Life
Seeing
Differently
Anchor Center for Blind Children
Julie McAndrews Mork Building
Commemorative Book
Grand Opening, Fall 2007
All children
deserve a childhood
clockwise from top left:
• Ava and her dad explore the Sensory
Garden, 2007
• Jamison plays with light, early 1990s
• JC shows Deyannira the Trail Rail and
Light Walk at the new school, 2007
• Kishia and Lori experience rain, 1990
fun
411 fact
did
you kn
ow. . .
Number of children and families
served in 1982-83: 10
Number of children and families
served in 2006-07: 411
...full of
2
wonder,
joy
and hope.
In our new building…
Anchor Center’s
teaching facility
is about light —
diffused, colored and
kaleidoscope — to
support the children’s
learning. Each of the
classroom pods has
Anchor Center for Blind Children gives young children and their families a
nurturing environment where children discover their own gifts and families
are made stronger.
a different color so
Character, independence, creativity and self-worth: Anchor Center
programs lay the foundation for true success in life. We want children to
thrive in their communities.
design element, subtle
Constructed in 2007, Anchor Center’s Julie McAndrews Mork Building
is a unique teaching facility, built with heart and soul, and dedicated with
love to Colorado’s young blind children and their families. We thank all
the families — past and present — who have graciously allowed us to share
their journeys.
the facility.
in a specific space. This
inside, is dramatic seen
from the outside of
‘‘
‘‘
Welcome to the magic! Welcome to the possibility!
children know they are
“All you know is God gave you a gift…I’m a normal girl.
All it is, is my eyes don’t work very well.”
Casey (right), shown with good friend Keslie at Anchor Center, 1998-99.
Casey is now in 5th grade
star light,
star bright
I wish I may,
Anchor Center for Blind Children’s Julie McAndrews Mork Building embraces all the senses so that
the building itself is a teaching tool. It has special acoustics, light and textures to enhance the children’s
understanding of the world.
Welcome
The entry way has a spot to store strollers and car seats and a quiet area for parents to connect. The Grand
Hallway leads to all the classrooms and has multiple way-finding tools for the children.
For example, the hallway floor alternates between wood and tile floors. The tile floors let children know
they are at the entrance to a classroom pod. The children not only feel the texture change at the tile floor,
but hear the sound change as their canes and footsteps resonate on the different surfaces.
The Trail Rail on the north side of the hallway also guides children to
the classrooms. Notches in the Trail Rail tell children when they are
nearing a classroom.
The Light Walk on the hallway floor simulates natural light, illuminating the way for children who see some light. Look above: Skylights
glow in subtle blue, yellow and red alerting the children to the three
classroom pods.
Down the Grand Hallway
The first classroom pod, “Blue,” has a Quiet Room, Infant Classroom,
Sibling Care Room and Children’s Kitchen and Dining Room. Preschoolers
“cook” and “clean up” in a kitchen that is just their size.
The second classroom pod, “Yellow,” has a classroom with a tiny stage, a
Light Room, Fine Motor Work/Art Room, Literacy Room and Eye Exam
Room.
fun
570 fact
did
you kn
ow. . .
Anchor Center’s first classroom
was just 570 square feet. The new
Julie McAndrews Mork Building
has 15,600 square feet.
• top: Cane Walk Lane
• bottom: Miss Muffy and
Miranda practice tap dancing in
the new Motor Room, 2007
I wish I might…
4
The Light Room, a perennial favorite of children and their parents, has optimal lighting sources and high contrast to use vision in play. The Work/Art
Room encourages development of fine motor skills as children engage in
messy play. Exposure to reading begins in the Literacy/Braille Room, where
children enjoy story time under natural light in the Broncos Reading Corner.
In our new building…
All the classrooms are
acoustically engineered
to minimize noise and
give children directional
The third classroom pod, “Red,” features a large Motor Room with a hard
wood floor for tap dancing and a soft rubber floor for running, jumping,
scooting, rolling and crawling. The pod also has a delightful Tree House,
Sensory Gym, Braille Production Office and a sensory classroom called
Benjamin’s Niche.
sound cues. Every room
has one wall at a slight
angle to achieve the
desired acoustics.
Two sets of cubbies are tucked between the classroom pods.
These custom cubbies have hideaway benches, space for
hanging a cane, and notches that tell children which cubbie
is theirs. Also between the pods are informal lounges for
visitors and families.
Light and Shadow
The Kaleidoscope Discovery Wall, the east wall in the Motor
Room, has colored glass and nooks and crannies that beckon
children to explore and learn the concepts of room and space.
Outside it becomes Kaleidoscope Slope with planting beds,
grassy play area and tiny benches.
‘‘
‘‘
The nature playground features the Sensory Garden, Cane Walk Lane, Braille
Trail, Sunflower Garden and Greenhouse — all within view from the Gazebo.
• top: Carol works with preschoolers Skyla and Arturo in
the Children’s Kitchen and Dining Room, 2007
• right: Kaleidoscope Discovery Wall
“Anchor Center gave me mobility. Anchor Center also
gave me hope. It’s a building block that keeps people
going. It certainly kept me going.”
David Bahr, Anchor Center preschool graduate, currently a psychology
major at the University of Denver
our
History
Extraordinary women created Anchor Center for Blind Children in 1982. They saw a need, met it with
enthusiasm and love, worked hard and confronted difficult challenges. These women put the “Anchor” in
Anchor Center for Blind Children — and it all started with a thoughtful librarian.
In the early 1980s, the late Linda Miller was the Children’s Librarian at the Colorado Library for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped. She distributed Talking Books to pre-kindergartners with vision
impairments and knew that there were no early intervention or developmental education programs for
very young blind children in Colorado at that time.
Linda contacted Sue Newhart-Larson, who was a state rehabilitation counselor for the visually impaired
and had organized a support group for parents of blind babies across the state. She also called JC Greeley,
who was a teacher of visually impaired children in the public school system.
Together, Linda, Sue and JC reached out to alumnae of Linda’s college fraternity, Delta Gamma. Members
of Delta Gamma Fraternity have long had sight conservation and aid to the blind as their national
philanthropy. The Denver alumnae quickly envisioned and then established a preschool for children of
Sue Newhart-Larson’s parent support group.
• below: Teacher JC Greeley and the graduating class
of 1984: (l-r) Beth Gustin, Mike Weis, Travis Hill,
Rachel Morrison, Joshua O’Dell
fun
cuckoo fact
did
you kn
ow. . .
The most unusual preschool field
trip was in 2005 to visit a clock
store. Hundreds of clocks chimed
for the children but their favorite,
a traditional cuckoo clock, was
generously donated to us.
• center: Amber (far left), preschool graduate 1987,
shown with her sisters — the only set of quadruplets
ever served at Anchor Center
• right: Justin, Bianca and Carlos try on hats at
Anchor Center’s former building on the Clayton
Campus, 1994
• left: Founder Ruth Thomas in early 1990s
• below: Derek works on his cane skills, 2000
6
The first classroom was a borrowed Sunday school room at Wellshire
Presbyterian Church. Sue and JC stored school supplies and equipment in
the trunks of their cars and used the church’s payphone as their school phone.
DG Alumna Ruth Thomas was a founding board member and is the unofficial
historian of Anchor Center for Blind Children. She recalls how alumnae rolled
up their sleeves and tackled the business of creating a non-profit organization
that also required licensing as a daycare facility.
In our new building…
The trees, shrubs,
perennials, bulbs and
ornamental grasses in
the nature playground
were all selected for
In the beginning, much of the work and discussion took place around alumnae’s their sensory qualities.
kitchen tables. Volunteers were recruited to write grants, drive children to school, The slatted fence
help in the classroom and raise funds through special events.
surrounding the
The little school grew and grew, eventually serving children from birth to age
5 throughout Colorado who needed its services. Over 25 years, Anchor Center
staff developed expertise in teaching very young blind children. Today, the staff
is nationally recognized as leaders in the field of developmental education for
visually impaired children.
light and shadow
and offers another
tactile experience for
the children.
In 1982, DG alumnae named the school after their Fraternity’s
symbol: the Anchor. The anchor is an old symbol of hope.
Hope is the bedrock of Anchor Center programs and the reason
for its existence. Thank you, founders and visionaries, for
sharing yourselves and giving us hope.
‘‘
DG alumnae continue to support Anchor Center, but the
organization now enjoys broad-based community support
from individuals, foundations and corporations. It also has
a diverse Board of Directors from all walks of life.
‘‘
playground plays with
• Volunteer Mary Rogers cuddles an infant, 1991
“We found incredible support, incredible knowledge and
incredible warmth. There is no better support for a
journey shared.”
Karen Roberts, mother of Benjamin pictured here, class of 2003
Julie
McAndrews Mork
Anchor Center for Blind Children’s new teaching facility is named in honor of Julie McAndrews Mork, a
longtime supporter and dedicated advocate for Colorado’s young children with vision impairments.
Julie was among the organization’s first loyal supporters, guiding the center through its early years, raising
funds and volunteering. She was President of the Board of Directors from 1984 to 1987 and currently
serves on the Advisory Board.
In 1999, she was awarded the Virginia Deal Williams award for volunteer excellence. She and her
husband, John, were honorary chairs of the 20th Anniversary Celebration in 2002, and have participated
in numerous fundraising events for Anchor Center for Blind Children.
Along with their children, Kyle and Alison, the Morks helped make the new teaching facility possible
with a generous matching gift in 2006. Both Julie and Alison
are alumnae of the Delta Gamma Fraternity, which founded
Anchor Center in 1982.
Julie is Managing Director of the ECA Foundation, a private,
corporate foundation based in Denver with a focus on youth
and education. She has been a Director of Energy Corporation
of America since 1993, and was a founder and Secretary/
Treasurer of Pacific States Gas & Oil, Inc., and Eastern
American Energy Corporation.
ECA Foundation and Energy Corporation of America made
lead gifts to the capital campaign to build the new teaching
facility.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this exciting opportunity for
Anchor Center and its incredible students,” said Julie
• John and Julie Mork
McAndrews Mork. “Over the past 25 years I’ve been blessed
to watch Anchor Center’s programs help hundreds of children not just
live with their vision impairment, but thrive and contribute to the world around them.”
fun
33,645 fact
did
you kn
ow. . .
Most miles logged providing home
visits and rural outreach: 33,645
in 2006-07.
Gratitude
Thank you to the following generous friends who shared the vision and the journey to Stapleton.
You made Anchor Center for Blind Children’s new home a reality.
The Lanny Martin Family
Dan and Denise Murray
Susan and Howard Noble
Lexy and Brad Pfeifley
Mary and Tom Rogers
$500,000-$999,999
Anonymous
Gates Family Foundation
Toni and Emmet Stephenson
$100,000-$499,999
Adolph Coors Foundation
Bacon Family Foundation
Boettcher Foundation
George E. and Betty B. Dutton Foundation
Kenneth King Foundation
Suzanne Kullgren Kintzele
RE/MAX International, Inc.
The Rollie R. Kelley Family Foundation
John and Susan Sheridan
Karen and Randal Woods
The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
$50,000-$99,999
Anonymous
Delta Gamma Alumnae of Denver
INTECON, LLC
Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation
Martin Family Foundation
OfficeScapes
Mary Reisher and Barry Berlin
Paul and Linda L. Sinsar
Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation
St Mary Land & Exploration Company
$25,000-$49,999
Bruce and Cheryl Blankenship
John and Sandy Blue
Children’s Eye Physicians, P.C.
EKS&H
Kaye and Mike Hurtt
Don and Sandie Ihlenfeldt
Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation
Lafarge Building Blocks of Our Community
Richard and Shauna Landon
The Lillis Foundation
Randall H. and Marcia M. Lortscher
‘‘
$15,000-$24,999
Sandra and Gary Autrey
Linda and Ron Branish
Wendy and John Clayton
Delta Gamma Foundation
Susan M. Duncan
Susan Gates Jamieson
Gensler
James Hynd Trust
Jeffrey and Karen Roberts
Sally and Harold Roberts
Strear Family Foundation
Trask Family Foundation
Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company
Grimshaw & Harring
Hobart Corp.
Bud and Kaye Isaacs
Mary and Lucian Jones
Margie A. Kinslow
Sally and Thomas Lowe
Pete Morgan Foundation
Schlessman Family Foundation, Inc.
Dana B. Shepard
Jackie and James Stratis
Jefferey and Tanya Watkins
$1,000-$4,999
Advanced Exercise Equipment Inc.
Joanne and Robert Alspaugh
Amgen Foundation Matching Gifts Program
Arapahoe Sertoma Club Bingo
Gerald R. Armstrong
Glen and Barbara Barnard
$10,000-$14,999
Thomas and Susan Bass
Frank Baumgartner
Ann and Robert Benson
Gay and Dan Boyd
Natelle and Curt Brown
Fishes and Loaves Foundation
Burchcraft Inc.
Norma Lee Frederic
Isabelle and John Burchfield
Margie and David Hunter
Calvada Surveying, Inc.
Carol and Brad James
Rebecca and James Calvert
John and Mary Ann Lundgren
Campbell Foundation Fund
RLC Foundation
Thomas and Judith Canter
Diane and Tom Stortz
Caulkins Family Foundation
George and Candance Webb
Charles Schwab Foundation
Willbee Erickson Charitable Fund
Courtney Clayton
Marcia Williams
Robert Clayton
Mariette and Douglas Wooden
Gary and Tracy Corbett
Linda and Kees Corssmit
$5,000-$9,999
Craig Hospital
Alice and Marc Applebaum
Barbara and Bob Davis
Pamela Bailey Campbell and Michael Campbell
Sara and Michael DiManna
Jim and Pam Crowe
Delta Gamma – Phi Chapter, University of Colorado Patricia Durliat
Darren and Blake Fisk
James M. and Jane Davis
Jo Frederic
Joan and Dan Dixon
Sheila and Manfred Galatowitsch
Jane Douglas and Carroll Novicki
Jean and Ben Galloway
Paul and Susan Ducklow
Janet and Craig Gardiner
Forest City Stapleton Inc.
Judith Greeley
The Galena Foundation
Hal and Beverly Haddon
Samuel Gary
Christi and Jim Harman
Gary-Williams Energy Corporation
Michelle Hernandez
Graebel Movers
‘‘
$1,000,000 and above
ECA Foundation
– Energy Corporation of America
– Julie, John, Kyle and Alison Mork
Austin Glen Anchor Center Building
Endowment Fund
“The name of the organization speaks for itself. It is an
anchor. You can almost look at our situation as being out
in turbulent seas, and being very rough and difficult and
challenging. It’s kind of like a safe harbor for people who
need help.”
Robert Lindley, parent of Aidan pictured here, 2007 preschooler
8
Nancy and Albert Hill
Chuck and Diane Hooper
Josh and Kimball Howell
Integrated Physical Therapy of Littleton
Kathryn and Jerad Justesen
Frank and Carolyn Keller
Dona and Jim Kelley
Amy and John Lawton
Marty Leuthaeuser
Linda and Gene Lewis
Robert and Cheryn Lindley
Eric and Susan Ludwig
Charles and Joan Mateskon
Yvonne and William McCallum
Nancy and Hugh McCulloh
Doug and Linda McDonald
Holly and Mac McDonald
Gayle and Dennis McGowan
James Metcalf
W. Douglas and Lynnette Morrison
Jennifer and Sean Myers
Nancy and Gordon Nelson
Lynn Norsworthy
Harriett and Laurence Paddock
Dennis Quinn
Judy and Clark Riley
Dave, Janet and AnnaSophia Robb
Kathy and Darrel Schmidt
Scripps Howard Foundation
Gregory Seller and Brad White
Belinda and Tom Severtson
Signil Wealth Network Inc.
Barry Slights
Dan and Cathy Smith
David and Catherine Smyth
Paula Stallman
Stapleton Foundation
James and Constance Steeples
Peggy and John Talbot
E. Stewart Taylor in memory of Ruth F. Taylor
Jason and Heidi Teter
Ruth and Jack Thomas
Tuchman Family Foundation
William and Karen Waller
Julie and Bill Walsh
Nancy and Douglas Walton
Weil Family Foundation
Wells Fargo
Charline and Alan White
Whiting Petroleum Corp.
Miriam and Mason Whitney
Williams Title Guaranty & Escrow Ltd.
Lucy Wirth
Suzanne Woodard
Marion Woodward
XploreNet, Bill and Karen Young
$500-$999
ACT Investments
Laura May and Herbert L. Bacon
Esther Beynon and Alfred W. Metzger
Karen and Chris Brandvold
Jim and Kathy Brown
Brownstein Hyatt & Farber
Joseph and Val Casabona
Leslie and George Cavalieri
Michael Clayton and Caitlin Weil
James and Toni Cohig
Mona Costley
CRL Associates Inc.
Wendee and Michael Crowley
Delta Gamma Alumnae of Colorado Springs
Delta Gamma Alumnae Chapter –
Chicago West Suburban
Delta Gamma Bowling League
Cindy and Jeff Dohse
Bailey and Marilou Dotson
Brad Dutton
Brian Fine
Patty and Randolph Garfield
Louanna and Steven Gerleman
Golden Lions Club
John and Michelle Hanley
Katherine Haraway
Julie Heath
Duane and Mary Lou Johnson
Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell LLP
Larry King
Laura and Robert Koecheler
Bradley and Kimie Kreidle
Donna and Chuck Lehman
John Lowrie
Patricia and Donald Lujan
Pamela Mahonchak
Jean Manion
Gretchen Gagel McComb
Messner & Reeves LLC
Marcia and Jack Mitchell, Mitchell Financial Printing
Nancy Motlong
Kerry, Brian and Elizabeth Musfeldt
Patton Boggs LLP
Orpha and Fred Pattridge
Carrie Pena and Michael Slater
Ersel E. and Linda M. Reid
Carla Richards
Gregory and Jacqueline Rodriguez
Sage Ann Scheer
David and Carrie Seiferth
Senn Visciano Kirschenbaum Merrick PC
Elaine Senter
Joanne and Nicholas Sesson
Nancy Smith
William S. Smith
F.P. and Judith Spratlen
Harriet Strong
Richard and Deanna Thornburg
Pat and Fritz Uhrmann
Urban Summit Holdings LLC
fun
1,250 fact
did
you kn
ow. . .
Preschoolers have used
1,250 pounds of flour during
25 years of weekly bread-baking.
(Kneading bread dough
strengthens tiny fingers for
seeing the world by touch.)
Mark and Sheryl VanDuren
Tim and Cynthia Wadle
Carol and Hunt Walker
Arlys Warfield
Erik and Ellen Weihenmayer
Marylin and Donald Werschky
Nancy and Grant Wimbush
$100-$499
5280 Property Investments LLC
Nina Abernathy
Chris Acuna
Kristin and Mark Adams
William Allegar
Mary Louise and Crawford Allison
Pamela Altman
True Anderson
Anonymous
Marilyn and Steve Arens
Bonnie and Jerry Armstrong
Jean Arthur
Richard and Anne Auerbach
LuAnne Aulepp
Bill and Stephany Austin
Charles and Michele Bahr
Norma Barrett
Joan and Harry Baumgardner
Barbara and Field Benton
Wanda Blackburn
Susan and Dale Boller
Joan Botdorf
William Bronchick
Hichem and Sue Bouraoui
Shirley and Thomas Bowman
Kristin Brinkman
Breakfast Optimist Club of Windsor Gardens
Wendy and Mark Brodsky
Kendra Brooks
Broomfield Dental Care PC
Jeanine Brown
Nancy and Dean Burchfield
Jerome and Elaine Burdock
Bill and Patti Carpenter
Ken and Lisa Chaiken, Loudmouth Media
Chambers Family Fund
Jean Chatlain
Karen Henniger Cheeld
John and Marjorie Chipouras
Katherine Ciejek
Christine and Eugene Clark
Phyllis and Ronald Coffin
Bob Colby
Steven and Carolyn Coleman
William B. and L. Alice Collister
Colorado Freewheelers
Colorado Home Masters
Tracy and Judith Cooke
Mona Costley
Lisa and Mark Cramer
Marjorie and Hugh Daniell
Cynthia and Richard Daniels
Davis Partnership
Paula DeMuth
Diana DeSantis Kachmer and Mark Kachmer
Jean DeSena
William Dettling
Dave Dixon
Lynn Domeck
Lois Downing
Kirk and Melinda McCall
Dwight Duryea
Andrew and Bartley Dutton
Patricia Edwards
Dennis and Lori Falkner
Elizabeth Feitner
Michael Field
First Data Western Union Foundation
Flatirons Optometric Group PC
Douglas Lee Frederic
Matthew Frederic and Family
Rand Frederic
Pamela Gagel
Patricia Gardner
Thomas and Margaret Gardner
Will Garin
Marla and Richard Gentry
Norma Gerber
Andrea and Michael Glass
Thomas and Veronica Gleason
Elaine and Edward Goldman
Lynne and Tom Gooch
Jeanne Goss
Marie Patricia Gower
Sara and Larry Grace
Kitty Greeley
Andrew Haas
Joy Hall and John Birkeland
Carl and Mary Jo Harder
Nicole Harwell
Todd Haughton
Virginia Haynes
William Hearn
Barb Heverly
Marilyn Hilgers
Eric Hoffman
Suzanne and David Hoover
Gary and Leslie Howard
Lori and Trevor Howard
Anne and Kirk Ingebretsen
Jeanne Ingold
Stephen and Stephanie Ismert
Nancy Jacobsen
Steven and Lydia Jaggard
Lawrence Janowski
Japanese Automotive Specialist
Gail and George Johansen
Marilyn Katzman
Thomas and Julie Kessler
Carolyn Kirwan
Cecil and Joan Knox
Ze Ze Kreidle
Ioannis and Julie Krousouloudis
Alex and Beth Lagerborg
Don and Charlotte Lawless
Donna and Chuck Lehman
Chris and William Leonard
Gary Licata
Tazia Livaditis
Darlene Locke
C. Wills and Patricia Long
Brenda and Hector Lopez
Loyal Order of Moose – Denver Lodge No 21
Patricia Lufkin
Betty MacDougall
Jorge and Erica Maciel
Terry MacMillan
Laurel and Denis Mark
Pamela Marsh
Laura Marvin
DeDee Mashek
Patricia Mason
Bret and Alyssa Maynard
Brittany Maynor
Adelina and Robert McAndrews
Alicia and Peter McAndrews
Gertrude H. McDermott
Randal and Zelia McDowell
Patricia and Robert McGill
David and Ruth McLaren
Judy McMillan
Gabriel Medina
Lloyd Medina
Janine and Mark Melberg
Phipps and Bruce Menk
Marilyn and Richard Metcalfe
Brian and Mary Minturn
Charlotte L. Morgan
Lane Morgese
Mila C. Morgese
Zoe Larsen Morgese
Larry Mostrom
Nancy Murphy
Barb Nelson
Carolina May and Thomas Nevens
Northern Colorado Delta Gamma Alumnae
Kathleen and Martin O’Fallon
Gary and Jo Ann Oakley
Oppenheimer Funds Legacy Program
Marjorie and David Parlapiano
Fred and Karen Pasternack
Jane Pecorelli
PMF Group
Plum Creek Funding Inc.
Dorothy Polen
Jerry and Nadine Popham
Tricia Potucek
Carol Benson Puchalski
Janice Puder
Christine and Steven Ralston
Pamela and Richard Randall
Jo Ann Randolph
Brad and Pat Rhodes
James Rieppel and Paulette Sanchez
Linda and Rick Robbins
Monja Rochholz
Sally and Mark Roebke
Mary and David Rossbach
Tom and Pam Ruehle
Jane Russell
Deb Sakaguchi
Janet and Tom Sangster
Scott and Jeanette Saylor
Blake and Erin Schaefer
Jan and Richard Schaefer
Ellen and Donald Scott
Sara T. Siegesmund
Marty and Nathalie Simsak
Ray Skibitsky
Roy Smith
Edie Smith and Rob Parkinson
Kate and Michael Snow
Carol and Michael Spicer
Debbie Stafford
Adele and Jeff Stalder
Cathy and S. David Steel
Bonnie and T.B. Stewart, Jr.
James and Cheryl Strang
Rob and Melita Swanson
Kristi and D. Brooks Sweeney
Robert and Shelly Tanaka
Arthur and Judith Tarler
Lois Tate
Bill and Sharon Taylor
Stephen and Lori Taylor
Ken and Christine Thiesen
Veronica Tighe
David and Susan Tollman
US Bank
Matt and Mary Anne Vos
Rick and Jackie Watkins
Darla West
Joshua White
Ted Williams
Gail and James Wilson
Duane Wishmeyer
Mary and James Woodard
Wendy Woodard and Olive McLamb
Xcel Energy Foundation
Dennis and Cheryl Zubieta
Evan Zuckerman and Andrew Bernstein
up to $100
Holly Adams
Marian and Charles Adams
Caroline Albright
Mary and Thomas Albyn
Susan and Michael Alexenko
Brett and Maria Ammerman
Ralph and Beth Anctil
Anonymous
Dennis and Pat Applebaum
Rhonda Atkinson
Susan Bacheller
Jill and Gerard Baker
Shirley Baker
Kathleen and the late Douglas Bates
Pat Bayer
John Bell
Anne Beierle
Nancy Billica and Brian Vickers
Sue Bishop
Sue Blaes
Dale and Robert Blaha
Lindsey Blue
Judy Blunck
Ramona Botzum
Janet Boulter
Francis Louise Bowman
Beverly and Thomas Brayden
Sandra Bretzlauf
Sandra Brinckerhoff
Mary Broadhurst
Margaret and Andrew Bronson
James and Nancy Brown
Keith Brown
Rosemary Brown and Willard Briggs
Carol Burger
Edith Busam
Marilyn Bush
Pat and Dick Buxton
Susan and Ned Calonge
Bryan and Kelly Calton
Kelli Cammack
Jane Carlson
Jason Carlson
Robert and Kaye Carney
Barbara Cartier
DJ and Norma Catrambone
Catrambone Dental Associates PC
Nancy and Bradford Chase
Roger and Julie Childs
Donna and Walter Cianfichi
Christina L. Clark
Karen Clements
Charles and Sharon Cooper
Kathryn and Hobart Corning
Robin Cowell
Patricia Cox
Wynona and Greg Crum
Christy Cutler and Bill Walters
Margorie Cutler
Anne and Robert Dahl
10
Elizabeth Davenport
Marjorie and J. Ron Day
Cindy DeLong
Thomas Dettling
James and Thayis Dionne
David Dittmer
Anna Mae Duffy
Dana Susan Dunlap
Chris and Angie Edmundson
Janel and Ryan Elmore
Vivian Emrich
Bruce and Donna Evans
R. Craig and Mary Ewing
Donna and Robert Exstrom
Joan Fairbanks
Catherine and Michael Feilla
Marjorie and Lawrence Feinberg
Pete Feovenyessy
Kathryn Flores
Sally and Russ Frerichs
Myrna Fretz
Anita and Richard Fricklas
Roger Fuehrer
Virginia and Robert Fuller
Edward and Su Gabrielsen
Patricia Garofalo
Nancy Garretson
Leanna and Frank Gay
Lisa and David Gervasi
Nadine Gillespie
William and Rebecca Gillespie
Elizabeth and Kenneth Glann
Gloria Glasby
Christina and H.G. Godbey
Helen and M. Goering
Penina Goodman
Kelly Goodnough
Cindy and Richard Gordon
Gayle Gordon
Dean and Cheryl Goto
Max and Virgina Gramly
Jo Anne and Daniel Gray
Shirley Green
Art Greslin
Joseph and Barbara Gschwendtner
Sheila Guinn
Barbara Gump
David and Laura Haber
Nancy Jones Hall and Henry Hall
Patricia Hamilton
Felicity Hannay
Phoebe Hansen
Craig Harris
Barbara Harward
Gerald Hatch
Phyllis Heble
Myra Hellbusch
Lynn and Vern Hendrickson
Helen Hickisch
Hildebrand Chiropractic LLC
Susan Hillhouse
Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld
Robert and Gail Hoebing
Marcia Howland
Thayer Hubbard
Claudia Hunsaker
Bradley and Tanya Hunt
Catherine and Greg Hurd
Lynn and Doug Huxley
Rich Israel and Doris Schuler Israel
Janet Jacobs
Tom and Jean Jahant
David Jankosky
Dolores Jankosky
Norman and Lois Jouett
Michael and Jennifer Kerr
Audrey Kiesel
Emily Kloser
Joseph Kraker
Geraldine Kugler
Betty Kulish
Frank and Betty Kutner
Patricia Lally
Christopher and Monica Latkiewicz
Nina Lavin
Stephanie Leonard
EM and Marjorie Lesho
Jan Ley
Paul and Elizabeth Licht
Valerie and Richard Liechty
Elaine and Michael Little
Deloras and Leland Loney
Shannon Love
Ray and Mariann Lowrie
Susan Lozow
David Lucas
Fred Ludwig
Patricia Lueb
Cecelia Lundgren
Phyllis Madden
Mildred Gates Maker
George and Lucille Mamas
Lani Manning
Nicole and Greg Markley
Barbara Marshall
Marianne Martin
Rebecca Martin
Paul and Sally Mathewson
Carol Maxson
Jessica and Nathen Maxwell
Mary McCormick
Gertrude and Paul McDermott
Harriet McGuire
Richard and Joan McKenna
Maureen and Tom McKenzie
Barbara and Paul Melinkovich
Sharol Metzler
Betty Meyer
Duane Meyer Appraisals
Helen and Elwood Meyer
John Meyer
Patricia and Bernie Michalek
Maggie and David Milek
Thomas and Frances Milner
Ann Moores
Christine Murphy
Jennifer Murphy
Kathleen Murphy-Skibitsky
Joel Nelson
Netfund Group of Colorado Inc.
John and Joyce Neville
Maura O’Sullivan
Allene and Mark Outman
Michelle Palmer
Nancy Parker
Muriel Patterson
Jane Penoyer
Elizabeth Perry
Vickie and Ronald Phillips
Ana and Sean Pocock
Don Pope
Patricia Porter
Georgia Prapas
Wayne and Kim Pruitt
Ann Musman Quigley
Barbara K. Reed
Michael and Jeanette Reynolds
Luanne Richie
Helen Risley
Susan C. Robinson and
David E. Steinke
Diana Rosenthal
Sharon Rouse
Ed and Rebecca Rowland
Susan Rudd
Ann and Bruce Rush
Katherine Vaggalis Schaaf
Mercedes and Brendan Schwall
Carol and Glenn Schwarte
Joanne Sesson
Betty Sexton, Polly Sexton and
Curtis Cornett, and the
Eddie Coulson Family
Joan Shada
Annette Shaffer
Patsy Shanahan
Ellin Sickler
Betsy Simons
Southmoor East Garden Club
KK Skylar
Jeff Slankard
Jane Spencer
Janet Spradley
Sandra Staab
J.H. and Ruth Stambaugh
Judi Starnes
Betty and Lloyd Steinmann
fun
$25,000 fact
did
you kn
Jane E. Strottman
James and Margaret Strub
Kathryn Stuart
Karen and John Stultz
Jill Taylor
Bill and Marilyn Taylor
Rita Temple-Trujillo
Amy Teryazos
Jan and Tim Thornton
Nancy Thornton
Georgianna Tidwell
Anna and Fred Tilson
Jami Toole
MaryAnn and Kip Travis
Victoria Travis
Julie Turken
Stacy Turner
Karon Turpin
Karen and Frank Van De Water
Lois Vinge
Valerie Walker
Arlys Warfield
Washington Mutual Matching
Gift Program
Margaret and Robert Weisenbach
Kay and Paul Wells
Schuyler and Alice Wells
Wendy Clayton’s Lunch Bunch
Patricia Wheeler
Coralou B. White
Betty Jayne Whitson
Alice Wilson
Hal and Susan Wofford
David and Katherine Wood
Kuo Yang
Christy and Gordon Yonz
Maggie Diers Yost
ow. . .
Anchor Center’s budget in 1982
was $25,000. The budget in
2007-08 is $1.5 million.
• top: Anthony in new Motor
Room, 2007
• bottom: Nicholas discovers
the water feature in the Sensory
Garden, 2007
Snug Harbor
Parent Lounge
Transition
Area
G
Community Room
adults
Offices
Architect: Davis Partnership
Contractor: Fransen Pittman General Contractors
Owner’s Representative: Michael Brisbois Associates
When children and
families first arrive,
concrete “rumble
strips” at the entrance
tell children when their
vehicles are turning into
the parking lot. Rumble
strips are also near the
front door for children
using canes.
Parents attend
programs with their
babies to learn about
early motor and play
skill development.
Silence rules
in the Quiet
Room.
Shhh!!
Quiet Room
Quiet area
for observing
children in the
classrooms.
This classroom has
a little stage for
acting out “story
of the month.”
A circ
room
and ca
Class
Infant Classroom
Informal
Lounge
Transition
Area
Stage
Classroom
Grand Hallway
When children and
families first arrive,
concrete “rumble
strips” at the entrance
ell children when their
hicles are turning into
parking lot. Rumble
s are also near the
door for children
anes.
Light Room
children’s
Sibling
Care
FVA
Ex
adults
Work/Art
Room
Children’s Kitchen
and
Dining Room
Siblings of infants
and toddlers look
forward to playtime
with Miss Belinda.
Kitchen
Literacy
Ro
Features optimal
lighting sources
and high
contrast to use
vision in play.
Preschoolers enjoy
lunch in their own
special dining room
and “cook” and
“clean up” in a
kitchen that is just
their size.
The perfect place
to create, get
messy and then
clean up!
Exposure t
begins in t
Braille Roo
Braille Trai
Sensory Garden
This serene garden features meandering
trails, fragrant plants, dry streambed,
little bridge, water sounds and sculptures
by Susan Grant Raymond.
Gazebo
A whimsical circular path
tricycling that features the Bra
numbers using survey
A landmark structure of Anchor
Center’s building, the Gazebo offers
sky above, sand below.
cle-rug
for sharing
aring.
Another
getaway for
parents and
families.
sroom
Miss Louanna
embosses children’s
books and other
materials with Braille.
Braille Office
Informal
Lounge
Benjamin’s Niche
The east wall of
the Motor Room
has colored
glass and nooks
and crannies
for children to
explore.
VA and Eye
xam Room
adults
Kaleidoscope
Discovery
Wall
children’s
Kaleidoscope
Slope
Sensory Gym
to reading
the Literacy/
om.
We check children’s
functional vision
and pediatric
ophthalmologists
provide eye exams.
for strolling or
aille alphabet and
y markers.
The fun of the
Kaleidoscope
Discovery Wall
continues
outdoors on
Kaleidoscope
Slope with its tiny
little benches and
grassy knoll.
Motor Room
y/Braille
oom
il
This sensory classroom with
special acoustics is the only
classroom with a hard wood
floor. The wood floor resonates
more than linoleum-type floors
in the other classrooms. The
sensory classroom is designed
for children who are especially
sensitive to external stimuli. It
makes learning less stressful
and more focused.
Tree
House
This movement
room focuses on
sensory integration
activities.
Tap dancing on a bright red
wood floor; running, jumping,
scooting, rolling and crawling
on a soft rubber floor.
Cane Walk Lane
Children learn to navigate different
pathway materials and textures —
concrete, bricks, wood, flagstone, curbs.
Sunflower Garden and Greenhouse
The garden has a misting feature for sensory play in all seasons. This special
corner of the nature playground also has wheelchair-accessible blue picnic tables.
Capital Campaign/Building Committee
Linda and Ron Branish
Honorary Capital Campaign Co-chairs
Wendy Clayton and Lexy Pfeifley
Capital Campaign Co-chairs
Mary Jones
Sally Roberts
Mary Rogers
Cheryl Dutton
Alice Applebaum
JC Greeley
Sheila Galatowitsch
Appreciation
Thank you to Anchor Center for Blind Children’s
Board of Directors — past and present.
Your dedication to Colorado’s blind children
and your fiscal responsibility over 25 years
paved the way for this unique teaching facility.
Recognition
Thank you to Anchor Center for Blind Children’s
staff — past and present.
Your love and expertise have impacted the lives
of hundreds of children who see life differently.
• Aidan in the Grand Hallway, 2007
clockwise from top:
• Travis and Justin learn to use the Braille writer, 1993
• Zach and his grandparents, 1993
• Uriah rides his tricycle on Braille Trail, 2007
• Nathan at the Kaleidoscope Discovery Wall, 2007
• Kishia and Brianna ride the swing in the old Motor Room, 1989
• Diego crosses the bridge in the Sensory Garden, 2007
• Adrienne and her dad, 1998
• Maddie, preschool class of 2006
2550 Roslyn Street
Denver, Colorado 80238
303.377.9732
anchorcenter.org
above: Gazebo on the nature playground
on the cover: building photo courtesy of Forest City Stapleton, Inc., Sensory Garden sculpture by Susan Grant Raymond