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Celebration
Breakfast
Jefferson County Fairgrounds 6:59 a.m.,Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Our mission: The Good News Coalition brings Jefferson County
citizens together to celebrate the positive happenings and spiritual values that link
our diverse communities.
2015 Steering Committee
Neal Browne,
Jeanne Oliver,
Neal Browne & Assoc./Touchpoint Video
Jefferson Center for Mental Health
2015 Good News Breakfast Program
Felix Cook,
Sally Reed,
Community First Foundation
The Action Center
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Smiley, Chair, Good News Coalition
Roubhie Fairchild,
Kay Pride,
Duncan YMCA
Kay Pride Communications
Invocation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Dr. Michelle Medrano, Mile Hi Church
Joe Haines,
Betty Proctor,
MiCasa Resource Center
Senior Lobby
Pledge of Allegiance. . . . . . . . . .Casey Tighe, Jefferson County Commissioner
Jill Hartmann,
Lisa Pinto,
Jefferson Center for Mental Health
Jeffco Public Schools
Mallory Hyatt, (Secretary)
Susan Riach,
Jefferson County Human Services
Anne Jefferies,
American Assn. of University
Women, Lakewood
Community Volunteer
Pam Russell, (Co-Chair)
John Ford,
Jeffco District Attorney’s Office
Jefferson County Education Association
Leslie Moser,
Leslie Levine,
Seniors’ Resource Center
Community Volunteer
Marilyn Saltzman,
Natalie Martinez,
PR Consultant
Community Volunteer
Elizabeth Shinn,
Jill McGranahan,
Community Volunteer
Arvada Police Department PIO
Mark Smiley, (Chair)
2015 Hall of Fame Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Applewood Kiwanis
Tori Merritts,
Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle
Youth Leadership Jefferson County
Rev. Jack Van Ens,
Benediction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Dr. Jack Van Ens
Gary Messick,
Creative Growth Ministries
Community Volunteer
Brernda Geist,
Dexter Meyer,
CASA of Jefferson & Gilpin Counties
Community Volunteer
Mary Wagner,
Bob O’Connell,
Jefferson County Administrators Assn.
Applewood Kiwanis
Rebecca Winning,
Sidnie O’Connell, (Treasurer)
Jefferson County Public Library
National Anthem . .Don Tallman, Executive Director, Colorado Railroad Museum
Presentation . . . . Marla J. Williams, President and CEO, Community First Foundation
Colorado Mormon Chorale . . . . . . . . . . . .Christina Bishop, Associate Director
Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celebrating A Quarter Century of Community Building
Speaker Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neal Browne, Master of Ceremonies
Keynote Speaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Dr. Alan Landes
2015 Honorees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neal Browne, Master of Ceremonies
Thanks to:
• The Applewood Kiwanis Foundation for helping with parking.
• Jefferson County Sheriff’s office and the City of Golden for traffic control.
• Rory Peachey and the entire Jefferson County Fairgrounds management
and staff.
• Paul Rodriguez for the production of the Good News Celebration Breakfast
Supplement/program.
• Jefferson County Public Library for donating space and resources.
• Jefferson County Education Association for the use of its meeting room.
• Good News Steering Committee.
Feel free to take or share the centerpieces.
Special thanks to Jefferson County Commissioners:
District 1: Libby Szabo; District 2: Casey Tighe;
District 3: Donald Rosier
Get your tickets while they last! See page 2 for details.
Page 1
Wespective, Inc.
2015 Sponsors
Title Sponsor
Community First Foundation
Premier Sponsor
Westerra Credit Union
Gold Sponsors
Colorado Community Media
Jeffco Fairgrounds
Silver Sponsors
American Job Center
City of Arvada
City of Lakewood
FirstBank
Good News Celebration Breakfast Supplement · www.goodnewsjeffco.org
Jefferson Center for Mental Health
Jefferson County Education Association
The Action Center
Triad Early Childhood Council
Wells Fargo Bank
Bronze Sponsors
Colorado School of Mines
Developmental Disabilities
Resource Center
Jefferson County Library Foundation
Sooper Credit Union
Village Roaster LTD.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
2015 Good News Breakfast Honorees
The Action Center
The Action Center, founded in 1968, now serves more
than 28,000 individuals a year by providing prevention,
intervention and counseling services. The Action Center
offers numerous special programs throughout the year to
ensure that struggling residents of Jefferson County can
have financial stability. These programs include school
supply distribution, which in 2014 provided nearly 4,000
Jeffco students with a bag of essential school supplies
and a brand-new backpack, thanks to Cardel Homes,
who sponsored the event. Other special programs include
Thanksgiving food boxes and the Santa Shop.
Tori Merritts
Tori has served her community for more than 25 years,
working tirelessly to support numerous community
organizations. Her work with Jeffco Schools has ranged from
PTA president to member of the Board of Education to chair of
the Jeffco Schools Foundation. Tori helped start and continues
to work with Youth Leadership Jefferson County. Through
her membership in the Kiwanis Club of Alameda West, Tori
supports the Bear Creek High School Key Club that has
more than 60 members, many of whom attend regional and
international conferences and leadership training.
Mountain Resource Center
Family Tree
Started in 1976, Family Tree was founded as a cooperative
effort between local governments and concerned citizens
to fill service gaps in Jefferson County. Over the course of
four decades, Family Tree has evolved to provide services
throughout the Denver metro area. It is the only organization
in the area working to address the interconnectedness of
child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. Family
Tree has helped more than 100,000 people become safe,
strong and economically self-reliant.
Max Haug
Max Haug joined the Kiwanis Club of Arvada/Wheat Ridge
in 1958 and has continuously worked on numerous service
projects. His efforts include advising the Arvada High School
Key Club, delivering holiday food baskets and ringing the bell
for the Salvation Army. In 1968, Max founded the Arvada
Community Resources Association, which has provided food
and clothing to thousands. He has chaired the Scholarship
Committee for many years, awarding numerous scholarships
to high school seniors. His dedication and leadership have
inspired many others to service.
Jefferson Center for Mental Health and Harriet Hall
Both the Jefferson Center and its director of 31 years, Harriet
Hall, are being honored. Harriet is a passionate advocate for
individuals and families struggling with mental illness, and
oversees an annual caseload of 23,000. The Jefferson Center
for Mental Health has been the community mental health
center for Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties for 56
years. In 1999, the center helped lead the crisis response for
the Columbine High School tragedy and continues to provide
crisis support for the community after natural disasters and
tragedies. The center has provided mental health first aid
training to more than 700 community members.
Celebrating 25 years of service in 2015, the Mountain
Resource Center’s vision is “neighbors helping neighbors
achieve their potential.” The center offers emergency
services such as food, rent and utility assistance; mental
health services; family and early childhood education;
health insurance enrollment assistance; support for job
seekers and veterans; and a resale store. These programs
help people move to stability and self-sufficiency. In 2014,
Mountain Resource Center served over 7,000 individuals,
and 290 volunteers worked 9,806 hours. Together
volunteers, donors and staff help create a stronger, healthier
place to live.
Ralston House Child Advocacy Center
Ralston House was founded 25 years ago by the Arvada
Children’s Advocacy Center in conjunction with the Arvada
Police Department to provide a comfortable, familyfriendly place to interview children in the investigation of
child abuse. Its mission is to stop the abuse and start the
healing. Working with law enforcement, human services
and the district attorney’s office, Ralston House offers
interviews, victim’s advocacy and medical exams in Jeffco’s
coordinated response to child abuse. The program has
grown from 82 investigative interviews at one facility in
1995 to 1,002 interviews of children and teens at three
locations in 2014.
Jack Seman
Jack Seman, a World War II Army veteran, joined the
Lakeside/Wheat Ridge Kiwanis Club in 1960. He has
provided ongoing support for the needs of kids and currently
is the club’s representative to Arvada/Wheat Ridge Serving
Area Youth. As a Jeffco teacher, dean and principal, he has
served as an educator and mentor to countless students
and as an inspiration to the members of his Kiwanis club.
Jefferson County Mediation Services
Seniors’ Resource Center and John Zabawa
In 1988, Jefferson County Human Services initiated
conflict resolution services and by 1994, Jefferson County
Mediation Services was established to help individuals
and agencies wih a comprehensive, no-cost alternative to
expensive litigation. Neighbors, businesses and estranged
parents meet on equal footing to mediate such diverse
issues as personal damage settlements, parenting time and
employer-employee disputes. Four staff members work with
400 volunteers dedicated to rigorous mediation of almost
2,000 cases each year. Professional mediators donate
5,000 hours annually, saving over $500,000.
Both the Seniors’ Resource Center and John Zabawa,
president and CEO, are being honored. John has worked
with the center for 32 years, helping older adults and family
caregivers during the aging process. Through the center’s
multi-program approach, over 17,800 individuals each
year are able to continue living in their homes. By assisting
older adults in their time of need, the Resource Center
delivers compassionate care and comprehensive services
while providing sound fiscal solutions to the rapidly growing
population of seniors in our county.
Serving Kids Volunteers
Kiwanis Club of Columbine and Riggs Smith
The Kiwanis Club of Columbine performs 63 service projects
each year. One of the most significant is Meals on Wheels.
The club has assumed four routes with the exceptional
leadership and vision of team leader Riggs Smith. Club
members donate over 25 hours every week to help those
who depend on this service for their nutrition. The Kiwanis
Club of Columbine is proud to serve the homebound and
disabled of Jefferson County.
Page 2
The Serving Kids clothing program, an all-volunteer project
of the Jeffco Schools Foundation and Jefferson County
Administrators Association, began in 1996 after a survey
indicated that one factor challenging students’ success was
the simple need for warm, appropriate clothing. Since its
inception, the program has helped thousands of families.
Despite Colorado’s improving economy, Serving Kids
continues to break records for helping students in need,
one-third of whom are homeless. Retired school district
employees spend countless hours collecting, laundering and
delivering clothes for Jeffco kids.
Good News Celebration Breakfast Supplement · www.goodnewsjeffco.org
Wheat Ridge Rotary
Wheat Ridge Rotary, established in 1978, has 37 members,
and its local community projects are designed to embody
the motto “service over self.” Programs include Youth
Leadership Camps – a one-week leadership training
program; Flower Power, where flowers and plants from the
garden show are distributed to residents of nursing homes
and assisted living facilities; and food boxes for needy
residents. The club has awarded over $300,000 in two-and
four-year scholarships to high school seniors from Wheat
Ridge, Jefferson and Warren Tech high schools.
Special Recognition
Mike Bestor
Mike Bestor has an outstanding legacy as Golden’s city
manager. Under his leadership, downtown Golden was
transformed from a ghost town to an attractive tourist
attraction. Community members and visitors may now enjoy
miles of trails, parks, bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly bridges,
a water park and a golf course. Mike has fostered the
growth of citizen-based groups and empowered residents
to be a part of the governmental process. He is a 15-year
veteran of Golden Rotary and a member of the Foothills
Running and Cycling Club.
Lynn A. Johnson
Lynn A. Johnson serves the community as director of
Jefferson County Human Services. Her background and
wisdom in the field of human services have been tapped
through her work with three governors of Colorado as
well as through her leadership on national task forces and
associations. Lynn’s ability to strategize and solve problems
has made a significant impact on programs and issues
involving people in need. Her work in the areas of human
trafficking and eradicating poverty in Jefferson County
through the Jeffco Prosperity Project demonstrates her
passion and unwavering dedication to our community.
Agent Lee Thomas
Agent Lee Thomas has been a Lakewood police agent for
25 years. She has been instrumental in creating a program
that works with senior living facilities and their residents
to develop safety and emergency response plans. She
helped develop the elder abuse training curriculum and has
provided training to agencies around the state. Recently
when Agent Thomas received information about a senior
resident who was being taken advantage of financially by a
family member, she investigated the case herself and filed
criminal charges.
Nominees Provide Service to Thousands
The nominees for 2015 represent outstanding individuals
and organizations who contribute countless hours, incredible
talent and ongoing commitment to our community. In
addition to those chosen as honorees, nominees are:
• Barb Ludwig
• Red Rocks Community College Foundation
• Martin Speech and Associates
• Lutheran Medical Center Cancer Center of Colorado
• CASA of Jefferson, Gilpin counties
• Infinitus Pie
• Jefferson County Education Association
• Jefferson County Open School
• Kevin Davenport
• Severe Weather Collaboration
• Responsible Fatherhood Program
• Power of Partnership
• Aging Well in Jefferson County
• Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
2015 Honorary Board
Mayor Marc Williams, Arvada
Mayor Bonnie McNulty, Edgewater
Mayor Marjorie Sloan, Golden
Mayor Robert Gordanier, Lakeside
Mayor Bob Murphy, Lakewood
Mayor Sean Forey, Morrison
Mayor John McAlister, Mountain View
Mayor Herb Atchison, Westminister
Mayor Joyce Jay, Wheat Ridge
Jeff Shrader, Jefferson County Sheriff
Peter Weir, Jefferson County District Attorney
Dan McMinimee, Jeffco Schools Superintendent
Ken Witt, Jeffco Schools Board President
Dr. Michele Haney, President, Red Rocks Community College
Dr. Bill Scoggins, President Colorado School of Mines
Alan Landes
Neal Browne
Rev. Dr. Alan Landes was born in Albuquerque, New
Mexico, and grew up in Colorado Springs. His education
includes degrees from the University of Colorado, Princeton
Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary.
For more than 21 years, Neal Browne served as a
reporter and anchor for 9News, the NBC affiliate in
Denver. In addition to general assignment, he also
covered politics, the State Legislature, and several
national political conventions. He was nominated for
several Emmys and was awarded two, both for reporting.
He broke the story nationally of the exit of Gary Hart
from the 1988 presidential race.
Alan began his career in 1979 at the Central Presbyterian
Church in Longmont and served as Senior Pastor at the
Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Lakewood
from 1988 to 1999. He also served churches in Santa Ana,
California, and West Chester, Ohio. Recently retired after
35 years of service, Alan and his wife, Connie, now live in
Salina, Kansas, where he in an active volunteer and enjoys
special family time.
In each place of service, Alan was involved in community
affairs. He was one of the founders of ecumenical social
service agencies in Longmont, Jefferson County and West
Chester; helped create and develop Jefferson County’s
Good News Breakfast; and chaired the Metro Mayors and
Commissioners Youth Award for several years. As a result
of his outstanding community service, Alan has been
recognized as Clergy or Volunteer of the Year for a variety of
organizations in several communities.
GNC Hall of Fame
Recipients
2004: Dexter Meyer
2005: Tami Shrader, Roberta Bhasin
2006: Elizabeth Shinn
2007: Barb Ohms, Casey Mahon
2008: Kim Christiansen
2009: Marilyn Saltzman, Jeanne Oliver, Peggy Hallahan
2010: Tori Merritts, Sharon Morneau, Nancy Morgan
2011: Brenda Geist
2012: Neal Browne
2013: Paul Rodriguez
2014: Dr. Cynthia Stevenson
2015: Applewood Kiwanis
Neal formed his own company in 1999 called Media
3, Inc. and a subsidiary, TouchPoint Video, that
help businesses and non-profit organizations tell
their story more effectively, more memorably, and
more compellingly. He also authors the blog: www.
expertmediacoach.com
Neal lives in south Jefferson County with his wife,
and is the stepfather of four adult children and three
grandchildren.
Good News Themes:
Since 2002
2002: Inspiring Creativity Through the Arts in Jefferson County
2003: Celebrating Our Environment: Promoting, Preserving,
Protecting Our Natural Heritage
2004: Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Communities
2005: Building Bridges
2006: Turning Vision into Action
2007: Business Building Better Communities
2008: Great Kids Building Great Communities
2009: Seniors on the Move
2010: Literacy: Creating Lifelong Learning
2011: Growing Legacy of Good Works
2012: Jefferson County, A Home for Everyone…
Meeting the Basic Needs of Our Community
2013: Spiritual Values: Inspiring Stories That Enrich
Our Communities
2014: Service Projects Strengthen our Community
2015: Jefferson County – Here for Good
Wendy Woodland, President, Jefferson County
Administrator Association
John Ford, President, Jefferson County Education Association
Michele Patterson, President, Jefferson County PTA
Dr. Harriet Hall, President/CEO, Jefferson Center for
Mental Health
Dr. Mark Johnson, Executive Director, Jefferson County
Public Health
Ray Elliott, Chair, Jefferson County Library Board of Trustees
Lynn Johnson, Executive Director, Jefferson County Dept. of
Human Services
Marla Williams, President/CEO, Community First Foundation
Dr. Art Hogling, Executive Director, Developmental Disabilities
Resource Center
Thomas Currigan, Chair, Duncan Family YMCA Board
John Zabawa, President/CEO, Seniors' Resource Center
Pam Nissler, Executive Director, Jefferson County
Public Library
Tami Bandimere Shrader, President, Jefferson County
Public Library Foundation
Patricia Mesec, President, Jefferson County League of
Women Voters
Jeff Whipple, Vice President & Cmty Banking District Mgr.,
Wells Fargo Bank
Scott Shields, CEO, Family Tree
Mag Strittmatter, Executive Director, Jeffco Action Center
Jerry Marks, Chair, Arvada Chamber Board
Kevin Ruble, Lisa Austin, Co-chairs, Evergreen
Chamber Board
Kelley Jackson-Condon, Chair, Golden Chamber Board
Darrin Hammerschmidt, Chair, West Chamber Board
Dan Rodriguez, President, CEO, West Chamber
Kevin McCasky, President, CEO, Jefferson County Economic
Development Corporation
Rob Osborn, Chair, Jefferson County Economic
Development Corporation
Tim Zeman, Publisher, Evergreen Newspapers
Doug Bell, Editor, Evergreen Newspapers
Jerry Healey, Publisher, Colorado Community Media
Mikkel Kelly, Editor, Colorado Community News
William Dean Singleton, Publisher, The Denver Post
Vikki Migoya, Editor, Denver Post Your Hub
Libby Szabo, Jefferson County Commissioner
Hall of Fame:
Donald Rosier, Jefferson County Commissioner
Casey Tighe, Jefferson County Commissioner
Applewood Kiwanis
The members of the Applewood Kiwanis have helped faithfully with parking for the Good News Breakfast for decades –
through rain, snow, sleet and wind. With their cheerful smiles, the Kiwanians are in the parking lot before the break of
dawn to make sure all goes smoothly
for breakfast attendees. When they
are not assisting with parking, the 30
members of the Applewood Kiwanis are
serving meals to the homeless through
Family Promise; supporting the Stober
Fun Run; helping The Action Center;
reading to Jeffco elementary students;
and working at the Ronald McDonald
House. The Applewood Kiwanis support
the Eliminate Project to vaccinate
moms around the world and eliminate
neonatal tetanus.
Page 3
Good News Celebration Breakfast Supplement · www.goodnewsjeffco.org
Randy and Sheila Rooney, Jefferson County’s longest
continuous family living residents
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
The Good News Coalition thanks our major sponsors!
WE ARE PROUD TO JOIN THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COALITION
TO POWER COMMUNITY AND SHARE GOOD NEWS.
Forty years ago, we began our mission right here in Jefferson County.
Our roots are here and we are incredibly proud to celebrate the good news and good
people who make up this community. Congratulations on 25 inspiring years.
SERVING JEFFERSON, CLEAR CREEK AND GILPIN COUNTIES
Proud sponsor of the 25th Annual Good News Breakfast!
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The American Job Center (AJC) promotes economic vitality by identifying,
developing and matching a talented workforce to business.
Last year, AJC assisted 7,300 qualified job seekers with employment opportunities.
For more information call 303.271.4700.
http://jeffco.us/american-job-center
3500 Illinois Street
Golden, Colorado 80401
StandUpForAllStudents.org
#standup4kids
jcea.coloradoea.org
FirstBank is Proud to
Support the Jefferson County
Good News Breakfast
Member FDIC
Transparency
Accountability,DQG
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JCEA²Jefferson County Education Association
efirstbank.com
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PARTNERING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES
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Seeing the
possibilities
Congratulations
to the
2015 Honorees!
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Wells Fargo is proud to recognize
Good News Jefferson County Coalition.
© 2014 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. (1176743_11312)
Lakewood Linked
THANKS FOR
ALL THE
GOOD NEWS
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Page 4
Good News Celebration Breakfast Supplement · www.goodnewsjeffco.org
Tuesday, April 28, 2015