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Golden has a number of organizations that
exist to help others in the community. The Christian Action Guild is
supported by many local churches and service
clubs. They maintain a food pantry and
recycle toys, furniture, and clothing so that
things that one Golden family no longer needs
can be used by others who can use them.
The group was headquartered for many years in an
old house on 14th Street. A few years ago,
thanks largely to the generosity of the late
Barbara Foss, they were able to construct a new
building, made specifically for their needs.
The building stands at the corner of 14th and
Ford Streets. Clients come to the Christian
Action Guild through referrals from doctors,
school employees, social workers, police, or
clergy. If you need help, please tell
someone familiar with your situation (doctor,
school principal, etc.) and ask them to refer
you to the Golden Christian Action Guild. The
Christian Action Guild can always use food, and
is also happy to accept toys, clothing, and
furniture in good, usable condition. They
also need money, as they sometimes provide rent
assistance for families with temporary financial
distress. The Golden Civic Foundation was formed about
25 years ago, to provide private funding for
worthy causes that didn't fall within the city's
budget. Over the years, the Foundation has
contributed to most of the city's parks, paid
for a new sprinkler system in the Golden
cemetery, and given lots of money to the local
schools and scout troops. In recent years,
they have contributed a great deal of support to
the public art program that has resulted in so
many bronze statues around town. They also
provided financial support to the downtown
revitalization movement that began in the early
1990s. They have purchased several vacant
properties and found people to redevelop them,
including the former Holland House (now the
Table Mountain Inn) and the former Golden High
School (now the American Mountaineering Center).
The Civic Foundation makes the money that it
redistributes through their annual auction,
generally held in early November. Local
businesses and individuals donate some
fascinating merchandise, trips, restaurant
meals, nights in local hotels, etc., and auction
attendees bid for them. The foundation board
then responds to grant requests from the local
non-profits. Grant requests are due in
September and the grants are distributed at an
annual breakfast in December. See the
Civic Foundation's
web site for a grant request form and the
list of local museums, schools, cultural
organizations, and other groups that received
financial assistance from the Foundation this
past December. If you are affiliated with
a Golden-based non-profit, please consider
submitting a grant application next September. The Rotary Club makes significant
contributions each year to the Golden Christian
Action Guild, including food that is collected
each week at club meetings. The club also
gives several merit-based college scholarships
to graduating Golden High School students.
They occasionally receive requests for other
types of special assistance, such as students
who have the opportunity to participate in a
special study project, but need help with travel
expenses. When their budget allows, the
Golden Rotary will often contribute some
financial support to such endeavors. If
you have a special need, contact the Rotary Club
through their
web
site. The Lions Club supports local projects for
civic improvements. As an example, they
constructed the public restrooms in Parfet and
Lions Park, as well as the ones downtown, near
Meyer Hardware. When they can, they also
support local individuals who come to them with
worthy causes. Contact the Lions through
their
web site if you have a special need.
The Kiwanis Club sponsors several youth
activities, including a service club at Golden
High School and a local Boy Scout troop.
They are also responsible for the hundreds of
flags that decorate the city on several national
holidays, the annual Easter Egg hunt in Parfet
Park, and serving breakfast to the participants
in the Relay for Life cancer fund raiser.
Like the other service clubs, they are sometimes
able to help with special needs and
projects. Contact them through
their web site if you have a proposal for
the Kiwanis. |
