Businesses That Help CaPR
Business Highlights and Giving Back
Flying High: Veterans Giving to CaPR Todd Saucier and Michael Burnell, Air Force veterans with 14 years of combined service, started A Better View, Inc., their Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, in 2004 in Colorado Springs. Although “A Better View” refers to their window washing business, CaPR sees a double meaning: Mike and Todd have a better view of how business is conducted. Their Business Plan incorporates charitable giving and Canine Partners is the lucky recipient. Years ago, Todd learned of a business that donated a portion of their profits to a service dog organization. When he and Mike were formulating their business plan, incorporating charitable giving was “a given.” Although their own disabilities do not severely limit them, they chose Canine Partners because they understand the role service dogs have in the lives of people with severe mobility limitations. They also wanted to support a service dog organization that places dogs locally so qualified Colorado veterans can have local access to one of Canine Partners’ highly skilled service dogs. These entrepreneurs believe building quality relationships with customers is enhanced when businesses involve their customers in charitable giving. “There is no downside to supporting Canine Partners” said Mike Burnell, “There are three winners: customers, because they know a portion of what they pay goes to support a charitable organization; A Better View, because we are giving back to the community; and Canine Partners, because they receive the funds.” Canine Partners shares the belief that businesses helping people in their community inspire others to do the same. We also know many consumers want to have relationships with businesses whose good service is matched by their good deeds. We are very appreciative of Mike and Todd, who have pledged one percent of their company’s gross 2008 earnings to support Canine Partners’ mission. If you, or someone you know, is a disabled veteran in need of a service dog and would like to learn more about Canine Partners, please call us at 303.364.9040.
Moye White – Our Partner in Law
Moye White is a progressive and full-service law firm, specializing in commercial transactions and litigation. Not only is it one of the most innovative, creative, and technologically advanced law firms in Colorado, but its strong sense of community responsibility is evidenced by its support of many non-profit and civic organizations in the region. Since 2006, Moye White has provided pro bono services to CaPR. We are very grateful to Ingrid Hovland and Deborah DiDomenico for initiating this sincere and enduring partnership.
Most recently, Moye White attorneys Robert Roper and Melissa Ryan have been assisting CaPR with the accreditation process for Assistance Dogs International. Their legal advice, preparation of documents and consummate attention to detail has been invaluable to CaPR. PostNet—Helping People with Disabilities Kathleen Gueymard, Canine Partner’s volunteer Executive Director, was looking for a printer and found Jason Bushman, a member of PostNet’s ownership team in Lowry.
Little did she know, Jason has a long history of personally and professionally helping people with disabilities. Kathleen explained Canine Partners’ mission and our need for a printer to help us with our newsletter. As they spoke, Jason recognized an opportunity to extend his support to the disabled community and offered to discount Canine Partners’ printing costs. Jason’s passion for helping organizations that assist people with disabilities was literally on display last year as he was a sponsor for the 2007 Denver Commission for People with Disabilities and the Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations Award Breakfast. Jason’s handiwork was seen in many of the printed materials used in marketing the breakfast. Jason takes great pleasure in consulting with his clients and offering them advice on how to create a “better image” and “more forceful message” through their printed materials.
He knows growing his clients’ businesses in turn, grows his business. Visit Jason at www.postnet.com or on our website http://caninepartnersoftherockies.org/links.html.
GoodShop.comPlanning on some online shopping this holiday season? There's an exciting way to shop online that will directly benefit Canine Partners of the Rockies --- and the donation won’t cost you one added cent! Simply visit GoodShop.com, select Canine Partners of the Rockies as your cause, and choose from the many merchant categories on the left side of the page. Click through to your favorite retailer, and a percentage of your purchase will be donated by the retailer to CaPR. Participating retailers include Amazon, eBay, Macys.com, iTunes, LandsEnd.com, Nordstrom.com, OldNavy.com, Sephora.com, ToysRUs.com and thousands more! Special coupons and discounts are also offered by retailers when you shop through GoodShop.com. It’s easy and fun to shop online just as you normally do, and help CaPR at the same time. So spread the word and start shopping, and donating, today! CaPR Updates
Kathleen Gueymard’s term on the Board of Directors is complete and she is rotating off the Board effective 12/31/08. In addition to most recently serving as the Board’s Treasurer, Kathleen gave numerous hours to CaPR as the Board President, as a volunteer grant writer, as a volunteer Executive Director and as a special events volunteer. We wish Kathleen all the best and thank her for her years of tireless service. If you are a federal, state or municipal government employee, we hope you will consider donating to Canine Partners through the convenience and ease of your workplace giving/payroll deduction option.
For the first time, Canine Partners is participating in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the Combined Colorado Campaign (CCC) and many municipal workplace giving programs. The CFC is a workplace giving program for all federal employees including members of the US military and U.S. postal service. The CCC is for all Colorado State employees. CaPR’s campaign codes are: CFC 22961 CCC 3452 Municipal government employees can find Canine Partners of the Rockies listed under Local Independent Charities of American in their workplace giving booklets. CaPR’s code in the City and County of Denver campaign is 3424. The Board of Directors has expanded with the addition of new members Judi Heady, Christine Gillow and Marilyn Brown. The Board also has established a Grant Writing Committee and a Development Committee. Barb Cardell is heading up the Grant Writing Committee with assistance from committee members Karen Karvonen, Kathleen Gueymard, and Salina Whitaker. The Development Committee members are Anne Gross, Christine Gillow, Dona Mendoza and Judi Heady. Board President, Kathleen Hynes, is heading up the Development Committee until one of the members is ready to take over. The Development Committee is responsible for determining which events CaPR will participate in for generating revenues and increasing public awareness about our program. CaPR will be generating revenues and increasing public awareness about our program by participating in the second annual Holiday Gifts for Pets and Their People, a craft fair and pet event being held November 8 & 9 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) at Tagawa Gardens, 7711 S. Parker Road in Centennial. CaPR will be selling pillows, tote bags, dog beds and other handcrafted items made by our fabulous volunteers. The event organizers are calling all pets “to leash up and bring your people” to this fun event which includes shopping, pet pictures with Santa, low cost micro-chipping, carolers, a bake sale and much more. (Cash and checks will be accepted by vendors.) Thank you to all the volunteers who staffed CaPR booths at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Pridefest and Oktoberfest. These three events generated much needed revenues for CaPR. We made $3,079.17 at the CCAF, $771.00 at Pridefest and $2,702.89 at Oktoberfest. Thanks, volunteers! We couldn’t do it without you.
20/20 Club
What Makes You Happy?
Maybe you need the 20/20 Club? Read on… “Researchers gave college students a $5 or $20 bill, asking them to spend the money by that evening. Half the participants were instructed to spend the money on themselves, and the remaining students where asked to spend it on others. Participants who spent the windfall on others — which included toys for siblings and meals eaten with friends — reported feeling happier at the end of the day than those who spent the money on themselves.” (2008 LiveScience.com) You are already involved with CaPR which means you experience giving back to your community. All of us at CaPR are thankful whether you give of your time or money. We are offering you another opportunity to feel happier – The 20/20 Club. The 20/20 Club was created to promote individualized fundraising. It’s an on your own time, in your own way, at your own pace approach to fundraising. Our goal was to recruit 20 magnificent people who would agree to each raise $1,000 (total of $20,000) for CaPR in 2008. We are half way to our goal with this year’s recruits, and we are now recruiting for 2009. We are asking YOU to join 20/20 Club 2009! That gives you 14 months to raise $1,000 (that's less than $72 per month). You’re probably asking yourself, “How can I personally raise $1,000 in this economy?” Here are some ideas: - Plan a birthday celebration and invite your friends and family. Ask your guests to write a check to CaPR instead of buying you a gift. (Donations are tax deductible. CaPR is a 501(c)(3) organization.) Provide a silent auction table at your party for an additional bang.
- For the holidays, tell your family you are making a contribution in their name to CaPR instead of buying them gifts. You’ll both feel happier. (We already have too much stuff.)
- Ever “go that extra mile” and receive an honorarium or bonus? Give CaPR a portion and feel happier, not once, but twice.
- Ever find money on the street?
- Like to bake? Have a cookie sale at work. (Get the bosses’ ok first.)
- Everyday put all your change in a jar -- pennies add up.
- Meeting friends for lunch? Say you’ll bring a picnic lunch and ask them to donate the money they saved.
- Or, do you eat out for lunch? Pack a lunch one or two times a week and put that money towards CaPR.
Can we count on you to take the challenge to become happier? Take the first step and call or email me for more information about 20/20 Club 2009. Dona Mendoza 303-388-8097 Not up to the challenge now? How about making a one-time contribution? Graduation Day!
Saturday, August 9th was a special day for five people and five dogs as they celebrated their graduation from Canine Partners of the Rockies’ training program. There were smiles (who says dogs don't smile?!) and an occasional tear of happiness as these dogs and their “humans” became partners for life. The Puppy Raisers and Advanced Trainers were there, with great pride at the accomplishments of the dogs they raised and trained. Indeed, the parting of these dogs and their trainers is a bittersweet event, but knowing the dogs are ready to assist their new partners brings a deep sense of achievement and gratification. Puppy Raisers and Advanced Trainers for this graduating class include: Anika Egloff, Michelle Goldner, Sandy Gregory and family, Nana Will, Pat Owen, Susan Zucker, Sue Arijo, Roger Miller, Barb Calhoon, Dixie Cook, Chris Tomford, and Marie Seelmeyer. Many previous graduates attended the ceremony and related the differences in their lives since they received their dogs. Assistance with everyday tasks such as taking laundry out of the dryer can affect lives in profound ways. Mary Kirkham, former Coordinator of Volunteers, composed an open letter to CaPR, its trainers and the dogs. She described how her companion, Barr, helps her pay at high counters while she is in her chair and how he provides the balance she needs when she is walking. She pointed out with gratitude the many people who have been "keys to our village.” A former graduate from Fort Collins, Rich Dixon, spoke on “Things Our Dogs Teach Us.” The independence service dogs provide their owners creates the possibility for owners to meet their own needs. Life is a team sport and interdependence is a powerful thing. With the independence his dog Monte has provided, the formerly retired Mr. Dixon is on to a second career as a writer and motivational speaker. You can read about his journey in detail at his website, richdixon.net. Chris Tomford, a graduate and active CaPR volunteer, created a 2008 video of the graduates. The pictures of the dogs and people was a tribute to the program and there was more than one tear as it was shown. The CaPR dogs are undoubtedly the most photogenic in Colorado! The Graduation ended with an impressive interaction between both dogs and humans. CaPR has become a family: a group of independent/interdependent people who appreciate the strengths and accomplishments of their fellow service dogs and owners. And that is the greatest accomplishment of all!! To find out more about becoming a part of this amazing experience, just give the office a call at 303.364.9040.
Puppy Program News
Our Puppy Program is growing! We would like to welcome new Puppy Raisers: Tammy BacaMontoya, Candace Bruce-Andrews, Charlene Clark, Jim Glaser, Jules Graeve, Jeanette Liang, Barb Page Bullock, and Laura Pintane. We also have several new Puppy Sitters: Jenni Cardell, Elaine Hayoz, Thomas & Barbara Kawczynski, Bill & Lauren Klopfenstein, Nancy Leibig, Collin Metzer, Duane Parker, Sarah Secor, Don & Linda Smith, and Katy Wanek. Welcome to the CaPR team! CaPR has recently added 6 Labrador retriever puppies into the Puppy Program; Kit, Kim, KG, Kersey, Kokomo and Karson. We received two puppies, Loma and Lamar, from Laughing Eyes Kennels in New Mexico. Laughing Eyes has an excellent socialization and training program for their young puppies.
Ranger, raised by Dawn and Paul Stipe, has entered Advanced Training. Thank you Dawn and Paul for raising Ranger! We hope that he will become a successful service dog.
Cowboy and Nugget have been released from the program. Thank you Sheila Allen and Kathy Roman for all of your hard work with these dogs! Cowboy has returned to his Puppy Raiser, Sheila, and Nugget has found a loving home in another state.
It takes very dedicated volunteers to produce amazing service dogs. Our Puppy Raisers have the important job of turning a young, untrained puppy into a well-mannered service dog candidate. They do a great job training and socializing these puppies. It is a huge gift and very selfless to spend over a year working with a puppy that will eventually leave to become a helpmate to someone with limited mobility. We are so thankful for the time, effort, and finances that our Puppy Raisers generously donate. Our Puppy Sitters are a great group of volunteers as well. We are thankful to have loving homes for our dogs to stay in while their raisers are away.
Puppy Classes are held twice a month. Detailed information about upcoming classes can be found on the CaPR website calendar. Often we meet at the office and training center. This summer we did go on a couple of “Field Trips”. The puppies and their raisers took a ride on the Littleton Light Rail. In August we met at the pool for a fun “doggie swim day”. In October we went to the Pumpkin Harvest Festival at 4 Mile Historic Park. Anyone who is interested in becoming a Puppy Raiser or Puppy Sitter is encouraged to attend one of our classes.
le Tour de Pooch 2008
 Labor Day weekend began with beautiful weather and a lot of fun and friendship as about fifty hardy cyclists gathered in Fort Collins for le Tour de Pooch 2008. The main route took riders on a winding fifty-kilometer trek along bike trails, through numerous parks, and a leg that paralleled the magnificent foothills on the western edge of Fort Collins. One brave rider added to the challenge by climbing the road to Horsetooth Reservoir and then ascending Maniac Hill, an incredibly steep road whose summit offers a panoramic view of the entire Front Range and the eastern plains. A new addition for 2008 was a ten-kilometer family/pooch ride. A wide assortment of families and dogs chose this option, including the smallest member of the pack—a five-pound terrier who hitched a ride in a handlebar-mounted basket. One group managed to get lost on this route, though it’s suspected that they used poor directions as an excuse to stop for coffee and doughnuts. Three hand cyclists completed the ride, including the day’s athletic achievement winner, Bob Meserve. Bob did fifty miles, went home and showered, and still made it back for the end-of-ride party. In addition to fun and exercise, the riders’ generosity also raised over $1400 to support CaPR’s efforts. We had a great party at the end, including beer donated by Odells Brewing, a local Fort Collins brewer. We’re already looking forward to the 2009 edition of le Tour de Pooch. This small-scale event is relatively easy to organize, publicize, and operate. It’s a fun and positive way to raise awareness and funds at the same time. Please contact CaPR if you’d be interested in spreading the fun and fund raising possibilities of this event to your community. |
Canine Partners
of the Rockies, Inc.
Donate Now
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In This Issue
- Business Highlights
- GoodShop.com
- CaPR Updates
- 20/20 Club
- Graduation 2008
- Puppy Program News
- le Tour de Pooch
Upcoming
Events:
Holiday Gifts for Pets and Their People at Tagawa Gardens
November 8 & 9, 2008
from 10:00am - 3:00pm
CaPR will be at the Tagawa Gardens craft fair and pet event selling items and will receive 100%
of the revenue!
Visit www.holidaygifts4pets.com
or call our office at 303-364-9040 to learn more about this event.
Gourmet Food Feast
November 11, 2008 Gabby Gourmet and Roth Distributing have teamed up to present “Holiday Fun,” a benefit for CaPR that you won’t want to miss. Watch and listen as six of Denver’s star chefs take turns preparing a six course gourmet meal for your eating pleasure. Each course will be paired with a wine selection by Gabby Gourmet. This is the chef lineup: Aaron Whitcomb - Strings Jamey Fader—Lola’s Elise Wiggins—Panzano Troy Guard—TAG Tyler Wiard—Elway’s Michael Bortz—City Bakery There will also be a live auction with some fabulous items. The event is being held on November 11 from 6 PM to 9 PM at Roth Distributing, 17801 E. 40 th Ave., Aurora, CO 80011. Tickets are $75 per person and seating is limited. For reservations either call Alysha at 303-214-1466 or email her at AlyshaA@RothDistributing.com.
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