Getting that first bike is a seminal moment in a child’s life. It’s their first taste in the brave new world of mobility. However, in some cases it is the needed transportation for a young teen to get from point A to point B.

Having seen the Realities for Children’s Bikes for Tykes program in action and recalling what a bicycle meant to me, Xperience Colorado teamed up with Craig Secher, founder and president of Realities For Children, to offer the organization’s Bikes for Tykes program, in the South Metro Denver and Douglas County areas.

This special youth event also grants parents & guardians the chance to select a bicycle for their child if the child is not present or they prefer to “surprise” the youth. Which brings me to a story of a mother and her three kids that participated in this year’s Bikes for Tykes in Douglas County. This family was one of the seven that were sponsored by the Douglas-Elbert Task Force.

This Mom was not able to provide a bike for her three boys When they walked we explained how the program works and directed them to a volunteer that would help them pick out their bike. There were about 120 bikes for these boys to choose from. The look in their eyes said “Wow, any bike we want?” and they went in towards the huge selection. I looked at the single mom with a smile and she leaned over and quickly explained that the boys had no idea where they were going today and what they were doing. This was her Christmas gift to them. It was a memorable Christmas they will cherish forever.

 This is just one of the many stories that happen back to back for approximately 2 hours this Christmas. It is truly a blessed experience to share with these families. We served 7 families from the Douglas-Elbert Task Force in 2011 and about 20 in 2010 and the ability to share this program with such a great local effort and partner as the “Task Force” is also a gift.

 The simple act of giving a bicycle to a child who might not otherwise be able to get one clearly changes a life.  Maybe that life was your own, or the life of someone you know…or maybe you have a light in your life that you would simply like to shine on another’s. We truly believe that a single individual can change the world. These kids are exactly those individuals and as a community, we can make a difference in the life of a child.

“We had steady, good paying jobs,” explains Darrick, father and husband of the Freeman family. “We love the Colorado outdoors, movies at home and driving across the country to experience “that pizza place” we saw on T.V. Times were good. Then in 2006, Dera was diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer), thought to be a side effect from cancers years prior. Our family endured the surgeries together–over 25 in the last few years.”

During that time, “Darrick was laid off from his loan officer position,” said Dera.  “Darrick took on retail jobs to help feed the four of us. We down-sized our home and lost our two vehicles.”

Darrick and Dera hitched rides from friends or walked back and forth to work. Life no longer became about planning vacations and scheduling flights to see family. It “evolved literally into survival day to day.”

The only thing Darrick requested for Christmas was a day of beauty for his wife, who struggles with scarring and hair loss since her melanoma diagnosis.

That touched the core of Evolution Digital, and their staff began reaching out to the community.  The first call was to hair dresser Erin Daughtery of Elevations by Erin, who quickly lined up new Castle Rock salon Whimsy on Wilcox for the entire day. One of the hottest makeup artists in Denver, Jessica Chynoweth of Reel Makeup, signed up as well.  Everyone’s time was completely donated.

Then Evolution Digital really got busy.  “We thought let’s see who else might be interested in helping the Freeman family,” explains Nita Siegrist of Evolution Digital.  “After a day at the salon, we didn’t want her to be dressed up with nowhere to go!”

Dera was shocked when Darrick picked her up from salon in a luxury SUV with driver, theirs for the evening, donated by Jay’s Valet, to take Dera to dinner.  “One of our core values is helping others.  It gives us a true sense of purpose when we were asked to a part of the Freeman’s special evening,” said Jay Mills, owner of Jay’s Valet. “We wish Dera and her family a holiday filled with unexpected surprises and much happiness.”

Darrick presented Dera with a lovely bouquet from Mainstreet Flower Market in Parker, who were honored to be able to provide beautiful flowers for a special family in our town.  We love to support our local town and patrons for such a wonderful cause.”

Her beautiful new look delighted everyone.  “Dera already had beautiful hair, said hairdresser Erin Daugherty, “so I wanted to give her a much desired change and brighten and lighten everything for her.  It was apparent after spending the day with Dera, there could have been no one more deserving.  She was a blessing to be around – a person humbled by her experiences, but rich in wisdom and kindness.”

On to the Colorado Golf Club, in Parker, where the club provided a magical evening for the couple. The Freeman’s were welcomed into the exclusive, private club with a bottle of champagne and led into the breathtaking Paintbrush Room, which is lavishly decorated with its own Christmas tree, a dazzling fireplace and surrounded by windows looking over the championship golf course and the front range.

”We felt like we won the lottery when we got the call that we were being sponsored by Evolution Digital,” said Dera.  “We had to sit over dinner and even think about what we would even want or should ask for.” The only thing Dera asked for herself was a pair of new glasses. They haven’t been able to afford glasses and she described her self-consciousness about so many scars from surgeries and the fact that she no longer has eyelashes.  Europtics donated a free eye exam and a new top of the line glasses that can last her for years. “Europtics made us feel so comfortable and welcome,” said Darrick.

“The whole experience was wonderful. When we were at the Douglas/Elbert Task Force and decided to sign up for this program it was a real humbling moment. Now I’m so glad we did.”

Their daughter Maya, a huge music fan that just turned 16 years old, also received some local perks for Christmas. AEG Live, who is organizing the Denver Acoustic Christmas: A Concert for Charity featuring OneRepublic, Isaac Slade and Joe King from The Fray, Matt Morris, Bop Skizzum and members of the Flobots, donated two tickets for Maya and a friend.

“They really are an amazing family who care deeply about each other,” said Katie Beth Kauffman, Marketing Manager at Evolution Digital. “It’s amazing to see their positive attitudes in the midst of battling cancer and job losses.  They’re still are able to laugh and enjoy each other.”

Who are these families?  They are people like you and me who have fallen on hard times. Sometimes they’ve lost a job and are struggling to keep their family in a warm home. Foreclosure may be around the corner or they may have already moved to a cramped apartment.  They come to the Task Force for assistance. We know they are trying. We know they just need a little help to make it over this hurdle.  These people are a part of our local community they’re our neighbors and friends so we hope you will help us help them.  The holidays are just around the corner and we are desperately in need of more sponsors.

Please consider the children in these families who deserve a few nice gifts this holiday.  There are several sponsor opportunities.  For information and an application to sponsor a family, go to http://www.detaskforce.org/santassharing.htm or call the Task Force at 303-688-1114.  Don’t wait, call today.

The Douglas/Elbert Task Force is a non-profit organization that supports local families in crisis by providing emergency assistance to those in need with rent, utilities, food, clothing and household items.   www.detaskforce.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/douglaselberttaskforce

The new toy room, where birthday gifts for kids whose parents are in financial distress are given so that special day can be celebrated.

Many people have the misconception that since we live in one of the highest income areas in the nation there are not any people in financial distress in Douglas and Elbert counties. However, if you think about it, any of us could be in need very quickly with a certain set of circumstances like getting fired or laid off and not being able to find another job or having to close the business and not having any other income. Many people who have a nice home with a nice car can easily end up with no place to live or living in their cars.  The Douglas/Elbert Task Force client referrals come from many sources including the police department, local churches and other organizations.

Everyone who receives assistance from the Douglas/Elbert Task Force meets with a Client Services Officer who listens to their stories, reviews their needs, assists wherever we can, according to our restrictive guidelines, makes referrals for services that we don’t offer, provides food (96% of the time), and gives vouchers for thrift store merchandise (60% of the time). All services are available only to residents of Douglas or Elbert County, or to homeless/transient individuals who are in either county when service are needed. In 2010, the D/E Task Force provided $919,515 in assistance to clients at risk of homelessness or in serious economic need.

Currently, our clients receive store vouchers of $20 per adult in the household, and $10 per child, and can use the Thrift Store every 30 days.  Clients from the Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center receive vouchers of $80 per adult and $30 per child, as they often flee violent situations with only the clothes on their backs.

To make donations of food, clothing or useable household goods visit the Douglas/Elbert Task Force between 9 AM and 3 PM Monday through Saturday at 1638 Park St. in Castle Rock, Colorado. For further information visit the website at www.detaskforce.org

Join the fun this year!  Clothing modeled are gently used and new donations to the Task Force Thrift Retail Store and include labels such as Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, St. John, Juicy Couture, Baby Phat, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek — and more.  All fashions, including those modeled, are for sale in the clothing boutique.  Similarly, hundreds of pieces of better jewelry will be available in the jewelry boutique.  Accessories and shoes include items from Coach, Liz Claiborne, Luisa D’Orso and Chanel.

The popular Sassy Soiree silent auction features more than 150 items including art, home décor, children’s game and gift baskets, wine, a South African Safari, gift and dining certificates.  The live auction includes a one week vacation in a two-bedroom timeshare in the gated Indian Palms Country Club in Indio, California in 2012 and you can take ownership for your bid.  Really!

The Sassy Soiree Fashion Show is September 16 at the Douglas County Events Center in Castle Rock.  Parking is free.  The doors open at 10:00 a.m. for fashion mavens and shopaholics.  Lunch begins at 11:45 and the fashion show starts at noon.  Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $35 per person; reserved tables for 8 are available for $320 and a runway table $400.  To purchase a tickets or a table or for more information contact Kathy or Nani at 303-688-1114.

Every little bit helps.  The Douglas/Elbert Task Force accepts donations of saleable items for the Thrift Retail Store as well as recently purchased food and cash for emergency services.  Donation hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  100% of all donations are used for the residents of Douglas and Elbert counties.  Call the Task Force at 303-688-1114 if you have questions.

Q.  What do you get when you cross 20 teenage fashionistas with 20 old prom gowns?

A.  Come to the Teen Fashion Design Contest and Runway Show on Saturday, July 30^th and see for yourself!

When Melissa Della Penna, Youth Services Librarian at Philip S. Miller Library asked for donations of old prom gowns for this year’s Teen Fashion Design Contest, Task Force Thrift Store co-manager Dee Watson was happy to oblige.  Melissa left with armloads of gowns, from frothy peach to slinky purple.

The challenge:  Choose one of the dresses and design an amazing new garment.

Registration was fierce—contestants snapped up the gowns for a chance to become Castle Rock’s Top Teen Designer.

D/ETF’s resident Fashion Maven, Judy Svegal, co-chair of Sassy Soiree, our annual fashion show featuring Thrift Store fashions (September 16—tickets on sale soon!) will join a panel of judges to select the winning design.  The winning design will also be featured on the Sassy runway.

Our friends at Miller Library are encouraging everyone to be a “Fashionista for Food,” bring a non-perishable food item to the show, and help combat hunger in our hometown.

Find out more at the blog for Douglas County Libraries:

http://blogs.douglascountylibraries.org/castlerockteens/category/teen-contest/teen-fashion-contest/

Business leaders who are concerned about those people have partnered with the Douglas/Elbert Task Force in support. There are many benefits to this partnership and many times giving back through corporate funds is a core value for companies that are looking for opportunities to partner with non-profit organizations. The upside of being involved is:

• Employees want to be involved in their community
• Employees want to feel good about their company partnering with a non-profit.
• It is a good recruiting tool when companies can give recognition to who they support.
• It aligns with employees’ passion to make a difference.
• Partnering with a non-profit reinforces the core values of the company

One of our many partners at the Douglas/Elbert Task Force is the Harry and David store in the Outlet Mall. Although they are not able to give financial support at this time, they have a collection bin inside the store and encourage customers to donate food that will go to the Task Force food bank. They also supply food samples and baskets for events and offer retail suggestions to our board and staff members.

With that kind of support we can make Douglas and Elbert counties a better place to live.

Need ideas on how you can help? Email Audrey McLeod at mcleods2@comcast.net.

Three years later we had already outgrown the garage so the Task Force moved to 100 Briscoe Street in two years later it began operating the Thrift Store. According to our files, “the Task Force was so poor when it opened its doors (on Briscoe St.) that they had to beg and borrow equipment to get started.” Over the first five years of service, $13,000 of assistance was provided to 1,400 people.

As Douglas County grew, so did demands on the Task Force, soon our services expanded to include the entire county, and the agency began doing business as Task Force of Douglas County.  In 1996 the agency purchased a 4,000 square foot building at 416 Jerry Street, Castle Rock, which housed client services, the Food Bank and the Thrift Store, and services expanded again to include Elbert County.  Just three years later the Task Force was assisting approximately 500 people per month. The agency rented space for the Food Bank in an adjacent building, and later additional space to house client services.

 One year ago this month, the agency expanded once again and  moved into a 17,000 square foot building at 1638 Park Street (about 1/3 mile North of McDonald’s on Wolfensberger in Castle Rock), and early this year we purchased the building.  It’s a wonderful facility—finally large enough to house all of our agency services, including our Thrift Store, under one roof.

For almost 27 years, the Task Force has been meeting the immediate needs of residents of Douglas and Elbert counties who are in financial distress and at risk of becoming homeless, helping them to work through troublesome times with dignity.  Last year we provided $919,515 in client services to 14,766 people, half of whom were children.  Over 145 Task Force volunteers work to help their neighbors in need.

Although we’ve grown tremendously, our core values remain the same as our founder Mela Rudolph expressed in her lovely poem:

Open my hands that I may share

Burdens of people everywhere,

Help me to reach, with hands open wide

Those that have long been left outside.

Patiently now, I bow in prayer

Ready to go, and do and dare.

Now use my hands, and all of me,

Spirit Divine.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/DouglasElbert-Task-Force