Angels Among Us
Each month, The Castle Pines Connection features a different Douglas County nonprofit with the goal of introducing our readers to various organizations and ways they can help. For everyone who contributes in any way, no matter how large or how small, we recognize that you make the difference.
Here are the featured stories.
As the year ends, we are reflecting on the hopefulness that is all around us. In 2024, we featured 11 nonprofits in our Angels Among Us segment. These organizations, and…
The League of Women Voters (LWV) was started in 1920 by leaders of the women’s suffrage movement as a nonpartisan, activist, grassroots organization believing voters play a critical role in…
Emily Davenport is passionate about wildlife. As a certified wildlife rehabilitator with nearly two decades of veterinary experience, she recognizes the importance of having relationships with others in her field.…
The arts are about to take full bloom in Castle Rock thanks to the Tri Arts Project (TAP). Initially established in 2022 as Rock the Arts, TAP used 2023 to…
There is a peacefulness as your cross the cattle guard at the Lowell Ranch on Plum Creek. It sits on 168 acres of beauty and purpose about 12 miles to…
On Saturday, August 10, the fourth annual Pitchers and Patriots: Honoring the Brave (Pitchers & Patriots) cocktail hour will be hosted at Haven in the Pines from 5:30 p.m. to…
Service. Honor. Sacrifice. Emotions swell when thinking about veterans and all they have given for our freedom. A local nonprofit, Rocky Mountain Honor Flight (RMHF), has been taking vets…
In the quaint town of Sedalia sits a historic little building and grounds, the Sedalia Museum and Gardens (SMG). Getting to know this special place is like taking a…
Just to our north at Colorado State University’s Flint Animal Cancer Center (FACC), researchers are on a mission to conquer cancer in all species and believe cures for pets…
Angels Among Us The Douglas Land Conservancy (DLC) was established by community members in 1987 over concerns about unsustainable growth. Since then, the…
Douglas County nonprofit, It’s A Calling Foundation (IACF), was founded to provide mental health and wellness support for emergency responders, frontline medical workers, service members, veterans and the families who…
The strength of the human-canine bond is one for the ages. Dogs can instantly inspire a smile and provide hope and happiness. Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) is a national…
As 2023 comes to a close, we reflect on the strength and hope that is all around us. For the past seven years, our Angels Among Us segment has featured…
Honor Their Sacrifice. Educate Their Legacy. That is the beautiful mission of Folds of Honor (FOH), a national nonprofit organization started by Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, dedicated to providing educational…
When a service member retires from the military, evaluations are made on mental and physical health to establish a barometer of disability for pensions and compensations. For some veterans going…
About 18 miles southwest of Castle Pines, sits The Random Ranch (TRR), a beautiful place for animals of all kinds to live out their remaining years in glorious form. Amy…
Suzanne Wexler has put her stamp on Douglas County and Colorado as a leading champion of help and hope. She originally hails from New York but lived in Chicago for…
On the second Wednesday of the second month of each quarter, a group of guys meet at Lone Tree Brewing Company to grab a beer and combine forces to support…
Located in Denver near I-25 and Alameda sits a very special place, called Women’s Bean Project (WBP). For 34 years, this nonprofit organization has been helping women create a fresh…
Catherine Ojala’s story began years ago in Liberia, in western Africa. At age 3, as she and her family faced civil war, they escaped north to the country of Sierra…
March is gender equality month, so fittingly this month’s Angels Among Us features Together Women Rise (RISE), whose mission is to cultivate the collective power of community to achieve global…
There is a place in downtown Parker that is a home away from home for the 50+ community. The Parker Senior Center (PSC) is a membership-based nonprofit organization that…
As the year draws to an end, we reflect on the good that surrounds us. In 2022, we featured eleven Angels Among Us stories, highlighting nonprofits that are using their…
Behind the brave men and women who serve our country are countless loved ones. When the unthinkable happens to a service member, no matter the…
Everyone has a story: the person in line at the grocery store, the person driving in the next lane, the person in the crosswalk, friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. The…
Paul Dannels was quite simply a good man with a gentle spirit. For 34 years, he served as the district manager of The Village at Castle Pines Metropolitan District, earning…
In 2005, Diana Higuera came to Colorado from Venezuela to study international and intercultural communication at University of Denver. Her plan was to come for her education, but she met…
The simple act of meeting for lunch twice a year to celebrate each other’s birthdays has kept two sorority sisters connected since their days at Indiana University. In the past…
A mom’s mission to educate about marijuana It’s been two and a half years since Johnny died; he was just 19 years old. The pain and grief are still raw…
Dennis Smith has a gift for bringing people together. A fourth generation Coloradan, he cares deeply about the state as well as local communities and the country at large. He…
gives hope to children and families here and everywhere By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Beth Woods Hope’s Promise creates hopeful journeys through pregnancy support, adoption services, orphan care and…
Article and photo by Elean Gersack June Everett and Laurel Gebhard are community heroes with huge hearts. A little over two years ago, Everett was experiencing career burnout and decided…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos by Terri Wiebold HomeAid Colorado (HAC) is a local affiliate of HomeAid, a leading nonprofit developer of housing and programmatic facilities for those who are experiencing…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard Every month for the past six years, The Connection has featured a different nonprofit organization with ties to the Castle Pines community. The goal behind this…
serves up coffee, goods and lots of joy By Elean Gersack; courtesy photos Wellspring Community (Wellspring) has been a constant source of hope and joy in the Castle Rock area…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos Sedalia-based Mattersville Veterans is a community that provides sustainable housing and healing programs for veterans. Through their unique Pack Healing Experience which integrates the lives…
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos Although Megan Mathis is a local, her work and passion are 9,000 miles away. She is co-founder of RiseUp Malawi (RUM), and her organization is…
inspire next generation of animal advocates By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Nature’s Educators Almost everyone can recall when they were introduced to a subject at just the right time…
Horses take the lead on path to healing By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of the Equine Partnership Program The advent of equine-assisted therapy has brought renewed confidence and healing to…
Foundation honors boys’ legacy, love of baseball By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Gameday Baseball More than 20 years after a tragic accident took the lives of two young brothers…
Dads celebrated for year-round contributions By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Dads of Castle Rock A grassroots group of philanthropic Castle Rock dads is being celebrated on more than just…
Family raises awareness about the disorder By Chris Michlewicz A Surrey Ridge couple’s quest for information and help for their son’s complex medical condition has been aided by a small…
volunteers help find them homes By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Jen O’Connor Massachusetts has the Boston terrier as its official state dog and Maryland has the Chesapeake Bay retriever.…
Volunteers provide hope for those with mental health struggles By Chris Michlewicz A small army of volunteers from Douglas and Arapahoe counties is helping those with mental health struggles find…
Helping those with disabilities find their path By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Arc Thrift Stores A new donation station in the City of Castle Pines helps a nonprofit that…
advocates for kids during toughest times Article and photo by Chris Michlewicz When the worst of the worst happens to a child, there’s a team dedicated to getting them justice…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard For the past five years, The Connection has featured a different nonprofit organization with ties to the Castle Pines community in our Angels Among Us segment.…
Veterans use long-distance walks to lift each other up –and bring attention to PTSD By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Josh Emer Play was stopped mid-game on a baseball diamond…
Neighborly chat leads to $50,000 grant By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation A conversation between neighbors in Glen Oaks set in motion a chain of events…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Colorado is unfortunately no stranger to mass gun violence, and from 2016 to 2019, the state…
Article and photo by Carin R. Kirkegaard Mental health – the emotional, psychological and social well-being of an individual has always been important, particularly among youth and veterans. Robin’s Nest…
Colorado is known worldwide for its picturesque outdoor living. Whether white water rafting down river rapids, camping in remote areas, mountain biking rocky trails or riding horses through beautiful vistas,…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard, courtesy photo Homelessness is a prevalent, growing and evolving issue. For those individuals experiencing life on the street, there may be a stigma of prejudice and…
Lifeline for struggling youth By Carin R. Kirkegaard May is Mental Health Month. Nearly 450 million people across the world are currently living with a mental illness. One in six…
Training to overcome poverty By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Erin White Homelessness is quite often equated with urban living. Tent cities under bridges and panhandlers on street corners…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Steve Blatt Numerous studies show that introducing music into the lives of children is beneficial. From improving IQ levels to increasing happiness, music…
Healing little hearts By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of J.C. Heinen New Year’s Day 1975, J.C. Heinen gave birth to her daughter Jessica Renee. Jessie was born premature with…
Offering dignification By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of One Good Turn Driving around the metro area it is not uncommon to see someone at a street corner holding…
for Children and Operation Santa By Carin R. Kirkegaard The holiday season, for many, is met with joy and anticipation, and perhaps a dose of stress. Across the Denver metro…
and Memorial Day Flowers By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Memorial Day Flowers It has been said that Veterans Day is for the living and Memorial Day is for…
Providing a Sense of Security By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Grant Oakes October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation,…
Random acts of kindness By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Meghann Guentensberger After a terrible tragedy, the Guentensberger family made a decision that they hope will have a ripple effect…
Peaceful future grows through ShesCHERIshed By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of ShesCHERIshed It is the kind of thing most people think couldn’t happen to them or someone they know, but…
Dogs looking for forever homes By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of the Mellor family As any dog lover can tell you, underneath all that fur, beyond their love of people…
Teens supporting teens By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of The Happy Crew A smile and a kind word from a friend can brighten anyone’s day, but when teens need extra…
SECOR ensures students have Food for Thought By Elise Brassell Remember during your school-age years, that feeling of excitement as the last few minutes of Friday afternoon ticked away before…
Resources and education for older adults By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Aging Resources of Douglas County Age is just a number, but as that number changes, the mental and…
Connecting mothers, daughters and community By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of National Charity League With a family calendar full of birthday parties, school events, holidays, graduations, practices and much more,…
Making a house home By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Home Builders Foundation When people have accidents, illness or other events happen in their lives that suddenly leave them physically…
Christmas for Kids event supports children in foster care By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of James Dewhirst Photography Four years ago, friends Tom Vieregger and Kuntal Vora had an idea…
By Elise Brassell Each month, The Connection profiles a different nonprofit organization that is active in Douglas County through our Angels Among Us column. From caring for animals, to teaching…
On a mission Article and photo by Elise Brassell About one and one-quarter million Americans have type 1 diabetes (T1D), an auto-immune disease that strikes suddenly regardless of diet or…
Bringing students of all abilities together By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Special Olympics There’s something special about the bond between sports teammates, forged by struggling together through wins and…
Caped crusaders at large in the community By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of The OathKeepers What do Chester Cheetah, Mr. Peanut and a high school mascot all have in common?…
By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Dumb Friends League Walking through the Denver Dumb Friends League Buddy Center (Buddy Center) feels like visiting a community center where the love of…
Building youth leadership skills through acts of service By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Eden Mendrala It is often said that leaders aren’t born, they’re made, and many great leaders…
A tale of adversity turned into a vision, then action By Patte Smith, courtesy photos Several years ago, Susan and Pat Mooney jumped in “boots” first to establish a safe…
Giving locally matters By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of the Douglas/Elbert Task Force When donating to a nonprofit organization, sometimes it can be hard to know whether the help is…
Boasting 47 years of making a difference Article and photo by Barbara Neff Their motto used to be, “not your grandparents’ senior center,” but since opening in 1971, Castle Rock…
Cultivating the arts By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo by Lynn Zahorik In 2009, the Castle Pines Arts and Cultural Foundation (CPACF) began as a committee to help establish a library…
Cultivating future leaders By Lynne Marsala Basche During her high school years in South Dakota, YouthRoots founder Lacey Books participated in a basic leadership program. When Books was out of…
Community service for children By Lynne Marsala Basche In 1915, Kiwanis International was founded by a group of businessmen in Detroit, Michigan with a mission to “empower communities to improve…
Heroes in all shapes, sizes and species –By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Friends of Douglas County K-9 In 2011, David Swieckowski, Angela Sanders, Terry Barnhart and Kim Vanderholm…
By Lynne Marsala Basche At the beginning of 2016, The Castle Pines Connection began its Angels Among Us segment with a belief that nonprofit organizations strengthen our community along with…
By Lynne Marsala Basche You may be struggling. Someone you know could be suffering. In fact, one in five adults and adolescents will be diagnosed with a mental health issue…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of NASA Traditionally, the Angels Among Us segment features a different local nonprofit each month. With the many recent natural disasters, such as Hurricanes…
Focus on student success By Lynne Marsala Basche Arapahoe Community College (ACC) opened its doors in the mid-1960s, and by the early 1970s, a foundation was formed to host events…
Providing homes to rescued cocker breeds By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of RMCR In 2009, Douglas County resident Kathryn Glass founded RMCR after volunteering for other rescue organizations and…
Connecting people to agriculture By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of CALF In 2002, lifelong Douglas County residents and ranchers John and Bea Lowell saw the tremendous pace of growth…
Horses find hope and homes By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DDFL Chances are high when people hear about the Denver Dumb Friends League (DDFL), their thoughts immediately turn…
Be a hero to a hero By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Nick Lucey When the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation (DCVMF) began, the organization’s mission was to promote…
Revealing history and keeping it alive By Lynne Marsala Basche Imagine triggering the 1858 Colorado Gold Rush by finding gold flecks in Cherry Creek and the Platte River. Think about…
Parenting Ph.D. By Lynne Marsala Basche Raising a child is difficult. While challenges may change with the times, if you are a parent, grandparent or a caregiver to a…
Called to help – By Lynne Marsala Basche One of the many benefits of living in Douglas County is the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. The open space and trail…
Giving now for generations to come By Lynne Marsala Basche The Douglas County Libraries (DCL) system has always played a vital part in its communities and has been fortunate to…
By Lynne Marsala Basche In 1999 Deputy Ronald King was killed by a drunk driver when he and his partner were returning from an assignment. At that time, Douglas County…
Smiles change lives By Lynne Marsala Basche Can a smile open doors, inspire self-confidence and create a ripple effect of goodwill in a community? The 501(c)(3) Smile for a Lifetime…
Building a basis for excellence By Lynne Marsala Basche Readers may not be aware of the DCEF, but chances are high they have taken advantage of their services. For the…
Here to help and serve By Lynne Marsala Basche Alcohol, social media, bullying, drugs, sexting – these are just some of the challenges that students face today. It can be…