November Extreme Endeavors: Sharing Our Stories

Extreme Community Makeover Newsletter  November Extreme Endeavors November 2013

In This Issue New ECM Video Launched "Art is in the Air" Follow-Up Colorado Gives Day: Tues Dec 10 SendOutCards for Christmas Cards 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 A few days ago I received an email from a group who volunteered with ECM for the first time last fall, Essex Financial Group.  This message was one of the best I've received all year because it truly gets to the heart of the mission of ECM - building relationships and the impact that makes in the lives of both the residents and volunteers who meet through the shared experience of working on a project together.  After working with "T" to paint her house, a few members of this group stayed in touch with "T", learned about some of the other needs she faced, and worked collaboratively to find a way to help her tackle those challenges - all because they took time to get to know her and build a relationship with her.  To read the full story about what this group from Essex Financial Group did, click here to find it on our blog.  And if you have your own story to tell about a connection you made through Extreme Community Makeover, I would love to hear it so we can continue sharing these stories with one another!   Angela Bomgaars, Executive Director  ECM Work Days While we have a few groups still participating in a leaf raking project and a graffiti removal project in the next couple of weeks, we have wrapped up our regularly scheduled Work Days for the season.  Thanks to each of you, we have had another record setting year for volunteer participation, with over 3,500 volunteers this year!  You are truly making a difference in Denver neighborhoods and we look forward to continuing to make an impact together "one block at a time".

New ECM Video Launched Check out our latest ECM video, which was launched at our "Art is in the Air" event.  If you want to learn more about the work ECM does or have something to share with others about why you're involved in ECM, this is a great tool! Extreme Community Makeover - Full Video "Art is in the Air" Follow-Up Thank you to everyone who attended our "Art is in the Air" event at Artwork Network earlier this month!  You can check out the photos here.  We had a great turn-out of long-time and new friends of ECM, while enjoying drinks courtesy of ColoradoBIZ Magazine and Tony's Market, food courtesy of KEOS Marketing Group, King Soopers, and Maria Empanada.  We also want to extend a huge thank you to Level 3 Cares for supporting this event, along with all the local  businesses and individuals who donated items for the raffle and silent auction.  Your support was invaluable in helping us exceed our fundraising goal for the evening!    From now through December 8, Artwork Network will donate 15% of art sales to ECM, with mention of ECM at purchase.  Take a look at the collection of artwork available here and get a jump start on a gift for any art aficionados you might be shopping for anyway. Colorado Gives Day: Tues Dec 10  Support Extreme Community Makeover on Colorado Gives Day!  On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, Coloradans will come together to raise millions of dollars for nonprofits like ours.  Last year, a remarkable $15.7 million was distributed to Colorado nonprofits.  ECM's goal is to raise $2,500 during Colorado Gives Day.    Presented by Community First Foundation and FirstBank, Colorado Gives Day asks you to give to your favorite charities through the website ColoradoGives.org, an online giving resource featuring every nonprofit participating in Colorado Gives Day. 100 percent of your donation will come directly to ECM since credit card fees are waived. When you give online any time on December 10, the value of your donation will be increased by the FirstBank Incentive Fund.  Donate online here any time during the 24 hour period of December 10, or schedule your donation today, so you can "give where you live!" SendOutCards for Christmas If you're looking for a new or creative way to send your Christmas cards this year, check out SendOutCards by clicking here.  You can design your cards online but they will be sent out in the mail for you.  You can even try to send a free card to see how it works!  The added benefit of using SendOutCards is that a percentage of all sales will go back to ECM. October Volunteers In October we had 335 volunteers participate in ECM  - thanks to each one of you for making a difference!   3to5 Club  Front Range Christian School  Kent Denver High School  New Gate Church  St. Andrew United Methodist Church  Valor Christian High School

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

Going Above and Beyond

Last year, on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012, through Extreme Community Makeover, we [Essex Financial Group] painted a house, while a few group members ate pizza…. (kidding)

 

 

That Saturday turned out to be a great day, spent with great people, who accomplished something that meant the world to one person.  "T" was bouncing off the walls with gratitude over the look of her “new” house.

 

 

At the end of the day we patted each other on the back, said our goodbyes, and parted ways with "T".  But for two special members of our Charity Committee, Lisa and Pam, this wasn’t goodbye forever.  In the spirit of ECM, they cultivated a relationship with "T" - a relationship that is still strong today and will likely last a lifetime. 

After bringing gifts to and having several phone conversations with "T", Lisa and Pam were invited inside her home.  They immediately knew that painting was not the only thing that "T" needed.....

 

 

Again, in the spirit of ECM, Pam and Lisa took action by utilizing their network of local resource providers.  It took time, motivation, and persistence from both ladies to get contractors out on the job.  Just this past week, all their hard work paid off.....

 

 

SPECIAL THANKS:

-     Proline Construction, RediCarpet, and A-Advantage Plumbing – this team rebuilt the floor in the bathroom, replaced an unthinkable amount of plumbing, put drywall in the bathroom, installed a sink, removed old and installed new countertops and cabinets, redirected vents, re-stained the front door, and many other items necessary to complete the above seen job.

-     Jeff, Mary, and the principals/partners of Essex Financial Group for allocating funds for this project and creating the relationships with local resource providers.

-     Thank you to everyone else that was involved in making this dream for "T" an achievable reality!



The Newest ECM Video

Check out the new ECM video produced by Denver Open Media that was unveiled at our fundraiser last week!

You're Invited: "Art is in the Air" on Fri Nov 8

10.19.13 ECM Work Day

Individuals

New Gate Church

St. Andrew United Methodist Church

 Summary of 10.19.13 ECM Work Day:

• Volunteers Participated - 35
• Projects Completed - 5
• Volunteer Hours - 200

10.5.13 ECM Work Day in Swansea

3to5 Club

Summary of 10.5.13 ECM Work Day in Swansea:

• Volunteers Participated - 25
• Projects Completed - 6
• Volunteer Hours - 150

Church Partner: God's Grace Community Church

ECM would like to thank God's Grace Community Church for their continued involvement and partnership in helping supporting ECM projects and Work Days through their volunteers and finances.  The motto for God's Grace Community Church is "Love God...Love People...Serve the World..." which is exactly what they're doing through participating in ECM.  Thanks for your support!