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Breckenridge Grand Vacations Supports Holiday Giving Programs

For the eighth year, Breckenridge Grand Vacations employees and departments stepped up to support our community during the holidays by supporting the Rotary Club of Summit County Adopt an Angel program and the community Adopt a Family program through Mountain Mentors and Summit County Department of Human Services.

Now in its 29th year, the Adopt an Angel program served 771 children from 375 families in 2021. The Silverthorne Pavilion was transformed into a toy and clothing factory where thousands of gifts were given to pre-approved families and children. Santa’s helpers were on hand to spread cheer and help families select and gift wrap their gifts.

The Adopt a Family program matches BGV departments and individuals with identified families in the community needing some extra support during the holidays. Twenty-two departments and 16 individuals and families provided hundreds and hundreds of gifts and grocery store gift cards to 32 families with 119 family members this year. Additionally, 21 gifts were donated to the Adopt an Angel program. Special thanks to the BGV staff who shopped, wrapped gifts and helped to transport all the gifts to Frisco for distribution to the Summit County families.

Breckenridge Grand Vacations takes great pride in supporting these programs and helping to spread holiday cheer by putting smiles on the faces of our local families. We wish all our colleagues, friends and families a happy, healthy and prosperous 2022!

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Saving Lives…One Pint at a Time!

For the second time this year, Breckenridge Grand Vacations employees, along with a few community members, stepped up to support Vitalant by donating 32 units of blood from 28 volunteers in October, including four first-time donors.  And four people not only donated whole blood but also donated red cells.  On average, every unit of blood can save up to three lives.

Every day in the United States, patients in hospitals, surgical center and emergency treatment facilities need approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells, 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma.

The BGV Blood Drive dates have already been selected for 2022.  Mark your calendars now for April 27 and October 4.  More detailed information and the link to sign up for an appointment will be sent about a month before each donation day.  Hope to see you there.

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Recycling Beverage Cartons Made Easy

“It’s no secret that people struggle with recycling correctly. As responsible consumers, we find ourselves trying to do the right thing but sometimes, this leads to “wish-cycling.” Unfortunately, wish-cycling can contaminate entire recycling loads that are otherwise clean. It’s very important that you check local regulations where you live and any time you travel and wish to recycle or compost. Each town has a unique set of requirements for items that are accepted in various waste streams. Here in Summit County and in many vacation destinations, recycling and composting loads become contaminated more easily. Think about it – you have people from all over the world with different waste diversion efforts and requirements coming to a place with a totally different set of rules. It’s extremely important to make sure our signage and other education efforts are up to date and residents and visitors alike are staying informed of changes. Recently, our list of accepted items in the single stream recycling has changed and we are no longer able to put cartons in the single stream collection.  

 

This does not mean egg cartons; but instead, juice and milk cartons. These items are made with paper but have a unique plastic lining inside. Some even contain a layer of aluminum. Because of these two linings, it raises unique challenges for traditional recycling. However, these cartons are still recyclable! They are now collected separately at our recycling drop sites around the county. Be sure to look for the “Cartons” sign on the dumpster! They are then sold to businesses that can properly give them a new life. In fact, once these cartons are sold and pressed together in a machine like a large panini press, they become ceiling tiles or a drywall alternative. The High Country Conservation Center reports that 30 cartons can make a 2-foot square ceiling tile!  

 

When recycling cartons, it’s important to know exactly which types of cartons can be recycled. Cartons with slanted tops like milk, creamers or egg substitutes are recyclable. Cartons that have a flat top like broths, soups or wine are also recyclable. These cartons typically have a straw or plastic cap. Cartons that are not recyclable are oatmeal containers, ice cream tubs or coffee cups. Before disposing of cartons into the proper dumpster, be sure to take off all caps and remove straws as these can get tangled in the recycling equipment. You should also be sure to rinse cartons before recycling.  

 

Should you have any questions on what is and is not accepted in the Single Stream at all BGV properties or at the drop sites around the county, you can visit HighCountryConservation.org or send our team an email at Sustainability@breckgv.com.

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Eleven Heart & Mind Healthy Holiday Tips

♥ Don’t skip meals to save up for a feast. It will be harder to manage your blood sugar and you’ll be really hungry and more likely to overeat.

♥ Schedule some “me” time every day – a nap, dog walk, reading, or just relaxing.

♥ Break up physical activity into smaller chunks so it’s easier to schedule. For example, walk 10 minutes several times a day.

♥ Visit the people, not the food. Move socializing away from the food table to prevent overeating. Put your focus on family and friends, laughter and cheer.

♥ If you have a sweat tooth, cut back on other carbs (like potatoes and bread) during the meal.

♥ Enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie instead of pecan pie. Even with a dollop of whipped cream, you’ll cut calories and sugar by at least a third.

♥ Choose your splurges wisely. Stick to calorie-free drinks. Alcoholic beverages contribute empty calories and can cause you to make poor judgements with food. Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass of water.

♥ Savor seasonal treats. Having treats once a year will not make or break your weight. Eat slowly and check your fullness levels while you are eating. It takes at least 20 minutes for your brain to realize you are full.

♥ Don’t feel guilty. If you did overindulge, don’t beat yourself up. Just make sure your next meal is healthy and be sure to incorporate exercise into your routine.

♥ Get your ZZZ’s. When you are sleep deprived you tend to eat more and prefer high-fat, high-sugar foods. Aim for 7 to 8 hours per night to guard against mindless eating.

♥ Mind your mind! Find moments throughout the season to practice gratitude, meditate and relish your time. Managing stress is good for your head and heart.

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Summit County Rescue Group Provides Life Saving Services

What do most Summit County residents and visitors have in common? A passion for outdoor recreation. As the county becomes busier every year, both with residents and travelers, the Summit County Rescue Group (SCRG) gets busier too. Despite everyone’s best efforts to be prepared, accidents can and do happen in the backcountry and SCRG’s work begins where the pavement ends.

Established in 1973, the folks at SCRG are 100% volunteers – the rescuers, the mission coordinators, the board members and the fundraisers! In fact, the fundraisers and board members are also the rescuers. The organization counts 63 current active volunteer members. This is a group that shares the same passion for the backcountry that often leads recreationists to become lost hikers, injured mountain bikers, buried backcountry skiers, capsized kayakers, crashed dirt bikers, fallen climbers and wounded hunters. Summit County Rescue Group members are out there because they love the outdoors, and they understand you love it too. In addition to their ongoing training and rescue skills, they must also provide all the time it takes to manage a nonprofit organization. They spend a significant amount of time educating the public on backcountry safety in the hope that everyone becomes better at avoiding accidents, but they know sometimes things happen even to the best prepared and educated back-country enthusiast.

SCRG averaged 88 calls for service between 2014 and 2018. Then, in 2019, that number increased by 164% and rose to 144. In 2020, the Rescue Group responded to 195 calls taking 3,347 mission hours. In both 2020 and 2021, more than 2,400 hours of training time has been spent by SCRG team members. Since mid-October of this year, SCRG has been called out 192 times providing 2,945 volunteer mission hours, making it clear they will easily exceed 200 calls in 2021. This makes SCRG one of the three busiest backcountry rescue teams in Colorado.

Because of the rising need for their services, SCRG launched their first official fundraising campaign in late 2020. Their need for new equipment, maintenance for current equipment, and training for current and new team members is ongoing. The Rescue Group needs your support. Along with many other local nonprofit organizations, SCRG will be participating in the Colorado Gives program this December for the first time. Every dollar raised on December 7th through Colorado Gives Day will be matched, up to $50,000, by The Summit Foundation.

There is never a charge to an individual for rescue services or expenses. All funding is provided from grants and donations. Anyone can donate directly to Summit County Rescue Group on their website at scrg.org/donate. You never know when YOU might need their help one day!

 

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Breckenridge Grand Vacations Donates Land to Summit County Habitat for Humanity

BGV’s Development Team led by CEO, Mike Dudick, donated three parcels of developable land to Summit County Habitat for Humanity. According to Habitat’s Executive Director, April-Dawn Knudsen, the new homes will likely become higher density units for multiple families. All three lots are located within the town limits of Alma, Colorado, a bedroom community for Summit County’s workforce.

The decision to donate the land was a “no-brainer” according to Dudick who also stated, “Housing is the number one request we hear from our employees, and as the largest year-round employer in Summit County, we have to listen and take action. We hope that by donating this land it may inspire others who are in a position to do so, to consider this as well.” Dudick assures that BGV and his team are fervently searching for solutions in addressing the pervasive issue in the community around the affordable employee housing shortage.

Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership Program is for local income-qualified families (<80% AMI) who can apply and be coached from the initial application process through to the loan qualification. Homeowners are selected by; 1) need for quality, safe housing, 2) ability to pay an affordable mortgage, 3) willingness to partner with Habitat. “With the increased scarcity of land and the price of real estate continually rising, ” stated Knudsen, “we don’t typically see land donations like this anymore.” Historically Summit Habitat has built single-family homes but as they have recognized the need to increase density are now exploring multi-family housing options. “We hope to be able to house more teachers, law enforcement, and first-responders – the very people who make our communities thrive.”

Programs like Habitat, which use a deed-restriction method, keep homes affordable for working families over time. “BGV sees this land donation as a faster route to placing families into homes,” says Dudick.

Summit Habitat for Humanity believes that no one lives in dignity until everyone can live in dignity; and when the broader community is engaged in addressing the urgent need for adequate, affordable housing, everyone becomes less vulnerable and more resilient. Knudsen shared, “We are grateful for Breckenridge Grand Vacations’s generous donation. BGV is a shining example of philanthropy and is so generous in supporting every aspect of our community, ultimately making so many lives better.”

To learn more about Summit County Habitat for Humanity or to be added to the list for upcoming housing notifications, please contact April at executivedirector@summithabitat.org or visit http://www.SummitHabitat.org to make a donation and join BGV in expanding local homeownership opportunities.

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