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Kids And Goodness Are Conquering All
Four Area Kids Turn Their Passion For Helping Into A Booming Non-profit Aiding Their Needy Peers
by Glen Richardson
Whiz, bang! Meet the Valley’s secret weapons: Cailey Karshmer, Abby Foster, Chloe Howard, and Lior Yaron. Bursting with energy, these four young people are a pushover when it comes to helping sick, disabled, homeless and underprivileged kids by raising awareness, volunteering and supporting their needs.
This foursome of super-knowledgeable youngsters that possibly live on your block is behind Colorado Kids for Kids, a kid-run not for profit 501 (c)(3) organization. At a time when most kids their age are focused on music, sports or just themselves, these kids are working wonders in neighborhoods across the Valley by giving back to the community and helping kids who are less fortunate.
Encouraging us all to give back to the community, they organize school supply drives, collect clothing (winter coats, boots, gloves, hats), host holiday parties for homeless children and read to kids at under-funded schools. Moreover, they encourage other Valley kids to volunteer. They urge other children to help them collect books and toys to donate and also donate wrapping paper for the organization’s holiday drive. Furthermore they encourage youngsters of all ages to “Volunteer with us or help host or coordinate one of our events.”
Game Changer
Cailey Karshmer, now a Cherry Creek High student, is the founder of Colorado Kids for Kids or CK4K. At age six she donated her birthday presents to children at a homeless shelter where a friend of her aunt’s worked. “It made a huge impact on me and I decided to donate my presents every year,” she recalls. When she turned 10 she no longer had birthday parties but wanted to continue to donate money instead of gifts from her family on her birthdays. After learning about non-profits she asked her parents if she could set up a non-profit to benefit children in need and CK4K was born.
To get started she needed a board of directors and her best friend Abby Foster, currently a George Washington High School student, volunteered to be the secretary. Chloe Howard, now at Kent Denver, was volunteering at a local soup kitchen and at her church when she came on board as vice president. “I joined Colorado Kids 4 Kids because I love to help people in the community,” she explains. Presently a Cherry Creek High School student, Lior Yaron was 11 when the organization started and he signed on as treasurer. “I was treasurer of my school at the time and I am very proud to be a member of Colorado Kids 4 Kids,” he adds. Speaking for the Board, Abby Foster says, “We want to make a difference in kids’ lives. This organization has encouraged us to give back to the community and as we continue to grow we would like other children to follow in our footsteps.”
The organization began their school supply drive five years ago when Cailey was walking out of school on the last day and saw that many of the kids had thrown away their school supplies, a lot in prime condition. The next year, Cailey and the board decided that they were going to collect gently used school supplies and donate them to an under-funded school. The first year, supplies were donated to DCIS at Fairmont, and the school supplies could be carried in the back of two SUVs. The next year they collected so many supplies that they had to rent a U-Haul to deliver them to Boston K-8.
School Supply Store
This past year, CK4K collected a copious amount of supplies plus receiving a very generous grant to purchase more supplies. Due to the amount of school supplies, and the desire to reach more kids across the metro area, the board decided to open a school supply store where kids who could not afford school supplies could shop for free. “The store’s concept is loosely based on a local food pantry,” explains Abby Foster. Children were able to choose supplies rather than be handed pre-selected materials. In addition, each child received a High Sierra backpack.”
Overall, more than 350 kids and 50 schools w
ere impacted by the board’s endeavors. The store — located at 6875 E. Evans Ave. just off Monaco Parkway — was open for three days during August. To keep kids supplied with school needs the store will be open one Sunday a month beginning in February.
The organization is also sponsoring a “Get One, Give One” blanket campaign. They are high-quality fleece blankets embroidered with their CK4K logo. For every blanket sold another blanket is donated to a child in need. In August, they were able to donate over 80 blankets to Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children. Kids and families can participate by purchasing a blanket ($20) or by helping them sell blankets. Groups and organizations can also use them as a fundraiser.
Public, Business Backing
Karshmer also credits the staff and her classmates at Graland — where she graduated with honors — for their encouragement and support when she started CK4K. At Graland she participated in the Gates Invention Program with her friend Lily Fox. Lily’s mom was in a wheelchair and had difficulties navigating cobblestones. The two girls created an all terrain attachment designed to roll over uneven and bumpy terrain without getting stuck. The two won second place in the competition and were given a “patent nod.” They were paired with a lawyer who helped them through the patent process, paid for by the Gates Foundation. Last year, Cailey and Lily received U.S. patent D749018 S1 from the U.S. Patent Office.
Community support for the kids’ non-profit has vastly exceeded all expectations. For example, Arapahoe County Government, Public Works and Development staff recently held a school-supply drive for Colorado Kids for Kids. Businesses are also kicking in their support. Foster, Graham, Milstein & Calisher, LLP, Anabliss, Mile-High Embroidery, Periodontal Associates, Mile High United Way and Rapid Networks have generously donated their services and/or money to support CK4K. “I am shocked by how many neighbors, businesses and friends are contributing,” says board treasurer Yaron.
Cailey Karshmer started Colorado Kids for Kids because she wanted to volunteer in her community but was limited by her age. “Our organization provides
kids, no matter what age, with the opportunity to help,” she notes. “Have you ever wanted to volunteer somewhere but you were too young?” she asks other kids. “Well you can come volunteer with Colorado Kids for Kids! We would love to have you come and help us. Help us by planning an event, raising awareness or volunteering,” she urges other youngsters.
“Colorado Kids for Kids wants to make communities in the Valley a better place and we could use your help.” Information: 720-215-3225.
Psst, Don’t Tell Anyone, But Ellyn Wood Is Retiring
Publicity Shy Health And Wellness Director Will Be Missed By All, In Particular The SilverSneakers Seniors
by Mark Smiley
Ellyn Wood, the Glendale Sports Center’s Health and Wellness Director is retiring after 35 years with the YMCA. Having just turned 65 years of age, Wood is hanging up her sneakers on November 30, 2016. Wood, who shies away from the spotlight and prefers to not have a lot of publicity surrounding her, has devoted most of her adult life to the YMCA and its sports programs.
Wood started with the Chatfield YMCA in 1981 as a part-time fitness instructor after exercising there since 1979. She exercised with Debbie Ford, who served the YMCA in many capacities including Executive Director of the Glendale Sports Center. Ford, who has been friends with Wood since the 7th grade, retired from the YMCA three years ago.
As the two described it, they exercised wearing leotards, leg warmers and leading group exercise classes which was the style in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
“As an executive at the Littleton Y and then later at the Glendale Sports Center it was a privilege and fun to work with Ellyn,” said Debbie Ford, YMCA of Metropolitan Denver, past Glendale Sports Center/ YMCA Executive Director. “Ell
yn has brought a lot of happiness to members, especially the SilverSneakers. Ellyn has been a very committed, dependable, and innovative employee, you can always count on Ellyn.”
Wood moved to full-time status in 1991 after teaching aerobics at the YMCA as well as some private clubs around town. In 1991, she helped open up the Highline (now Littleton) YMCA and served as Fitness Coordinator. She also ran a large teen sports program and even supervised the pool.
After being promoted to Health and Wellness Director, she was laid off in 2002 only to return two weeks later when the branch reorganized.
Then, a call came from Debbie Ford. Ford tried to convince Wo
od to join her at the newly formed Glendale YMCA. “I didn’t want to leave Littleton,” said Wood. “I felt comfortable there but Debbie wanted me to come [help open the Glendale location]. She talked me into it.”
From 2002 to 2008, Ford and Wood were two of the only full-time employees in the old building. Then, in July 2008, the City of Glendale opened a 35,000-square-foot recreation and sports center and asked the YMCA to manage it. Wood was in on the ground floor of every aspect of the new facility from scheduling and hiring to recruiting new members and running the SilverSneakers program.
And that is what Wood will miss the most. “…the people. I’ve known a l
ot of them [seniors] since we were over in the old building,” said Wood. “They are always reminiscing about times in the old building. Because it was just me, I paid a lot of attention to them. They were almost like a family. They loved it.”
Times have changed since leaving the old facility in 2008. Over the last eight years, membership has grown exponentially. “It has been nice to see how the membership has grown and how the classes have grown [since moving into Infinity Park] from when we first started over here,” said Wood.
“From teaching classes, to making sure all the members have coffee and repairing equipment Ellyn has done it all,” said Nicole Limoges, Executive Director, YMCA Sports Branch & Glendale Sports Center at Infinity Park. “She is the most energetic, caring staff person I have had the pleasure to work with and she will be g
reatly missed by the members and staff.”
Now, it is time to turn a new page in Wood’s life. She and her husband Woody plan to travel. They will visit Baja Peninsula in Mexico, over Thanksgiving and have plans to visit Africa, Greece, Croatia, New Zealand, and Australia.
No trip may be as exciting as visiting their daughter Courtney and two grandkids in California or their son Shane and his wife Stephanie in Italy.
Aside from travel and helping her husband at home with bookkeeping for his business, Wood hopes to enjoy the time off and will be looking to fill her days and be productive. After working for 35 years for one organization, Wood has earned the right to enjoy life on her own terms.
How To Fight Denver City Hall
The intrepid and resourceful everyday citizens from Humboldt Street Neighborhood Association and Curtis Park Neighbors (some of which are pictured below) were, of course, greatly disappointed when the Denver Board of Adjustment for Zoning turned down their appeal of the decision from the Denver Planning Department by a 4-1 margin. The project will help destroy their neighborhoods by permitting high density micro apartments without any parking.
The vote was 4 to 1 rather than unanimous because the Board did not want to appear to be what they are — lackeys for the mayor and the real estate developers who control him. It is known in the trade as the “gentleman’s dissenting vote.”
What’s next? Well, they can exercise their rights as Americans and Coloradans and appeal the decision to the Denver District Court for the State of Colorado. The only problem is, of course, that the average Denver citizen never wins in the Denver District Court when suing the City and County of Denver when it relates to the destruction of their neighborhoods. Never, ever.
Just to review a few of the more egregious recent cases:
- Friends of Denver Parks v. the City and County of Denver et al. In September of 2013 Denver District Court Judge Herbert L. Stern III dismissed each and every claim of the citizens concerning the sale for development of a portion Hentzell Park in Denver.
- Residents of West Highland v. The Denver City Council et al. In September of 2013 Denver District Court Judge Robert C. McGahey dismissed each and every claim of the citizens regarding the rezoning of property in the Highlands area of Denver.
- Sloans Lake Neighborhood Association v. Denver City Council et al. In March of 2016 Judge J. Eric Eliff dismissed each and every claim on the rezoning of the former St. Anthony’s Central Hospital site.
- Residents of Crestmoor Park v. Denver City Council et al. In May of 2016 Denver District Court Judge Shelly I. Gilman not only dismissed each and every claim of the citizens over the rezoning of the Mt. Gilead Church property but she appeared to mock and taunt the citizens for even bothering to bring claims in her courtroom and made it abundantly clear that she would never rule in their favor.
Then there was the infamous case of Ballpark Neighborhood Association, Inc. v. City and County of Denver et al in September of 2015. There Denver District Court Judge R. Michael Mullins actually ruled, in a six page opinion, in favor of the citizens declaring that the City and County of Denver and the Board of Adjustment for Zoning had “abused their discretion and exceeded their jurisdiction in agreeing to allow the Denver Rescue Mission to expand.
Never accused of being the “brightest crayon in the box” Judge Mullins apparently had not been informed that the citizens of Denver are never allowed to win such cases. Calls were apparently made and Mullins was given, directly or indirectly, a talking to. Several weeks later Judge Mullins reversed himself and ruled in favor of the City and County of Denver on all claims. Judge Mullins, in disgrace, announced his retirement several months later.
There is a time honored idiom in American politics — “You Can’t Fight City Hall.” The saying is not “You Can’t Sue City Hall” because you clearly can. It means, inter alia, simply that you won’t win your lawsuit. Why? Because the concept of an “independent judiciary” is a myth, or more accurately, something of a cruel hoax as it pertains the Denver District Courts.
It is not that Denver judges are bribed. Why bother? Bribery would be so gauche and totally unnecessary. The 23 Denver District Court judges are, in reality, state government employees in black robes who plan to retire as state government employees on state government pension plans. They roam the hallways and eat in the cafeteria at the City and County Building with other government employees whether they are elected officials or government bureaucrats in the form of city attorneys and district attorneys, etc. They go to the same American Bar Association and Colorado Bar Association meetings. They attend the same parties and events. They were able to become judges in part because of their political connections and they do not intend to upset the applecart.
It is an unwritten rule in Denver whereby the unelected judges agree they will not play in the elected officials’ sandbox so long as elected officials don’t interfere with their spoils. Everybody in state and municipal government gets their healthy serving of the taxpayer funded pie all in the name of old fashioned “public service.”
So is all lost for Denver’s brave and intrepid neighborhood groups like the Humboldt Street Neighborhood Association and Curtis Park Neighbors? The answer is surprisingly, no, at least for the future. Of course the Mayor, the City Council, the Denver Planning Department, the Board of Adjustment, Barry Hirschfeld and the Denver District Court system will have raped and partially destroyed their neighborhoods for fun and profit, but things can and will continue to get worse and worse unless citizens start fighting for the future of their city.
The election system in Denver is, in fact, not rigged unlike some large cities in the United States. There is no Daley machine or a modern day Tammany Hall in Denver. Regular citizens can and have won elections if they are willing to fight hard enough, as demonstrated by the victories of City Auditor O’Brien and Councilmen New, Kashmann and Espinoza. You can even beat incumbents like Councilwoman Susan K. Shepherd.
Do citizens need to wait until the next municipal election finally rolls around? Of course not. Progressives in the early 20th century knew the only way to hold elected officials actually accountable was for citizens to be able to recall them, and provided for such in the Colorado Constitution and the Denver City Charter. Progressives in the 21st century are somehow extremely squeamish about holding elected officials, and therefore the entire system, accountable by filing recall petitions. Fill one petition against one of the numerous real estate developer owned City Council persons and suddenly — win, lose or draw — the whole political landscape changes and the citizens of Denver can now in fact “fight Denver City Hall.”
The time is a-wasting. Let us begin the fight to take back the City and County of Denver from real estate developers like Pat Hamill and his crony capitalist enablers at the loathsome Colorado Concern organization. You owe it to your children and grandchildren.
— Editorial Board
