Isaac Worked Instead Of Attending Recent Broncos Game

This blog post came to us in an email from Chris DiRosa, Site Supervisor at the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont. Thanks to Chris for sharing this neat story. Chris is on the right in the picture presenting the award to Isaac.

Pictured on the left is Isaac Marin, the Assistant Site Supervisor at the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont, receiving the Imagine! Innovations department's Heroic Award for his above and beyond service to the residents. Isaac was forced to miss a recent Broncos game against the San Diego Chargers due to a direct care immediate need and placed his service to others above his own plans. Isaac is a great asset to the team, and an example of fantastic servanthood to the community we serve. 

Isaac Marin, on the left, receiving his award from Charles Family SmartHome Site Supervisor Chris DiRosa.

Charles Family SmartHome Residents Meet Former Denver Bronco

This blog post came to us in an email over the weekend from Chris DiRosa, who is the Site Supervisor at the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont. Thanks for sharing this with us Chris.

*Note:  KaRon played for the Denver Broncos for three years, and he scored his first touchdown, a 24 yard run, in the year 2000 during the last game at the old Mile High Stadium in Denver.  That year he carried the ball 54 times for 183 yards.

Toby, Wesley, and Stacey got to attend a special message presented by retired Broncos Running-back KaRon Coleman at New Horizons Christian Church. They stuck around after to chat with KaRon about the upcoming Super Bowl and even got autographs and a copy of his book! It was a super fun day for residents and staff both!!! 

In the front are Toby (on the left) and Stacey.  Behind them are KaRon (left) and Wes.

Mandy And Shannon As Twins

This blog post came to us in an email from Chantelle Tweten, the Site Supervisor at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder. Shannon is the Assistant Site Supervisor at the home and Mandy is a resident.

Mandy and Shannon kept this a secret all day until Mandy came home from her day at CORE/Labor Source. I was working at my desk and when I turned around I saw TWINS. They went shopping at Macy's and got matching outfits. Shannon and Mandy both like to dress up. 

Shannon on the left and Mandy on the right. Fun twins!

Lana Chosen To Give The Governor Her Artwork

This blog post came to us in an audio email from Lana, who is a resident at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder. One of Lana's pieces of art has been selected to be given to Governor John Hickenlooper when he attends Imagine!'s annual fundraiser, the Imagine! Celebration, next Friday, January 24th. When we get a photo of her art we will post that on another Imagine! Voices blog post.


Hi, this is Lana. I have some good news for you. I get to meet the governor of Colorado. I’m going to give him one of my paintings. Bye.

Lana in her backyard at the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder.

 

Jessica's Has A New Job And A New York Vacation Planned

Today's blog post came to us in a phone call from Jessica last week. Coincidentally, there's a lot that's "new" in her post.  New Year's Eve, new job, plans to visit New York, and going to a hockey game with the New York Islanders playing.

Hi, 

I stayed up late on New Year’s Eve. I drank a beer, some at 10:00 (midnight New York time), some at midnight our time, and then finished it at 1:00 am (midnight California time). I was thinking of friends and family.

I’m going to New York for my birthday, and hopefully to a Yankees game on the July 26th or 27th. I checked out their schedule already.

I started my new job Friday at Amcon, working with foam. I’ve got something else interesting to tell you. I’m going to the Islanders and Avalanche game Friday night. I’ll wear my Islanders hat and Avs shirt so I can cheer for both teams.













 

Imagine! Donation Helps Haiti Orphans

Today's blog post came to us in an email from Christopher DiRosa, who wanted to share the good news that an Imagine! donation had make it's way to Haiti and was being used in an orphanage for children with special needs.



Christopher DiRosa (pictured below in the red shirt), Site Supervisor at the Charles Family SmartHome in Longmont, shared this fun and impactful stuff that Imagine! was recently able to take part in. In October, Imagine! donated medical supplies and a stander that Christopher was able to take to a special needs orphanage in Haiti. Equipment, like standers, are very few there and the equipment donated by Imagine! continues to make a big impact on the quality of life for that community!!


Christopher told us, “I was able to use much of the training acquired through my time with Imagine! to help with physical therapy and partnered with folks from Colorado to build and equip wheelchairs for those who were able to get their first wheelchairs ever. It was a fantastic time and Imagine! was a large part of the success.”

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John Enjoys Sending Audio Emails

This blog post came to us about 10 minutes ago in an audio email from John. He is becoming very skilled at sending audio emails to his friends and family. We enjoy receiving these emails because John is always so positive and considerate. 

I will gladly pass on any comments anyone has about John's ability to send audio emails and his willingness to take the time to send them. He also checks out these Imagine! Voices blog posts, but I'll make sure he sees any comments posted.  Thank you.

Hey Gary, I want to thank you for the picture of me and Kelsey in that Coal Creek Bowling Alley. I really enjoyed looking at it. I just want to tell you hi. I hope that your holidays went well. I want to wish you a happy 2014, and a happy Friday to you. I want to wish you a happy, good weekend. If you’re outside tomorrow, please stay warm. Otherwise, have a good nice weekend. I’ll talk to you soon. All right, bye bye.

John and his housemate Lana, both Bronco fans.

Aneta Shares How Her Dad Prevented A Train Derailment

This blog post came to us during a visit to Foothills Group Home. Aneta shared a story about her dad preventing a train derailment, and she showed us a newspaper article with all of the information about her dad and his heroic, quick thinking actions. The following was taken from the newspaper article, which appears to be many years old but it didn't have a date on it.

"William Randolph is a candidate for a Carnegie Hero Award. He prevented a derailment of the Royal Gorge passenger train near Castle Rock, when a flash flood sent a wall of water and sand over the bridge as the train approached. He ordered an assistant to place a seven foot cross cut saw across the rails to throw a red block for the approaching train."

Note:  We did a Google search to try to find out why laying the crosscut saw on the railroad tracks created a "red block" for the approaching train.  It is possible that having the metal saw touching both rails at the same time set off the red light for the approaching train so it knew to stop. To anyone with railroad knowledge, it would be appreciated to get more information on this by commenting here or emailing gstebick@imaginecolorado.org.  Thank you.

Aneta with her boyfriend Robert and the news article about
her dad preventing a train derailment.