The WMG team frequently reminds its association clients to remember to give back to the greater community to which they are a part of – the Colorado Springs community. To help them accomplish this goal in 2018, WMG initiated a “Give the Gift of Warmth” campaign just before the fourth quarter annual meeting season began. Owners in WMG client communities were invited to bring new children’s hats, gloves, mittens, & scarves to their community’s annual meeting to be donated to needy children in our community. WMG only needed to extend the invitation; the community members responded with such compassion and generosity!
Over 900 pieces, 357 hats, 258 gloves/mittens, 136 scarves/neck-warmers, 123 pairs of socks, 9 coats and 24 pieces of clothing in all, were donated by residents in 27 of 42 participating community associations! The donated items were organized by gender and size and placed in reusable tubs for Colorado Springs School District 2 teachers to match up with children in need of warm hats and gloves! “You wouldn’t believe how many elementary school children come to school every day with only a jacket,” said Randy Rocho of the District. “This donation is going to bless so many children!” Twelve containers of warmth-providing garments were gifted to the School District, each one topped with a shiny silver bow to reflect the gift that each one was. Two decorated boxes were filled with 50 beautiful, handmade hats and matching scarves made by one resident in the Sage Meadows at Wolf Ranch neighborhood. Another collection of hand knitted hats were donated by another homeowner from the Summerset Commons community. The outpouring of love and caring was heart-warming.
Many people included warm socks of all sizes and colors in their donations. Six wonderful children’s coats were received as well. Some warm shirts, sweaters and pj’s fit the definition of warmth as well. These items, along with a healthy supply and hats, gloves, and scarves, were gifted to Mary’s Home at Dream Center, a place where homeless mothers and their children embark on a journey of wholeness and receive needed services. Jeane Turner, Dream Center’s Donor Development Associate, was excited about the impact the donated items would make for the mothers and children that come to the Center. Four boxes filled with soft, colorful garments were delivered along with a couple of other containers filled with goods. One large basket of toddler-size snowsuits, hats, mittens and socks was especially sweet for the Center Moms to select from.
Shortly after the last of the goods were delivered, one more donation came in from the ladies in a book club in The Townes at Wolf Ranch. Their 25 pieces were gifted to a local non-profit called “Special Kids Special Families (SKSF),” a respite care provider for (adults and) children with disabilities, many of them autistic. Linda Ellegard, Executive Director for SKSF said that the gifted hats and gloves would be warmly received at their foster care placement center. WMG delivered Christmas gifts for eight sponsored children at SKSF to help make each child feel loved during the Christmas season.
Each of these donated items were a gift of warmth to a child in our community! Collectively, the 934 items received from clients and WMG staff donations were over-whelming as they were grouped together, realizing the impact that they were going to have. “The hearts of our WMG team members were certainly warmed,” declared Linda Warren, President of WMG. “Together, we made a difference in our community! One of caring and hope for a better tomorrow.”
Special acknowledgement to all of the following communities for their participation, with special recognition to those with ** for “knocking it out of the park” with your generosity!:
Broadmoor Mesa HOA Broadmoor Park HOA **
Broadmoor Resort Community (The) Canyons at Broadmoor HOA
Carriages at Charleston Place Townhomes ** Cathedral Pines HOA **
Country Broadmoor HOA Courtyards at Woodmen Hills HOA
Cypress Ridge Townhomes ** Fairways at Springs Ranch HOA
Falcon’s Nest HOA Greyhawk at Northgate HOA
Palmer Divide Ranches on East Cherry Creek HOA Palomino Ranch Condominiums
Pinecliff Townhomes Pioneer Preserve HOA
Preserve at Briargate HOA Pronghorn Meadows HOA
Ptarmigan Townhomes Sage Meadows at Wolf Ranch Townhomes **
Stonebridge at Meridian Ranch HOA ** Stratton Pines HOA
Stratton Preserve HOA ** Summerset Commons Townhomes **
The Townes at Wolf Ranch ** Townhomes at Claremont
Wolf Ranch Owners Association **