/ 2019 National Philanthropy Day Presentation of Awards
Business Philanthropist of the the Year –
Bank of Estes Park The Bank of Estes Park, and specifically CEO Tim Hull, has become a powerhouse of support of the nonprofit community in Estes Park. Tim acts as Chairman of the Board for Estes Park Medical Center Foundation, serves on the Northern Colorado Community Foundation, on the board of Bright Christmas, and raises funds each year for the junior golf program. Bank of Estes Park has become the only bank to participate in the Estes’ 1% Gives Back program. Tim has overseen the creation of a program to encourage and match employee contributions to local nonprofits; he writes and delivers over $10,000 annually in unsolicited grant funds from a bank-related donor-advised fund to local nonprofits. Tim responds to needs before being asked. He encourages tremendous giving of time, treasure and talents from the bank as well as its employees. Tim is impressively turning this small local bank into one of the largest supporters of nonprofits in the Estes Valley. Amy Hamrick (R) of Kind Coffee, former Business Philanthropist winner, presented this award to Tim (L). |
Enduring Service Award –
Kathy Littlejohn Katherine Littlejohn has served the Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies for over 20 years and been a major organizer for the annual Fine Arts and Crafts Festival. She also serves as producer of the plays in the Guild's Youth Theater Camp. She is passionate about offering arts experiences for youth and truly believes that the arts play an essential part in the vitality of Estes Park. Kathy taught in the Park School District and was a critical force behind getting Kids Café to come to Estes Park. Kathy created a series of supervised learning activities to follow lunch so parents had a nearly 2-hour window of free childcare. When the program grew, Kathy pushed for the Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County to offer a day-long summer program. Kathy also worked for years creating and producing the 8th grade career day for the students of the Estes Park Middle School. Ludie (L) and Bob Dickeson (R), former Enduring Service winners, presented this award to Katherine (C). |
Katie Speer Philanthropist of the the Year –
Diane Shriver Diane Shriver is the President of the Estes Valley Library Friends & Foundation. She has been the lead volunteer, donor, thought leader, cheerleader and stabilizing force behind the creation of Cliffhanger Used Books. She came to her role as president of the foundation when books sales, which had provided the basis of fundraising support since the 1960s, faced the possibility of ending altogether. Diane has given her time, creative ideas and money to building a stronger foundation. She has done an outstanding job of recruiting new members, creating teamwork and mutual support. She has been instrumental in the success of Cliffhanger - from cleaning floors to organizing books and working shifts as a cashier. Cliffhanger Used Books opened in April 2019. The building is already paying for itself through the three residential apartments on its upper level, which are available to help recruit and retain talented library staff. Kristen Berg (R), previous Katie Speer Philanthropist of the Year, presented this award to Diane (L). |
Youth Philanthropist of the the Year –
Jennifer Johnson Jennifer Johnson has served as a student aide for two years. Her strong work ethic, cheerful demeanor, and academic excellence make her a leader. Jennifer acts as the BAM Co. (Business, Accounting and Marketing) Chief Executive Officer, which is a student run philanthropic corporation at Estes Park High School. She spent countless hours of her summer break creating BAM’s new on-campus coffee shop and student lounge. Grant writing, ordering materials and organizing student teams in remodeling the shop space are but a few of the tasks this talented young woman oversaw. She is a natural leader and truly an entrepreneur at heart. This talented young lady is also a fixture on competitive sports teams. Her leadership and prowess on the athletic field garners her recognition and respect from peers and coaches alike. She volunteers her free time coaching youth sports teams. Lydia Pita (R), previous Youth Philanthropist, presented the award to Jennifer (L). |
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Who is Katie Speer? |
In honor of the memory of Katie Speer, the Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center hereby designates its annual award, “The Katie Speer Philanthropist of the Year Award,” effective 2014, and for all years hereafter.
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Katie Speer was instrumental in the founding of the EPNRC, and for many years served as a member of its Board of Directors. An outspoken advocate for the causes and organizations she espoused, Katie was a strong leader, putting her actions behind her words. She was a gifted writer, and demonstrated time and again her skills at writing successful grant proposals that benefited dozens of nonprofit organizations in the Estes Valley. Her perceptive ability to seek out and secure funding for organizations was legendary: untold thousands of dollars were thus channeled to Estes Park charities and nonprofits, enabling them to achieve their missions to serve others.
On behalf of the EPNRC, Katie acted as fiscal agent for many fledgling organizations, enabling them to get a foothold toward financial sustainability.
Katie’s selfless service on behalf of others earned her, among other recognitions, the “Citizen of the Year” award from the Town of Estes Park.
It is fitting, therefore, that the Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center designate its annual award to recognize the value and importance of philanthropy in our community as the Katie Speer Philanthropist of the Year Award in memory of her steadfast commitment to the spirit and achievement of philanthropy.
2014 EPNRC Board
On behalf of the EPNRC, Katie acted as fiscal agent for many fledgling organizations, enabling them to get a foothold toward financial sustainability.
Katie’s selfless service on behalf of others earned her, among other recognitions, the “Citizen of the Year” award from the Town of Estes Park.
It is fitting, therefore, that the Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center designate its annual award to recognize the value and importance of philanthropy in our community as the Katie Speer Philanthropist of the Year Award in memory of her steadfast commitment to the spirit and achievement of philanthropy.
2014 EPNRC Board
