End 2012 with a Bang!

Donate Now Checks can be made payable to: Extreme Community Makeover and sent to: Extreme Community Makeover PO Box 102586 Denver, CO 80250-2586 PayPal: ECM charged credit card fees Giving First: Credit card fees waived

Extreme Community Makeover: Our Impact in 2012 ECM has had a full year with expanding to more neighborhoods, mobilizing more volunteers, partnering with more groups who want to be a good neighbor - all leading to more and more families who we are able to help. We need to raise just over $5,500 to meet our yearly operating budget and we would invite you to partner with us in reaching that goal through a year-end tax-deductible gift to Extreme Community Makeover. Your support leads to these tangible results since this is what ECM accomplished in 2012..... 8 neighborhoods targeted 66 Work Days scheduled 232 projects completed 3,160 volunteers participated 15,957.5 volunteer hours invested into Denver neighborhoods These numbers don't share the full imapct behind these projects though: a formerly homeless, single mom of three receiving help sprucing up the home they currently live in; neighbors on a block being introduced to one another for the first time; and an elderly widow trying to remain in her home as long as possible. These efforts are made possible through your involvement and generosity, so thanks in advance for your support of making the stats and stories above possible through Extreme Community Makeover! Stay in Touch www.extremecommunitymakeover.org

Thank you for partnering with ECM to make a difference in Denver neighborhooods! Sincerely, Extreme Community Makeover

December Extreme Endeavors: Highlights of 2012

Extreme Community Makeover NewsletterDecember Extreme Endeavors December 2012

In This Issue Follow-Up: Art is in the Air Internship Opportunities Church Partner: God's Grace Community Church Becky's Story Company Support November Volunteers Quick Links About ECM Contact ECM Donate Help ECM build stronger communities in Denver through your financial support. Checks can be made to: Extreme Community Makeover and sent to: Extreme Community Makeover PO Box 102586 Denver, CO 80250-2586 Greetings! As we near the end of 2012, I thought I would share some of the highlights of this year from Extreme Community Makeover's viewpoint. January - received a "makeover" of our storage space for supplies and tools so they are organized and easy to access February - expanded into two additional neighborhoods: Elyria and Swansea March - kicked off the Extreme Teams with an amazing group of 35+ volunteers that participate in ECM regularly through using their skills in a variety of ways April - mobilized 450 volunteers during The Big Day of Serving event in the Westwood neighborhood May - moved to a new shared office space with BuCu West in the Westwood neighborhood June - started an internship program with 2 amazing interns who worked with ECM for 3 months each July - provided meaningful volunteer opportunities for youth from 17 states throughout the summer August - received a $10,000 donation from Prologis during their annual golf tournament September - welcomed 35 new groups who participated in their first Work Day this year October - facilitated a block party event in the Barnum neighborhood to encourage neighbors to get to know one another November - executed a successful fundraising event with double the participants and money raised in comparison to last year's event December - completed 232 projects with residents in 8 target neighborhoods throughout Denver with the helping hands of 3,160 volunteers Thank you for your involvement in ECM in 2012. I look forward to continuing to make an even stronger impact together in 2013! Angela Bomgaars, Executive Director

Follow-Up: Art is in the Air Thanks to the generosity of everyone who joined us for our "Art is in the Air" event last month, we were able to raise $7,500 to support ECM operations! Raffle and silent auction items were provided by these amazing companies and individuals, listed here; food was provided by King Soopers and Las Fuentes; wine was provided by Tony's Market; and tables were provided by AllWell Rents. Thanks to Artwork Network for providing an amazing space to hold the event as well! Internship Opportunities Many of you have either participated in The Big Day of Serving or heard it mentioned before since nearly 950 people have participated in the first two years of spending an entire day to make a tangible impact in the Westwood neighborhood through cleaning alleys, painting homes and businesses, planting trees, and removing graffiti. In 2013, this event will be held on Saturday, April 20 and we have internship opportunities available in the areas of event management, fundraising, project management, and public relations. For more details and contact info, click here. Church Partner: God's Grace Community Church God's Grace Community Church has been partnering with ECM for the past four years and spent a Sunday service participating in ECM this spring, while volunteering on a Saturday Work Day this fall, building connections with folks in the Barnum neighborhood during both days. God's Grace has committed to continue as a Church Partner for ECM in 2012 through their $1,000 donation. Thank you so much for your support! Becky's Story While God's Grace Community Church participated in ECM this year, they met Becky. This video tells her story about what it meant to her to have volunteers help her with projects at her home. Beecky's Story Company Support One of our goals for ECM this year has been to encourage the churches and companies that volunteer with ECM to help provide financial support for the work we do to make the Work Days possible through providing meaningful volunteer opportunities that engage tangbile community needs. Each of these companies has stepped up to partner with ECM in this way! November Volunteers Thanks to all the groups who volunteered during the month of November and helped us finish up all the projects we wanted to complete moving into the winter! Cherry Hills Christian Middle School Denver Community Church Essex Financial Services Front Range Christian School Turner Construction University of Denver Alumni Valor Christian High School

Thank you for partnering with ECM to make a difference in Denver neighborhooods! Sincerely, Extreme Community Makeover

Colorado Gives Day

Colorado Gives Day: Tuesday, December 4 Support Extreme Community Makeover (ECM) on Colorado Gives Day!  On Tuesday, December 4, 2012, Coloradans will come together again to raise millions of dollars for nonprofits like ours.  Last year, a remarkable $12.8 million was distributed to Colorado nonprofits. This is the first year ECM is participating and our goal is to fund 25 projects at $120 per project, which equals a $3,000 goal.    Presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day asks you to give to your favorite charities through the website GivingFirst.org.  On this website we share our goals, accomplishments and much more.  Check it out by clicking here.    100 percent of your donation will come directly to ECM since all credit card processing fees are covered by the sponsors.  When you give online, the value of your donation will also be increased by the FirstBank Incentive Fund.  You can schedule your donation for December 4 today and even set up a recurring donation to spread out your gift throughout the year. Donate online here any time to "give where you live!"

Sincerely,   Extreme Community Makeover

The Big Day of Serving Internships

If you are looking for an internship opportunity from January-May of 2013, we are identifying four interns to help with The Big Day of Serving event in the Westwood neighborhood on Saturday, April 20, 2013.  In 2012, we had 450 volunteers who participated and we are expecting to have 500 or more people involved next year!  This event is a great opportunity to develop project management, fundraising, and leadership skills, amongst many others.  Specific descriptions follow.

Events Management Intern – The Big Day of Serving

The Events Management Intern will assist the team lead in coordinating all logistics for the Kickoff Rally, Command Center, and Block Party Celebration during the Big Day of Serving event. The intern will assist in obtaining any permits needed for the event, and will coordinate parking & transportation, security, and medical needs. Intern will assist in breaking down and cleaning up after the event. 

The ideal intern must be organized and have strong leadership experience. The intern will be coordinating multiple projects with multiple teams. 

Desired qualifications: extremely detail-oriented, able to juggle multiple projects, self-starter, experience with event planning/logistics/management, excellent communication skills.

Funding Intern – The Big Day of Serving

The Funding Intern will assist the team lead in coordinating all fundraising and sponsorship procurement. This intern will serve as communications liaison between the teams to help get items donated to each team. Other duties include creating and maintaining a working list of supplies and a budget list for food and materials. Experience in fundraising and event funding is a plus.

In the weeks after the event, this intern will make contact with main sponsors via thank you notes or phone calls, and will send thank you notes to all sponsors and contributors. 

Desired qualifications: detail-oriented, efficient worker, self-starter, experiencing soliciting cash donations and supplies, relationships with local businesses desired but not required, proven experience with sponsor relations, strength in creating and maintaining donation database and coordinating budgets.

Projects Intern – The Big Day of Serving

As the Projects Intern you will assist the Projects Team Leader in soliciting applications, write up Project Information Forms and materials lists, and help procure all materials for the projects. This person should have an understanding of typical building materials and proven experience planning and tracking a project budget.

In the weeks after the event, the intern will assist in coordinating the completion of any unfinished projects and will help coordinate the return of all returnable materials and borrowed tools.

Desired qualifications: excellent communication skills, comfortable with cold calling and door-to-door soliciting, ability to work on spreadsheets, detail-oriented, self-starter.

Public Relations Intern – The Big Day of Serving
The Public Relations Intern will assist the team leader in coordinating a marketing effort for the Big Day of Serving event. The intern will help with press releases, and radio and TV spots. Other duties include assisting in dispersing applications and creating and maintaining a Facebook page for the event. 

In the weeks following the event, this intern will help gather pictures, facts, media hits, and any other information and compile into a master document for next year’s event. The intern will also assist in placing an ad in the local paper thanking all sponsors, donors, and volunteers. 

Desired qualifications: detail-oriented, organized, self-starter. Experience in public relations/media, social networking, and collaboration and relationship building with local vendors. Strong writing and editing skills, comfortable contacting the media for support before the event preferred.

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All internships will run January 1, 2013 – May 1, 2013.  The Big Day of Serving Event is on Saturday, April 20, 2013.  Internships are unpaid.

 

For more information, contact Angela Bomgaars at 720.235.8847 or angela@extremecommunitymakeover.org

 

 

Gift Wrapping Fundraiser

If you enjoy wrapping gifts at Christmas time, we could use your help!  Extreme Community Makeover has an opportunity to wrap gifts at the Town Center at Aurora from Saturday, December 1 - Sunday, December 9 and 50% of proceeds from all gifts wrapped will be donated back to ECM!

Shifts are scheduled in 2 - 2 1/2 hour increments, starting at 10:00 am and ending at 9:00 or 10:00 pm.  Sign up by clicking here.

Please plan to arrive a few minutes before your scheduled shift.  All wrapping materials will be provided by the mall.  They charge $3-$8 per gift wrapped.  Your role is to help wrap the gifts and answer any questions people might have about ECM.  ECM brochures and information will be provided.  If you are signed up for the first shift of the day please make sure to ask for these items from the folks at guest services.  And if you are signed up for the last shift please make sure to return these items to guest services.   

Please make sure the next round of wrappers is ready to go before leaving.  Thanks again for your help!  If you have questions, contact Angela at 720.235.8847 or angela@extremecommunitymakeover.org.  Thanks for your help and giving a few hours to make a difference this holiday season!

November Extreme Endeavors: What Are You Thankful For?

Extreme Community Makeover NewsletterNovember Extreme Endeavors November 2012

In This Issue Art is in the Air: Friday, November 9 Wrapping Gifts for a Cause Thank You: Financial Partners October Volunteers Quick Links About ECM Contact ECM Donate Help ECM build stronger communities in Denver through your financial support. Checks can be made to: Extreme Community Makeover and sent to: Extreme Community Makeover PO Box 102586 Denver, CO 80250-2586 Greetings! During the Thanksgiving season, we often reflect on the things we are grateful for and ECM is thankful for our volunteers and supporters who make the work we do each day possible. We are also thankful for the amazing people we get to meet in the neighborhoods where we work. If you would like to learn more about what we're doing and hear some of those stories, please join us for our fundraiser this Friday evening. Details follow. Hope to see you there! Angela Bomgaars, Executive Director ECM Work Days This past weekend, we wrapped up our regular Saturday Work Days for 2012 by finishing the remaining projects we had on our radar screen. As we move into the winter months, we will be taking a break from the outdoor projects we typically do during the spring, summer, and fall, but we'll keep you posted about other volunteer opportunities that arise over the winter. ECM is thankful for all of our amazing volunteers this year (all 3,000+ of you) that have made such a difference in the lives of 230 families and have truly demonstrated what it looks like to be a good neighbor!

Art is in the Air: Friday, November 9 Come join ECM this Friday, November 9 from 7-9 pm at the Artwork Network gallery for our third annual fundraiser. We have over $7,800 worth of silent auction items, which you can see here. Tickets are $25 for 1/$40 for 2 if you purchase them before the event, but will be $30 for 1/$50 for 2 at the door. Get your tickets here and join ECM for a fun evening! Wrapping Gifts for a Cause With the holiday season rapidly approaching, we have a fun volunteer opportunity for a good cause. From Saturday, December 1 through Sunday December 9, ECM volunteers can sign up to wrap gifts in 2 or 2 1/2 hour shifts at the Town Center at Aurora. 50% of proceeds from all gifts wrapped will be donated to ECM. Invite a friend and sign up for a shift during the time slots available here. For more specific details, click here. Thank You: Financial Partners Hillside Church has been volunteering with ECM for the past four years and spent two of their Sunday services participating in ECM this summer, bringing over 200 people together to work with their neighbors in the Barnum and Westwood neighborhoods. Hillside has committed to become continuing as a Church Partner for ECM in 2012 and we are thankful for that! One of the new groups that got involved in an ECM Work Day this year is the Chaparral High School Boy's Lacrosse Team. They participated in ECM while raising funds for their team and donated a portion of the money they raised back to ECM. Thanks for your support! October Volunteers ECM is thankful for all the groups who volunteered during the month of October! Arvada Covenant Church Bethany United Methodist Church Denver Public Schools ECM Board of Directors Front Range Christian School Grace Fellowship of Lakewood Kellogg Alumni Club of Colorado Kent Denver High School Level 3 Communications Turner Construction University of Denver Alumni University of Denver Multicultural Interest Group US Bank

Thank you for partnering with ECM to make a difference in Denver neighborhooods! Sincerely, Extreme Community Makeover