The Honor of Giving

It is a true pleasure to have the opportunity to acknowledge those that have served their community, and I am constantly reminded of the commitment to serving others in our beautiful giving environment of Eagle County. While the Chronicle of Philanthropy has found that 26% of Americans volunteer, it is especially interesting to read that, while there is a misconception that those with more leisure time are more likely to volunteer, it is actually the other way around. The Corporation of National and Community Service, the umbrella agency for Americorps and Volunteering in America, found the following data on 2010 national volunteer giving: 62.8 million adults volunteered almost 8.1 billion volunteer hours This time is valued at nearly $173 billion Educational sites were the #1 volunteer location of choice for Colorado volunteers from 2008-2010 Eagle County Schools Walking Mountains Bright Future Foundation CSU Extension Samaritan Center of the Rockies The Literacy Project Red Ribbon Project Eagle Valley Alliance For Sustainability Avon Police Department Early Childhood Partners Colorado West Regional Mental Health, Inc. 1st Bank Eagle County EMS Prevention Committee Suicide Prevention Coalition of Eagle Valley Eagle Valley Library District Vail Valley Salvation Army Girl Scouts of Colorado The Youth Foundation Starting Hearts

Why volunteer? While each individual may have specific motivations for offering a helping hand, some of the most common benefits of volunteering include strengthening communities, improving lives, connecting to others, and transforming our own lives (Corporation of National & Community Service). If you are looking for the perfect volunteer opportunity for your lifestyle or giving motivation, or venues to post volunteer needs at your agency, please consider the following resources:

Volunteer Match, Providing volunteer information and listings in your local community. Volunteer.gov, America's Natural and Cultural Resources Volunteer Portal Eagle River Youth Coalition's Volunteer Posting Site, Offering local, current opportunities to serve young people National Alcohol & Drug Addiction and families Recovery Month

Consider recognizing a young leader who has made a difference through ERYC's annual Youth Awards. Acknowledgements will occur National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month during the October 4th Valley Tastings: Food for Youth event, and nomination materials can be found online. Fruit and Veggies Month ~ Michelle Hartel Stecher, Executive Director Library Card Sign-up Month Baby Safety Month September 3- Labor Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Labor Day enforcement campaign aims to prevent impaired driving. Don't become one of the nearly 900 people killed in drunk driving accidents during Labor Day weekend over the past 5 years. September 9-15- 18th Annual National Suicide Prevention Week September 10- World Suicide Prevention Day September 11- National Day of Service and Remembrance

Vail Valley Salvation Army

The Vail Valley Service Extension Unit of the Salvation Army provides emergency services and strives to meet human needs, in an effort to promote self-sufficiency. Food, shelter, rent, utilities, prescription medications, transportation and other basic needs are provided all year on a case by case basis. Volunteer support is critical in the numerous efforts of the Salvation Army, and many upcoming needs exist. A community garden will be constructed at the Salvation Army's Avon office and pantry during September; stay tuned for exact dates and times. In October, November and December, helpers are needed to sort food from the Stock the Pantry food drive. The Stock the Pantry school food drive will occur on October 26 and the store food drive on October 27. Thanksgiving food baskets will be assembled and delivered on Saturday, November 17th, and Christmas food baskets will be assembled and delivered on Saturday, December 15th.

Eagle River Youth Coalition Americorps*VISTA: Support ERYC Planning has begun for holiday projects, which make the holidays and our community of youth-serving happier for low income families. As always, volunteer bell ringers agencies through a one-year are needed for all the local grocery stores, starting on Friday, November 23, through Christmas Eve, December 24. This is a great commitment in a marketing and special opportunity for groups of kids to participate and help raise money to events capacity. The full-time position support year-round efforts to help local families in need. We ask for begins with a pre-service orientation in a two hour shift. Set up will begin for the Holiday Cabin on December November, and offers a living stipend, 1. Groups are needed to staff the Cabin on Saturday 12/8, Sunday health insurance, and other benefits. Additional information at eagleyouth.org. 12/9, and the evenings of Monday 12/10, Tuesday 12/11, Interested parties should send a resume Wednesday 12/12 and Thursday 12/13. and cover letter to mstecher@eagleyouth.org, or apply You can sign up to volunteer at www.salvationarmyvail.org, or by via the Americorps egrants portal. calling (970)748-0704.

Pure Give: Pure Barre to Partner with ERYC

Take action on your commitment to health and wellness while supporting ERYC's collaborative efforts through donation-only Pure Barre classes. Pure Barre is a fun, total body workout yielding tone and burning fat in record time. Date: Saturday, September 15 Time: 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Cost: Donations only; suggested minimum donation of $15 per class. Location: Pure Barre Studio, Amber Building, Riverwalk in Edwards

SOS Outreach: Become a Teacher Coordinator at your school, and support with student recruitment and on-hill ride days. Apply for a "Sherpa" mentor position and serve a small group of youth for at least one year through on-hill ride days, service learning projects, and life skills workshops. Volunteer for a two-day through five-day on-hill program and assist with skiing or snowboard lessons while integrating core values. Coordinate a 5-day introductory session as a Resort Program Coordinator. Visit www.sosoutreach.org, email mcurtis@sosoutreach.org, or call (970)9499250. Speak Up Reach Out: Volunteers, sponsors, and team captains are needed for the Out of the Darkness Eagle Valley Community Walk starting at Eagle Town Park, Saturday, September 15, 9 a.m. For more information, click here.

Parents You Matter: Dinner & Dialogue- Effective Communication

The Eagle River Youth Coalition and VVF's Youth Foundation invite you to gather with your friends and family to discuss effective communication during the first session of our free Dinner & Dialogue series . Hear from local experts, gain valuable parenting advice, and learn about local resources. Free child care, dinner, and live Spanish translation are available. Presenters: Julia Kozusko, LPC (Incredible Years Group Leader and Parent Coach) and Narda Reigel (Active Parenting of Teens Group Facilitator) Date: Tuesday, September 18 Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Location: WECMRD Fieldhouse, Edwards Free dinner will be served. Attend 3 or more Dinner & Dialogue events and be entered to win $250 in groceries. For more information or to RSVP please call (970)748-5992 or visit eagleyouth.org.

Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability: Be a Zero Hero. The Alliance for Sustainability is looking for volunteers every Sunday at the Vail's Farmer Market through September. If you're a club or organization, the Alliance will donate $25 for each volunteer. For more information, email tracy@eaglevalleyalliance.org or call 970827-9999. Eagle Valley Library District: The Avon, Eagle and Gypsum Public Libraries are recruiting Little Buddies (students in grades 1-3) and Big Buddies (High School students in grades 9-12) for the fall session of Reading Buddies. Reading Buddies is a free reading enrichment program that pairs teen volunteers with younger children for one-on-one shared reading

Save the Date: Active Parenting of Teens Series

The Fall 2012 Active Parenting of Teens series kicks off this October, and will be offered in English and Spanish with free dinner each evening. During the series, parents will gain the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to turn the challenge of raising a teenager into an opportunity for growth and empowerment. When: Tuesday evenings, October 2-November 6 Where: Battle Mountain High School Cost: $50 per person, or $75 per couple for the six-session series. Scholarships available for qualifying families. Please visit eagleyouth.org, call (970)949-9250, or email Elizabeth Wessel for more information or to register.

time. Call your local library for information: Avon: 970-949-6797 Eagle: 970-328-8800 Gypsum: 970-524-5080 The Literacy Project: There is a very large need for tutors in Literacy Project's Study Friends middle school program. The program has dozens of children on the waitinig list for tutoring in the fall. To volunteer in Eagle or Gypsum, contact Kira at 328-9013. To volunteer in Edwards, Avon, or Vail, please contact Sloan at 949-5026.

Save the Date: Valley Tastings 2012

Valley Tastings: Food for Youth is ERYC's annual fundraising event featuring tasty morsels from local restaurants, youth leadership awards, a silent auction, and live music by Pat Hamilton. Funds raised benefit collaborative youth and family efforts.

Stuck in a Rut? Revamp your routine with a few simple steps. Valley Tastings 2012 will be held Thursday, Oct. 4, 6:30-9 p.m. at Center Yourself: Edwards Interfaith Chapel. Fabulous restaurants are currently 1. Get up before your kids. confirmed, including The Met, Dish, Gore Range Brewery, Ti Amo, Main Street Grill, Fiesta's, Batter Cupcakes, Marko's, Home Chefs of 2. Plan for the next day. 3. Take a moment to pause. Vail, and Ripe. Beverages compliments of Avon Liquors and Crazy 4. Create quiet time Mountain Brewery. Sponsored by First Bank, East West Resorts, 5. Gauge your day. Alpine Bank, and the Lapin Family Charitable Foundation. Find a full guide of clever tips online for Please visit the Valley Tastings web page for tickets, and up to date parents of children of all ages on rethinking routines, from our friends at information on restaurant partners and other details! Parent Further, a Search Institute resource for families.

Speak Now Colorado: The "Speak Now" campaign was developed to address underage drinking, and more specifically, binge

drinking among Colorado youth. In fact, Colorado ranks 9th highest in the nation in terms of binge drinking among teenage youth, and Eagle County teen binge drinking rates were higher than state and national averages in 2011. Available Resources: Text your child; Action plan; Know the law; quizzes; Fact Zone; and more Also available in Spanish USA.gov Back to School Tips: USA.gov offers information on immunizations, healthy eating, financial assistance, and much more! Resources Available: Free underage drinking publications, health education resources for parents and grandparents, and even a site for students with fun educational games!

Youth Leader Spotlight: Tessa Vlaar

Members of ERYC's Youth Leaders Council and other youth leaders make a big impact in the community numerous ways and we are proud to highlight their work. Each month, one student will be featured in the Vail Daily, on KZYR, and on NRC365 stations. August's feature student was Tessa Vlaar. Service a priority for local teen Staying busy in high school really isn't that hard. Recent Vail Christian High School graduate Tessa Vlaar can attest to that. "When I wasn't choreographing or critiquing for my dance team I was at student council fundraisers, Academic Decathlon meets, participating in National Honors Society, working at Village Market grocery store, as well as participating in Youth Leaders Council. I like to keep busy!" Vlaar said. Overall, involvement was and still is a particular passion that didn't only look good on her resume. "It is so easy to fall into a pattern of wanting to serve for another block to put on a resume, but once you stop and see the impact of even one piece of your service, that pattern falls to the relish of helping to better the community you live in," she said.Having experienced first hand the kindness of the Vail Valley, Vlaar is appreciative of her

SBIRT Colorado: 115,215 individuals

statewide were screened for risky alcohol and other drug use via the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model during the 2006-2011 grant period. SBIRT is a preventative-correction program aimed to reduce substance abuse in a community. Congratulations to Carlos Abel, SBIRT Health Educator in the Vail Valley Medical Center's Emergency Department, for his recent recognition in furthering the standard of care and sustaining SBIRT in our community post-federal grant dollars.

Carlos Abel, VVMC's SBIRT Health Educator

community and finds her service that much more worthwhile.

70% of Eagle County Youth currently engage in extracurricular activities, Eagle Valley Alliance for Sustainability: Worms in the Classroom! The Eagle Valley Alliance will once again offer worm composting and recycling programs for Eagle county schools. The goal of the programs are to empower kids to think of specific ways to generate less overall waste and practice the triad of "R"s - reduce, reuse, recycle.
Classes are targeted to 3rd through 6th grades, and can be altered for other grades. EVAS will also be offering LivingWise Energy programs to schools this year. If you are interested in having a program or sponsoring a worm bin please email Melissa or call (970)827-9999. an asset shown to reduce risky behaviors such as substance use. Which of the numerous positive extracurricular activities will your children register for this school year?
Eagle County Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (2011). http://eagleyouth.org/index.php/main/erycresources/hkcs

Red Ribbon Project: New Classroom Offerings

The Red Ribbon Project is introducing a variety of classes through the free Youth Skills Building series. Classrooms serving grades 6 through 12 can take advantage of lessons in puberty, bullying, suicide prevention, cultural awareness, boundaries, coping mechanisms, interpersonal relationships and more. Learn more here. Contact: Denise Kipp via email or at (970)827-5900

P.O. Box 4613 Edwards, CO 81632 (970) 949.9250 eagleyouth.org

Eagle Valley High School: Open House and back to School Night
What: Join the Eagle Valley High School community during this annual opportunity to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and learn about local youth and family services. Date: Wednesday, September 5 Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Avon Police Department: Citizen's Police Academy

What: Join the Avon Police Department for the fourth annual Citizen's Police Academy and learn how to investigate a crime scene, identify an impaired driver, master hands-on self-defense skills, visit the county jail, and shoot weapons at the firing range. 18 year old minimum; applicants must live, work or volunteer in Avon. Read more and application available online. Dates: Monday's from September 10 through October 15 Time: 6:00-8:30 p.m.

VVF's Youth Foundation: Sowing Seeds Cookout

What: Sowing Seeds currently benefits 800 children by focusing on the scientific aspect of how food grows, and the accompanying message of eating healthy. Help the VVF's Youth Foundation build

the next Sowing Seeds greenhouse by joining for a fun, upcoming cookout! Tickets include 2 beers and fresh food prepared by Kelly Liken. Date: Tuesday, September 11 Time: 5:30 p.m. Location: Bonfire Brewing Company, 127 Second Street, Eagle RSVP: With Kari Anderson via email or at (970)777-2015

SpeakUp, ReachOut: Question, Persuade, and Refer Training

This 1 hour gatekeeper training teaches how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, how to offer hope, and how to get help to save a life. Schedule: September 12- Eagle Town Hall, 10:00 a.m. September 13- Avon Town Library, 5:30 p.m. September 14- Edwards Interfaith Chapel, 12:00 p.m. More information and registration at (970)748-4410 or meredith@speakupreachout.org

SpeakUp, ReachOut: HEARTBEAT Balloon Launch and Out of Darkness Walk

Speak Up, Reach Out, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of the Eagle Valley, is partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention for the upcoming Balloon launch and Out of Darkness Walk. Funds raised will be utilized for research and education to prevent suicide and save lives. More information available online. Date: Saturday, September 15 Time: 8:30 a.m. balloon launch, walk starts at 9:00 a.m. Location: Eagle Town Park Information and Registration: Contact Erin Ivie via email or phone at (970)390-9248

Bright Future Foundation: Golf Scramble and Tennis Challenge

What: You are invited to join Bright Future Foundation's13th annual golf scramble and women's tennis challenge. Entry fee includes lunch and an aprs party with silent auction. Proceeds to benefit Bright Future Foundation programming. Additional information available here. Date: Tuesday, September 25 Time: Registration- 11:30 a.m., Play- 1:00 p.m. Location: Country Club of the Rockies Entry Fee: $250 per golfer, $100 per tennis player

4-H: Awards Banquet

What: Celebrate an entire year of 4-H accomplishments! Date: Wednesday, September 26 Time: Slideshow and dinner begin at 6:00 p.m.; awards ceremony to follow Location: Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall

Trainings
The Board's Role in Fundraising
Description: The final session in the series based on Understanding Giving will focus on changing your board into fundraising disciples. Bringing over 30 years of executive and board experience, presenter Mark Holdt will work through the three big hurdles keeping boards from raising money: 1. They lack commitment to the organization. 2. They are afraid of fundraising. 3. They are not properly motivated and engaged. Learn from Mark and your peers in this interactive session perfect for development staff, executive directors, and board members. Date: Friday, September 14 Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m. Location: Miller Ranch Community Center, Edwards Cost: Free ERYC & VVP members / $25 Colorado Nonprofit Association members / $35 nonmembers Registration: Click here

Development
fundraising opportunities

Recent Findings
Children's Share in Federal Budget Decreasing
First Focus has released a report finding that "discretionary" spending on children has declined for two consecutive years. Less than 8% of the federal budget is invested in children. Full article

Vail Resorts Echo

Purpose: Vail Resorts Echo, the company's corporate stewardship program, is kicking off the 2012 fall grant process for Eagle County non-profits. Funding and in-kind support is aimed at protecting natural resources through environmental stewardship, and helping build stronger communities through educational and youth programs. More information & Application: Click here Deadline: Friday, September 7

Marijuana use in teen years may lower IQ.

Teens who routinely smoke marijuana risk a long-term drop in their IQ, a new study suggests. The researchers didn't find the same IQ dip for people who became frequent users of pot after 18. Although experts said the new findings are not definitive, they do fit in with earlier signs that the drug is especially harmful to the developing brain. Full Article Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (August 27, 2012)

Alpine Bank Grants and Sponsorship

Purpose: In the spring and fall of each year, Vail and Eagle Valley Alpine Banks consider grant and sponsorship requests. Alpine Bank is committed to supporting non-profit, charitable organizations which enhance the quality of life in Eagle County. Prioritized funding where the results will benefit youth and social needs for the community and society at large, with preference to specific programs and projects. More Information & Application: Contact Andrea Glass or Sue Davis Deadline: Sunday, September 30

Association of Fundraising Professional's Rocky Mountain Philanthropy Institute: Changing Landscapes of Fundraising
Description: RMPI is widely lauded as the premier fundraising educational event of the year. We're excited about our theme this year, which touches on what everybody in the profession knows - basic best practices remain, but fundraising today is quickly evolving. Date: September 27-28

Remember
Deadline for October newsletter submissions: Friday, September 21

Location: Vail Cascade Cost: $200-$235 Registration: http://www.afpcc.org/

Email: Michelle Hartel Stecher

Use our newsletter. It's a bright idea