."
Job well done, you throw a great party! Can’t wait till next year. Until then, “Aloha.

REDSTONE REVIEW November 2014
LCF Community Grants Announced: Spotlight on 9Health Fair

By Kristen Bruckner

The Lyons Community Foundation celebrated the recipients of the 2014 Community Grant Awards during its annual gala last week.  The event showcased the 24 separate projects totaling almost $50,000 funded through the LCF’s annual Community Grants cycle.  The focused grants support specific endeavors that enhance the quality of life in and around Lyons.  These include a variety of groups such as the Lyons Food pantry and assistance to seniors, public art and music, enrichment and academic support in Lyons schools, and support for volunteer groups working to make a difference.  For a complete description of these and other projects, visit www.lyonscf.org/community-support.   

A major success story for LCF funded programs over the last five years is the 9Health Fair.  Supported in part by an LCF Community Support grant, this event serves to provide free and low cost medical screenings and for an average of 450 residents each year.  The 9Health Fair is part of a state-wide program that has been held around Colorado for the past 25 years and whose sole mission is promoting health awareness and encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their own healthcare.   The one-day fair offers important tests and medical evaluations for area residents who otherwise might not have access to these potentially life-saving services.  Free and low cost evaluations include basic blood chemistry screenings, nutrition screenings, skin-cancer checks, vision and eye health, cervical and prostate screenings, hearing and oral health.  There is also a huge educational component, with attendees learning about nutrition, disease prevention and mental health services. 

The 9Health fair has been held in Lyons since 2009 and operates on a surprisingly low overhead, thanks largely to the work of over 100 medical and non-medical volunteers.  The LCF grant of $1900 goes towards administrative and overhead expenses, as a vast majority of the costs are donated by members of the local community.  Kim Mitchell has recently taken the reigns as the site coordinator for the 2015 fair.  She oversees the entire event from grant writing, facility scheduling and layout, set up and conducting organizational meetings.  Sue Wratten is the medical coordinator, and Pam Browning will coordinate non-medical volunteers for this year’s event.  Other residents such as Dawn Weller, Lora Gilson, Amy Munson, and Edward Kean also play big roles in the production and coordination of this huge community effort.  All told, an estimated 600 hours go into the planning and execution of the Lyons fair. 

There have been many stories of residents who have had potentially life-changing results due to the screenings provided.  Former site coordinator Jonelle Tucker has a personal story of the value of the Health Fair. “During a routine skin check, they discovered a cancerous growth that I had operated on and removed.  The outcome was a success due to the availability of this simple exam.  I know there are countless more of these stories for residents who have been able to address health concerns that might otherwise have gone unchecked”.  The yearly blood screenings are able to provide a consistent record on results such as blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.  For people going without routine medical care, this is an invaluable service that can augment what someone might be able to seek with a regular medical provider. 

The 2015 9Health Fair will be held on April 18th at Lyons High School.  For more information on the health fair go to www.9healthfair.org, or to become involved locally, contact Kim Mitchell, Site Coordinator for Lyons at PO box 1104 Lyons, CO 80540 or email: [email protected].   

In addition to celebrating the Community Grant recipients, the LCF Gala is a major fundraiser for the Lyons Community Foundation.  The annual event provides a jump start for funding projects in 2015.  This year’s event raised an estimated $32,000; however, there is still a huge need to raise funds.  Emily Dusel, Executive Director for the LCF acknowledges, “while we are proud to support so many worthwhile projects, we have lots of unmet need.  We receive roughly double the amount of funding requests than we are able to award every year.  The population of Lyons since the flood is still struggling, with an estimated 15% living in poverty.  LCF will continue to support flood relief and rebuilding efforts, but is also focused on the ability of Lyons to thrive in the long term.  Donations to the foundation allow for planning and sustainability of our efforts in the months and years to come”. 

The Lyons Community Foundation exists to improve the quality of life, build a culture of giving, and encourage positive change in the greater Lyons area.  The LCF is gratefully accepting year-end tax deductible contributions that may be applied to Community Support Grants, Flood Relief/Rebuild Lyons, or scholarships.   For more information or to make a donation please visit www.lyonscf.org or call  720.29LYONS. 

 

Kristen Bruckner is the communications specialist for the Lyons Community Foundation.  She lives in Lyons with her husband and three children.  

By Kristen Bruckner

Lyons Fire Protection District (LFPD) lost firehouse 2 in the flood last September.  Rebuilding efforts for the critical hub for fighting fires in remote areas of Lyons served are underway thanks, in part, to a grant from the Lyons Community Foundation.  By leveraging insurance money, an LCF grant and donations from the local community, the LFPD plans to build a new station that meets the current wild land and urban firefighting needs but also address issues that will serve the Lyons area for the next 20-30 years. 

The losses sustained by the LFPD in last year’s flood were large.  Not only was Fire station 2 lost, but also destroyed was a brand new engine in a heroic rescue of a citizen on Longmont Dam Road as well as numerous pieces of equipment such as radios, hoses, and ladders.   The former station, located on Stagecoach road in the Larimer county portion of the district was on leased land and nearly the entire lot was washed downriver.   The new station will be built out of the flood plain on Larimer County Rd 37E. 

Lyons FPD serves all of the greater Lyons area.  This includes not only the 2000 residents in town, but also an additional 3000 residents in the surrounding areas including parts of Boulder and Larimer Counties.  This includes the more remote areas such as the Blue Mountain district, where Fire Station 2 was located.  Not only is a fire house a necessity in firefighting efforts in these areas, but also critical in providing the fire protection coverage required by homeowner’s insurance policies.  

Like roughly 75% of all fire stations across the nation, the Lyons Fire Department is almost all staffed by volunteers.  Funding does not cover basic training and often necessary equipment.  The fire department has had to become creative in its funding and staffing efforts.  For example,   Chief J.J. Hoffman has implemented an internship exchange program to provide critical training to new recruits in exchange for service shifts at the firehouse as well as a two year service commitment after they complete their basic training.  Fundraising by the department has including selling T-shirts and calendars, and the old stand-by “passing around the boot”.

In addition to the Lyons Community Foundation grant, other local individuals and businesses have stepped up to help the department rebuild and move forward.  Spirit Hound Distillery recently donated $10,000 to the LFPD, Planet Bluegrass solicited significant donations during its festivals, and the Cyclists4Lyons events helped to raise funds.  There was “Fight Fire with Beer” event this fall and a black tie fundraiser coming up at the Greenbriar  www.lfpdblacktie.weebly.com.  An additional LCF grant has also helped to pay for the repair/recovery of a 30,000 gallon cistern that was severely damaged at the original station and will be used for future firefighting efforts. 

The cost of the new facility is estimated upwards of ¾ of a million dollars.  Flood insurance covered the building lost in the flood but not the land or a variety of other building costs.  An estimated shortfall is roughly $360,000. Phase 1 of the new station will include a shell garage and will be able to house equipment and vehicles that are currently in a temporary storage at the Lyons Fire house.  Moving this equipment to the new station will allow several vehicles and other equipment that is currently being kept outside, to move into indoor, weather-protected storage.  The foundation on this building should be poured in the next week and construction will start immediately. 

Plans for a Phase 2 Plans portion of the fire house will include offices, training and meeting space and eventually a heli-pad.  The new fire station will not only allow these areas to be served but will also house Colorado Division of Fire Protection and Control employees who will provide actual paid staffing five days per week.  Having a presence of volunteers and a consistent staff adds to the overall ability to provide safety and services to this part of the Lyons District.  The goal for this part of the facility is to build it in the next year or two. 

For more information on the Lyons Fire Department or its rebuilding efforts, please contact the station at [email protected] or call the nonemergency number 303.823.6611.  For more information on the Lyons Community Foundation and its efforts in rebuilding and enhancing life in the greater Lyons area, see www.lyonscf.org or call  720.29LYONS.