News
Article excerpt by Michelle Hurni for the Estes Park News.
To read the full story, click here and see the story on page 14. We would like to thank Michelle Hurni for writing the article and the Estes Park News for running it in it’s March 1, 2019 edition. Thank you as well to the Bee Sew Brave group with the Longmont Quilt Guild and the Estes Park Mountain Shop.
This list was created by Estes Park EDC Vice President Adam Shake and the purpose of this list is to support federal employees during the 2018 government shutdown by creating a clearing house of offers and services to federal employees who are being financially affected by the shutdown. You can view the list which is being constantly updated at www.facebook.com/groups/ResourcesForFederalEmployees/.
Some of the offerings or services found on this list or in the Facebook Group may not align with the federal employee code of ethics and the administrators of this list and group accept no responsibility for any such offerings or services. All federal employees are responsible for their own acceptance of any offerings or services posted here.
Airbits LLC says “To ease the burden on our customers who are affected by the government shutdown, please bring your government-issued ID to us for free Internet for as long as the shutdown continues. We want to be the last thing you worry about. The Airbits Team.”
Affinity Massage & Wellness Center says that RMNP might be closed, but they aren't, and they would like to help our community members who are being affected. 30-Min appts - 20$ and 60-Min appts - 40$ (with Gov't ID) please call them at 970-586-3401.
Alpine Bank is offering interest-free personal loans equal to a worker’s monthly pay (even for federal employees who are not customers).
Antonio’s Real New York Pizza has donated a revolving gift card that will provide food for furloughed federal employees in need. You can add to it and they will keep it going until the funds run out or the needs diminish. Ask for a “Help from Friends” order at 970-586-7275. To donate funds, call the same number.
For AT&T customers affected by the shutdown, the company says they are eligible for flexible payment options to keep their phone service up and running. Contact AT&T for details
Big Red F Restaurant Group (The Post Brewing Co., Jax Fish House & Oyster Bar, Centro Mexican Kitchen, West End Tavern and Zolo Southwestern Grill) is offering free weekday lunches to furloughed workers beginning Monday, Jan. 14.
Chase Bank says it will waive or refund any overdraft and monthly service fees for customers who are furloughed government employees.
Colorado Railroad Museum is providing free admission to furloughed workers and their immediate families.
Country Market says "All of us at The Country Market are seeing firsthand the effect the government shutdown is having on our town’s park employees. They use to come in every day, some of them a couple of times a day. Our little store has been a ghost town without park people coming in. So with that being said, we would like to extend store credit to anyone affected by the government shut down. Employees may come in and shop and not pay us back until the shutdown is over and you catch back up. This is credit with no interest added to it. We hope this helps in some small way."
Credit Union of Denver and Sunwest Educational Credit are offering payment deferrals and interest-free loans.
Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park says "Ever since the government shutdown, Crossroads has been offering groceries once a week to federal employees. Beginning this week we are offering to assist in a deeper way with one-time financial assistance to go directly toward housing and utilities. Food can be given out by simply showing a government ID. Financial assistance will involve scheduling an appointment with our Case Manager. If you've been affected by the shutdown and need a helping hand, then stop by our office. If you'd like to support this cause, then visit our website and make a donation. www.CrossroadsEP.org . We are committed to journey with our government workers as long as needed to get through this challenging time."
Denver Art Museum is providing free admission to furloughed workers and one guest each.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science is providing free admission to furloughed workers and one guest each.
Elevations Credit Union is offering “skip-a-pay” on loans for customers in good standing. Interest-free personal loans equal to a worker’s monthly pay are also available.
Erick Stensland’s Fine Art Photography says “Are you a furloughed national park employee? To show our appreciation of what you do and the difficulty of this time, stop by the Images of RMNP gallery and pick up a free 2019 Rocky Mountain National Park calendar (while supplies last.) Alternatively, stop by Rock Cut Brewery or Kind Coffee in Estes Park to pick up not only a free calendar but a free drink as well. Please know that you have the support of your community.
The Estes Park Village Thrift Shop will help furloughed employees in any way that they can. Contact them for details.
Fazoli’s and all its locations are offering a free “pizza baked spaghetti” with the purchase of a drink until Jan. 20.
Four Mile Historic Park is providing free admission to furloughed workers and their immediate families.
Joe and Mary Jo Heyen would like to offer up to eight $25 Safeway gift cards for those families on furlough. Private message either Joe or Mary Jo on Facebook for pick up details (bring along your government i.d.)
Lucha Cantina is offering various free meals to furloughed workers. Contact them for details.
Kind Coffee says that Furloughed Government workers, of which our community has many with our backyards of Rocky Mountain National Park and U.S. Forest Service-Arapaho & Roosevelt Natl Forests and Pawnee Natl Grassland can come in and get a FREE coffee drink! A couple of our customers have provided a gift card in support. And grab a 2019 calendar from Images of RMNP’s Erik Stensland’s Fine Art Photography, a gift from Erik himself. *While supplies last.
Rocky Mountain Health Club says any furloughed federal worker is free to take any of their classes for free. Just bring some documentation of your status and sign their waiver then bleed some stress away!
Marison Project, Inc. will provide free pre-made meals to anyone who needs them. They simply need to email Marison Project@gmail.com, or call 563-343-8395.
Metrum Community Credit Union is offering interest-free personal loans equal to a worker’s monthly pay.
A new Temporary Mortgage Assistance Program will offer financial assistance to homeowners who are facing hardship due to unexpected changes in their employment status – including furlough, temporary layoff or significant reduction of hours worked. The program, being offered through a partnership with Mile High United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center, will provide households up to two months or $5,000 maximum of help to cover mortgage payments. The Program will begin accepting applications on January 16 through Mile High United Way’s 2-1-1 Call Center.
Papa John’s is offering two one-topping pizzas and a 2-liter soda for free.
Rock Cut Brewing Company is supporting our neighbors and friends who are employed by the federal government (especially Rocky Mountain National Park employees who give so much to our community's incredible "backyard"), by buying them a beer or two during the shutdown. Come on in and let them know you saw this post.
The Roost says "Come in every day if you want, we’ve GOT you! Free Lunch for Furloughed Government Employees"
Impacted government employees can apply for Verizon’s "Promise to Pay" feature, which allows customers to set up a future date to pay a bill.
Walnut Café is offering free breakfast to furloughed workers.
YMCA of the Rockies is inviting Federal workers and their families to enjoy a day of recreation and a meal – on us! One free day pass per family member gets you each access to our on-site activities and a meal in the Aspen dining hall. Visit any day of the week and pick up your day pass at the front desk of the Administration building. Must show an Estes Valley address and Federal employment ID. Offer available as long as the furlough is in effect.
You Need Pie! Is offering discounts to furloughed workers. Contact them for details.
Flinch Forward, a US Military Veteran and First Responder organization recently donated over $2,000 dollars to the Estes Park American Legion Post 119 Building Repair Fund.
Flinch Forward President Adam Shake presented a check to American Legion Post Commander Loren Shriver earlier this month, saying that in his twenty years of working with veterans organizations, the relationship between these two organizations is the most cohesive that he’s experienced. Shake continued by saying often times, organizations become silo’d and cut off from some of the needs of the people they are trying to serve. “That’s why is so important for us to work together,” Shake said. “The demographics of the members of organizations are different, but they also overlap. When we work together, we amplify our voice and serve the larger community.”
More information on Flinch Forward can be found at www.flinchforward.org
An Intimate Dinner with Estes Park’s World War II Veterans
Please join Flinch Forward and American Legion Post 119 at An Intimate Dinner with Estes Park's WWII Veterans. This will be an unforgettable, once in a lifetime evening where we will be honoring and giving tribute to our Greatest Generations Heroes
The date of this honorary dinner is December 7th, 2018, the 77th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day, at Mama Roses Restaurant from 6 to 8 pm.
Unfortunately, less than 3% of the heroes that served in WWII are still with us today, and it's expected that we will lose another 85% of them in the next five to seven years. So this truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in the same room with them for an evening of honor and fellowship.
Tickets are limited and cost $50.00 each Each ticket includes your place at the table and plated dinner with one of our 12 remaining WWII Veterans who will all be in attendance. Your ticket helps to pay for the Veterans' dinner as well as each one of their chaperones.
Adam Shake, Ken Zornes, and Dick Life will be your Masters of Ceremonies and will offer a brief introduction of each of the 12 WWII Veterans in attendance as well as their bios.
WWII Veterans in attendance include:
Les Foiles - US Navy
Harry Livingston - US Navy
Mary Livingston - US Army
Don Corey - US Navy
Rey Olson - US Navy
Nita Raines - US Navy
Bob Brunson - US Navy
Jim White - US Navy
Don Gallup - Army Air Corps
Harvey Beishman - US Navy
Stan Jones - US Army and
Robert Jacker - US Army
Seating is limited so please purchase your tickets early and reserve your place at the table.
If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring this event or you have any questions, please contact Adam Shake at ashake@flinchforward.org. All proceeds help pay for the event as well as supporting programing and services for Veterans and First Responders through Flinch Forward and American Legion Post 119. For more information on these organizations, please visit www.flinchforward.org and www.esteslegion.org
Thank you for joining us for this special event!
The Estes Park American Legion Post 119 and Flinch Forward would like to invite you to join them on Tuesday 9/11/18 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the Estes Park American Legion in remembrance of the 2,983 men, women and children who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001. We will also be honoring our local veteran and active duty military, firefighters and police officers. An honor guard will be present and there will be a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims.
American Legion Commander Loren Shriver, Estes Valley Fire Protection District Training Officer Paul Capo, Estes Park Police Department Captain Corey Pass and Flinch Forward Board Member and US Navy Reserve Commander Kendra Ryan will be speaking on behalf of their organizations.
The events of 9/11 affected each and every one of us profoundly and in different ways. It’s been 17 years since that tragic day, but we will always live in a “post 9/11” world. 9/11 continues to impact the way we live our day to day lives. Everything from the way we travel to the way we conduct security and our military operations have been forever changed.
Please join us for this special event, and let us never forget.
Flinch Forward is a new Estes-based organization for military veterans and first responders who are ready, willing and able to serve each other and their communities in times of need. Members of the Flinch Forward Executive Board are either veterans, currently serving military members or first responders. Several have extensive experience working with those who have experienced physical and unseen injuries, as well as post-traumatic stress. These injuries often result from their commitment to “flinch forward” towards danger in service to their country and communities. Flinch Forward was born from the belief that men and women of purpose must give back, both to heal after injury, and to satisfy the warrior’s innate requirement for service.
The organization was started by local residents who realized that when their tours of duty ended, their missions didn't. Jeff Johansson, a Vietnam Veteran, believes that “Every warrior has a next mission. We know that the transition to civilian life is a journey. And for every warrior, family member, and caregiver, that journey looks different.” Johansson continued “We are here for their first step, and each step that follows. Because we believe that every warrior should have a positive future to look forward to. There's always another goal to achieve, another mission to discover and another way to Flinch Forward. We are their partner in that mission.”
Flinch Forward members agree that serving others is an integral part of wellness. Several Board members have been working with veterans and wounded servicemembers for many years. They have seen how those who successfully develop rich lives of wellbeing and purpose are those who accept the consequences of their experiences and choose to look forward and outward, not repressing their experiences but learning the important lessons therein and accepting the lifelong continued mission of serving others where and how they can. The Board sees the need around us and believes it’s time for an Estes-based response to that need.
Although brand new, Flinch Forward is planning a full spectrum of activities and services for and by its members, from challenging, healing expeditions ascending peaks in the mountains, to seminars and exercises which explain and encourage a warrior approach to obstacles and service, to community-service projects that provide an opportunity for members to live looking “forward and outward.”
Adam Shake, former Army Special Forces, explains: “We are not a “vacation model” nonprofit. We are dedicated to providing an ongoing mission to warriors, a way of life that reflects our core beliefs in service, camaraderie and unrelenting personal growth.”
The Flinch Forward team looks forward to offering services that include transitioning into a civilian workforce, post traumatic success development, paths to leadership and mission-forward opportunities like working with area nonprofits, search and rescue training and team building.
For more information on Flinch Forward, or to donate/volunteer, go to https://www.flinchforward.org/join-or-support/ or contact Adam Shake at ashake@flinchforward.org.
Flinch Forward, an organization for Veterans and First Responders would like to invite the Estes Park community to join them for a Community Pig Roast at Elkins Distillery on Saturday, June 30th. The festivities start at 2:00 and go on until the last plate of pork barbeque has been served!
Military Veterans or First Responders who sign up for a $22.00 membership or Supporters who sign up for a $25.00 Support Battalion membership will get a plate of roasted pork, two slider buns, choice of barbecue sauce, and a side, absolutely free! Plates are normally $8.00 each. You’ll also be able to sign up to win a free Flinch Forward T-shirt.
Flinch Forward is an organization for Military Veterans and First Responders who are ready, willing and able to flinch forward in times of need. Board Member David LaSalle says that Flinch Forward was born from the belief that men and women of purpose, must give back. “We have no choice. We were forged in the warrior values of purpose and mission and that purpose and mission is who we are, not what we do.”
The organization was started by local residents Adam Shake, David LaSalle and Jeff Johansson who realized that when their tours of duty ended, their missions didn’t. Johansson says “Every warrior has a next mission. We know that the transition to civilian life is a journey. And for every warrior, family member, and caregiver, that journey looks different,” Johansson continued “We are here for their first step, and each step that follows. Because we believe that every warrior should have a positive future to look forward to. There’s always another goal to achieve, another mission to discover and another way to Flinch Forward. We are their partner in that mission.”
Speaking about Flinch Forward’s organizational model, Adam Shake said “We are not a vacation model nonprofit. We are dedicated to providing an ongoing mission to warriors, a way of life that reflects our core beliefs in service, camaraderie and unrelenting personal growth.” Shake continued “This is why Flinch Forward is unique - members give back to their communities while forging a lifelong support network. Supporters of Flinch Forward support those who support them.”
Before even getting its 501c3 designation, the organization has already garnered interest from other Veteran and First Responder nonprofits from Colorado Springs to Cheyenne and looks forward to offering services to include transitioning into a civilian workforce, post traumatic success development, paths to leadership and mission forward opportunities like working with area nonprofits, search and rescue training and team building opportunities.
Flinch Forward’s Founding Board of Directors include:
Flinch Forward is currently meeting with people who would also like to be on its Founding Board of Directors. If you are interested, would like to learn more or become a member or supporter, please visit www.FlinchForward.org.
The organization is looking forward to a public meet-and-greet with its board of directors in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
Our website went live on May 21st and this is where you'll find all of our updates and news. Our first order of business is to finish recruiting our Founding Board. More news to come!
