It takes a village to support a community

Estes Valley Voice Podcast

How businesses, nonprofits and volunteers connect to benefit Estes Park youth
Story by Dawn Wilson
Over the years, some locals referred to Estes Park as Estes Village.

In the early days of the town’s history, the village would refer to the town center, a few blocks of stores and services that would support the regional residents making a living as guides, ranchers and proprietors of shops and lodges.

Because of the remoteness of the valley, with limited access points up rough routes that could barely be described as roads, the locals supported each other in time of need and as community members throughout the year.

That tradition of community support continues today in Estes Park.

National Philanthropy Day is celebrated on Nov. 21 in Estes Park. Each year, the Estes Nonprofit Network hosts the event to celebrate the generosity of local businesses, individuals and non-profits who make selfless commitments throughout the year for the benefit of local community members. During the event, awards are given for Youth, Business, Enduring Service, Katie Speer Individual Philanthropist of the Year, and the Shavlik Nonprofit of the Year.

The recognition given to awardees stems from the generous donations of time, money, and initiative for their efforts to create strong spokes of the community wheel.

One such example of the efforts being provided in Estes Park highlights the work the Estes Park Mountain Shop, Kent Mountain Adventure Center, and the Estes Park Education Foundation do to support the students of the community.

“It is really a benefit of the wide variety of the community, which is our community as well regarding our patrons,” said Zack Zehr, owner of the Estes Park Mountain Shop and a board member for EPEF. “Lately with all of our small special event promotions, it is really easy to put it back into the Education Foundation because that goes to youth and the outdoors, and it is a very local piece.”

Some of the events held in Estes Park that benefit Estes Park youth include Pumpkins and Pilsners each October and the recent airing of The Devil’s Climb at the Historic Park Theatre. The movie showing sold out on both nights, with all proceeds, including ticket sales, food and beverage sales and a donation jar, being donated to the Education Foundation.

Upcoming events to benefit EPEF include a wax night to smooth out the skis on Dec. 6 at the Mountain Shop, an airing of the ski film Calm Beneath Castles coming up on Dec. 7 at the Historic Park Theatre and the highly anticipated Estes Park Ski Jor event Jan. 25 and 26.
Read full story here:
https://estesvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/20/it-takes-a-village-to-support-a-community/