August 2009 e-Community

Dear Friends,

Before coming to Community Shares of Colorado, I worked in the Family Reunification Program for the Denver Department of Human Service. The City of Denver runs a tremendous giving campaign annually called the Denver Employees' Combined Campaign. At a staff meeting, I was introduced to the campaign succinctly, "This is the employee giving campaign. You don't have to do it." With that call to action, it became just one more pile of papers I could file away.

Later that afternoon my coworker Vicki took a few seconds to be a giving ambassador. She said to me, "Can I tell you a little bit more about the giving campaign? I think it's a great program. I can give as little as $5 a paycheck and it adds up to make a big difference. I choose to give to Denver Dumb Friends League because that's where I adopted my dog but you can give to any charity you want. Take a few minutes to look and see if you would like to give." Those five sentences - no guilt or pressure involved - changed my outlook on the campaign and I picked up a pen and made a donation.

This year, we are making a special effort to partner with more Giving Ambassadors like Vicki. Sign up to be an ambassador and be a special part of our 2009 Giving Campaign. While the person you talk to may not become the CEO of a workplace giving fund (the job is taken, thank you!), you may inspire a new donor. Be a Giving Ambassador and help us spread the word that every dollar makes a difference at Community Shares of Colorado.


Alyssa Kopf
CEO, Community Shares

PS If you thought the story was too good to be true, notice Vicki chose a nonprofit that isn't a Community Shares member agency. If Vicki had given to The Gathering Place, that story would be on a bronze plaque on my door!