ROTARY CLUB FOUNDATION AWARDS FIRST GRANTS

On June 24, 2007, the Broomfield Rotary Club Charitable foundation was  granted 501c3 tax exempt status.  To fund the Rotary Foundation, some of the money raised by the 2007 Odyssey fundraising event hosted by Broomfield Rotary Club and the Flatirons Crossings Rotary Club was given to the Foundation.   The Odyssey will continue to be a source of funding for the Rotary Foundation. Eager to put the new charitable foundation to work, Broomfield Rotarians began to search for a local service group whose work benefited the Broomfield community in a special and very necessary way.

On Odyssey night, Broomfield Rotarians announced that F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Unlimited had

been chosen to receive the first grant from the Broomfield Rotary Club Charitable Foundation.  Much research into this fine organization had convinced the Broomfield Rotarians that the funds were needed to benefit a group of Broomfield citizens whose need often go unmet.  A special paddle auction held at the 2007 Odyssey was dedicated to F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Unlimited.  Members and guest of the Broomfield Rotary Club and the Flatirons Crossings Rotary Club donated $11,610.00 for FRIENDS.   

Established in 1998, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. serves Broomfield citizens with developmental disabilities providing them and their families with vital support. The FRIENDS day program is available for four days a week to developmentally challenged adults. Supervised activities focus on developing daily living skills, vocational skills, social growth and physical health.  In 2002, FRIENDS became a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization allowing donations to their group to be legally tax deductible. FRIENDS is a certified service agency relying on community grants and individual donations to cover operating costs. 

In addition to the monies granted to F.R.I.E.N.D.S, grants were also provided to:

Healthy Learning Paths, an innovative program established at EmeraldSchool, received funds to continue and expand this program that involves children and their families in establishing the healthy lifestyle choices that help children reach their educational goals. Children learn the good habits and attitudes that will allow them to achieve long term, as well as immediate, success.

Funds were given to CASA of Broomfield and AdamsCounties, a widely known group that  provides court appointed advocates for abused and neglected children with the goal of providing these children with safe permanent homes.  It serves children from birth to the age of seventeen  The grant monies will provide training for Broomfield community volunteers who wish to help. Any one interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact CASA at www.casa17th.org.

FISH, INC. of Broomfield received a grant will help them to continue the work they have done

in Broomfield for many years.   FISH states as its purpose "to serve all segments of the Broomfield population, regardless of age, sex, race, creed, or religious preference."  FISH is known as a safe, friendly place to seek help.  Each year, over 9,000 families receive food assistance.

Santa Cops, whose members are police personnel and support staff of  the Broomfield Police Department, received toys, clothes, sports equipment. and candy to help them provide gifts at their annual party for needy families.

In the five months since its inception, Broomfield Rotary Charitable Foundation is proud to have been able to give a total of $11,500.00 to these four worthy organizations.  

If you would like to contribute the Broomfield Rotary Charitable Foundation as an individual or as a group, please contact the Broomfield Rotary Foundation through John Abboud or Joseph R. Mazzola, Broomfield

Rotarians.   

In addition to local charitable work,  Broomfield Rotary Club continues to be involved financially  in clean water and sanitation projects worldwide  in cooperation with The Rotary Foundation,  the charitable arm of Rotary International.