AROUND TOWN: El Pomar Foundation honors nonprofits and individuals at Night of Excellence | Lifestyle
Nonprofits and individuals were honored for accomplishments in their fields with a Night of Excellence dinner at Broadmoor’s Colorado Hall on Oct. 23.
Honorees were selected by El Pomar Foundation from nominees around Colorado and treated to a night of congratulations and standing ovations.
Awards for Excellence has a 35-year tradition that follows the historic local philanthropy of El Pomar founders Spencer and Julie Penrose.
“These awards are a meaningful way for us to highlight remarkable organizations and individuals for their exceptional service and commitment to the people of Colorado,” El Pomar President and CEO Kyle Hybl said.
“Their stories are inspiring and the ways they innovate, collaborate and overcome challenge is noteworthy.”
One award went to a woman who “embodies the community involvement, leadership and service to other women” of Julie Penrose. The award was started in 2020 by El Pomar trustees on what would have been her 150th birthday.
Recipient of the 2024 Julie Penrose Award, who also received a $10,000 grant to a nonprofit of her choice, was Lucille Echohawk. She is a citizen of the Oklahoma Pawnee Nation and a resident of Colorado. Her life advocacy is in child welfare for American Indian and Alaska Natives. She co-founded Native Americans for Philanthropy, Denver Indian Center, Inc., Denver Indian Family Resource Center, Pawnee Evening Star Fund and Native American Housing Circle and was a 2023 Denver International Women’s Day honoree.
She gave her $10,000 award grant to Denver Indian Resource Center. Called “a warrior,” she quietly asked guests to “raise up our beautiful state and our beautiful people.”
The organizations honored were Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver, Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center in Trinidad, and CASA of the 7th Judicial District in Montrose, each of which received a $30,000 grant.
Food Bank of the Rockies: Metro Award for Excellence: CEO and President Erin Pulling said she accepted the award “for all of us who make this work possible.” And they do it, she said, “because every family should have food to thrive.” Food Bank of the Rockies was founded in 1984 and in 2023 provided 66 million meals for more than 367,000 individuals in Colorado and Wyoming. It has 800 hunger-relief partnerships including Care and Share Food Bank and is credited with helping create more than 70 mobile pantries. Food Bank has 20,000 volunteers. Pulling’s call to action for guests was to “Ignite the power of community by nourishing them.”
Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center: Rural Award for Health: The late Jay Cimino and his wife, Emily, of Phil Long Enterprises in Colorado Springs founded Mt. Carmel, one of their early philanthropic projects in their hometown of Trinidad, in 2006. The Trinity Community Foundation was founded and purchased the then-vacant church Jay’s family had attended, added another building and created the nonprofit Mt. Carmel Wellness and Community Center, which was given to the community. Daughter Gina Cimino said the greatest need in Trinidad was health care and the wellness area Salud provides “mind, body and health” at low cost or no cost. Gina described the whole center as “one big family, that’s what it is.”
CASA of the 7th District: Rural Award for Excellence: CASA is the voice of the child when there are legal issues. This CASA nonprofit in Montrose and the San Juans has added to its programs for children and youth of all ages with a new housing project, Village of the San Juans, housing and community for emancipating at-risk youth leaving the foster system. Adding to the community aspect, there will be senior citizen housing. Carlton Mason said the goal is “a caring relationship and how to get the youth the next step. When someone believes in you it changes your life.” The hope is to create a model housing program for rural areas, said Mason.
Individuals honored for lifetime achievements and outstanding contributions to the nonprofit sector were Kathleen Merritt and Paul Major. Nominations rotate annually between Pikes Peak and Denver Metro areas and nine rural regions.
Kathleen Merritt: Leadership and Service Award: A Telluride resident, she had worked for 21 years in child care and early childhood development. Then, as executive director of Bright Futures for 10 years, she is “dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in the seven counties in the San Juan Region,” increasing program support by 160%. Her $10,000 award grant went to Bright Futures.
Paul Major, El Pomar Trustee Award: For going above and beyond with unprecedented impact through philanthropy. From the greater Telluride area, Major founded the Telluride Foundation in 2000 and with him as CEO for 22 years the foundation offered generous support to charitable organizations. His final year the foundation distributed more than $3 million in awards and grants with the needs of rural communities a top priority. As board member for Paradox Community Trust and manager for Rural Homes, he “works to address the needs of rural communities who lack the necessary resources to thrive.” Major shared with guests that he believes “nobody wants to live in affordable housing. They want to live in a home, in a community. We need to get back to that.” His $10,000 award grant went to Paradox Community Trust.
