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BGV Gives Prepares for the 8th Annual Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk

Back for the 8th year, the Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk is quickly approaching on June 10th! Help us kick off the summer with this fun and family friendly event at Carter Park.

The 8th Annual Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk promises a lineup of activities that will put a smile on your face! Lace up your shoes and choose your path: a 5k trail run, a 5k trail walk, or a leisurely 1-mile town walk. Every participant and volunteer will be treated to morning snacks, a heart-healthy lunch, an event t-shirt, and a commemorative gift. But wait, there’s more! There will be live entertainment and prize giveaways, including a chance to win a 7-night vacation with Interval International.

Since 2016, the Heart Health Walk has been an incredible force for good in the Summit County Community, raising an astounding $1,185,000 to date! From after-school programs to CPR/AED training, and backcountry rescue, this event supports initiatives that truly change lives. Because Breckenridge Grand Vacations covers all costs associated with the event, 100% of your ticket or donation will go straight to local Summit County nonprofits.

Three Ways You Can Help:

  1. Register or donate today.
  2. Sign up to volunteer.
  3. Spread the word! Share the Heart Health Walk Facebook event with your audiences.

Enter Code BGVGIVES for $5 off your ticket registration

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BGV’s Earth Week Events Inspires Sustainability and Environmental Awareness

At BGV, we believe that sustainability goes beyond being a mere buzzword; it’s a lifestyle. This is why we were thrilled to host Earth Week for our entire staff this year! From April 21st-28th, employees had the opportunity to attend a series of events focused on sustainability and environmental awareness.

We kicked off the week by teaming up with the High Country Conservation Center for a “Bust the Recycling Myths” event, which helped to dispel common misconceptions about recycling and provided guidance on how to recycle more effectively. This was a fun and interactive event that bounced from property to property and helped increase employees’ awareness about the importance of proper waste diversion. This event put an emphasis on spelling out what happens to recyclables in Summit County once we put them in the blue bin.

One of the highlights of Earth Week was a facilities tour and presentation by Breck Create. This year, we partnered with Precious Plastic, a world-renowned organization that specializes in turning hard to recycle plastic waste into new products. Their demonstration showcased the innovative ways that plastic waste can be upcycled and inspired us all to think more creatively about reducing our plastic usage. BGV employees were lucky enough to see the whole process, from hard to recycle plastic like sleds and patio chairs transformed into carabiners, coasters, earrings, and even a skateboard.

Finally, we hosted a presentation on home energy audits, which provided practical tips for reducing energy use and saving money on utility bills. This was geared towards both homeowners and renters, and it provided a number of resources including rebate opportunities for energy savings upgrades. This presentation was a great reminder of the many ways that we can all make a positive impact on the environment in our daily lives, even through simple and easy changes.

We were thrilled to see such enthusiastic participation from our employees during Earth Week, and we hope that these events will inspire all of us to continue to prioritize sustainability in our personal and professional lives. Together, we can make a difference for our planet and ensure Breckenridge remains unchanged for future generations.

Learn More

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FIRC Launches Night Out Event With Brad Montgomery on June 9th

Join the Family & Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) for their largest fundraiser of the year! Debuting this year, the FIRC Night Out will take place on June 9th at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge.

This year’s event will feature Brad Montgomery, who specializes in using humor, interactivity, sound, music and visuals to ignite audiences so that they can use happiness as a tool to improve their lives and their jobs.

Family and Interculture Resource Center Development Director Sarah Grant shares, “FIRC Night Out is a chance to connect with community, to laugh, and to give back in a meaningful way. FIRC served nearly 10,000 local workers and families in 2022 through FIRC’s four main program areas: Community Food Markets, Financial Empowerment, Community Health, and Behavioral Health and Wellness. Every donation and dollar raised helps FIRC to continue to meet the increased demand for services in Summit County.”

As a Gold Level sponsor for the event, BGV Gives will host the FIRC Night Out Cocktail Hour from 5:30 – 6:30m. Purchase a ticket today! Your support will help FIRC raise critical funding to support local workers and families in accessing resources needed to thrive in our community.

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Park County Creative Alliance leader Ann Lukacs honored with CCI Leadership Award

Governor Polis and the  Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) recently announced this year’s recipients of the Govenor’s Creative Leadership Awards, an annual award program which recognizes Coloradans who have demonstrated a significant commitment to the state’s creative landscape through civic leadership and volunteerism.  President of the Park County Creative Alliance (PCCA) and longtime Park County local Ann Lukacs is one of the 2023 recipients!

Ann was recently certified a Colorado Change Leader by Governor Jared Polis for exceptional community development efforts. As part of her certification, Lukacs created the PCCA, a nonprofit arts alliance dedicated to uniting Park County through the arts. Since December 2018, PCCA has united local artists, delivered educational workshops, created the Art Adventuring in Park County map, launched a successful annual Pass Notes event, and more.

Ann is being awarded the Arts and Community Action Award, which is presented to individuals that have demonstrated selfless service and inspired others to take action or catalyze change in their community using the arts. Artist, photographer, cinematographer, small business owner, and nonprofit board member, she continues to be dedicated to preserving and advancing arts and culture in Colorado and in her community.

“The Governor’s Creative Leadership Award recipients embody the remarkable ways in which arts and culture impact Coloradans’ lives and our communities. Each has made a unique contribution to Colorado, and we are thrilled to recognize their achievements,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.

The awards will be presented on June 1, 2023 at the Colorado Creative Industries Summit to be held in Crested Butte.

Learn more about Ann’s career and the good work of the PCAA at parkcountycreativealliance.org.

Read the full, original press release that includes the list of all 2023 award recipients here.

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Breckenridge Grand Vacations Wraps up 2022 with Nearly $1.4 Million in Community Support

Breckenridge Grand Vacations and BGV Gives recently announced $1,393,770 in support for the community in 2022. The grants represent both cash and in-kind support, such as sponsorships, grants, volunteer time, lodging donations and more.

With a strong focus on philanthropy, Breckenridge Grand Vacations celebrates an impactful 2022, including a successful RAM Heart Health Walk, 4,500 hours volunteered by employees, and a personal gift of $1,000,000 from Mike and Anna Dudick towards Family & Intercultural Resource Center’s Sol Center.

Reflecting on his family’s donation to the Sol Center, Breckenridge Grand Vacations Chief Executive Officer Mike Dudick shares, “The Sol Center will be a wonderful and necessary resource in our community.  We feel fortunate to play a small part in making this dream a reality.”

Tara Dew, BGV Gives Program Manager, adds “Philanthropy is a top priority for Breckenridge Grand Vacations. From the company’s executive leadership to our newest hires, every day BGV employees reflect what it means to build community and give back to those around them.”

Rounding out Breckenridge Grand Vacations’ 2022 philanthropic funding was the announcement of its fall and spring grant awards, totaling $537,000 for 61 organizations serving the Summit and Park County communities.

BGV Gives awarded grants addressing six focus areas: health, human services, education, art and culture, environment, and sports and recreation. With a commitment to supporting organizations across the community, the selected grantees provide valuable contributions to the quality of life in Summit County, from sustainability initiatives, to support for preschools, food banks and more.

Jen Schenk, High Country Conservation Center’s Executive Director, remarks, “Grant funding is critical for High Country Conservation Center to further our mission to reduce waste and conserve resources in Summit County. Support from BGV Gives allows HC3 to focus on our core programs and helps us leverage support from other funding partners around the community.”

In addition to program and general operating support, Breckenridge Grand Vacations was pleased to provide a significant capital grant towards construction of the new Silverthorne childcare center.

According to County Commissioner Elisabeth Lawrence, “A capacity shortage in local preschools is one of Summit County’s top issues, for families and for our workforce. This new childcare center is a huge step in the right direction, but it will require collaboration across sectors in the community. We are grateful to have Breckenridge Grand Vacations as a partner.”

Grants from Breckenridge Grand Vacations are awarded through BGV Gives, a philanthropic program created to support local nonprofit organizations through fundraising, sponsorships, grants, volunteering, and in-kind donations. Focusing on health, human services and education sectors, BGV Gives funds capital projects, special event sponsorships, programs, equipment, scholarships, educational materials, and general operating support, among other needs.

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SOS Outreach Pairs Mountain Sports with Mentorship for Local Youth

Since 1993, SOS Outreach (SOS) has cultivated a deep sense of belonging in kids and teenagers, unlimiting their future potential and impact on our world. SOS engages local youth from Summit County while operating programs at Keystone and Breckenridge. SOS uses a unique combination of mentorship and winter sports to deliver a progressive curriculum that creates a sense of purpose and belonging for youth, fosters self-regulation through social and emotional learning skill development, and fosters ethical decision-making. In partnership with Summit County schools, youth are recruited for programs in 4th grade and progress through high school to develop critical social and emotional learning skills: relating well to others, understanding and managing feelings, responsible decision-making, and social responsibility. The mountains are the catalyst for creating opportunities on and off the hill. In Summit County, over 20 local community mentors help make SOS programs possible. SOS is a gold badge partner of Mentor Colorado for consistent excellence in the delivery of mentor programming.

 

“All the skills that I obtained during my time in SOS have opened so many doors for me—in the form of leadership skills, networking opportunities, and even a discovered love for volunteer service. I will always hold on to these skills wherever I go. SOS taught me that sticking to your core values can take you a long way in life.” – Andrew Reynolds, recent program graduate

If you’d like to impact youth in your community, please consider donating or volunteering to support SOS!  To get involved in a volunteer or mentor capacity, please reach out to Alison Canavan, Senior Colorado Program Manager, at acanavan@sosoutreach.org or visit https://sosoutreach.org/get-involved/“

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Tara Dew joins Breckenridge Grand Vacations as new BGV Gives Program Manager

Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV) is pleased to announce that Tara Dew is joining the newly created Community Impact Department as the next BGV Gives Program Manager. This new department further embraces BGV’s triple bottom line, which encompasses people, planet, and prosperity.

Dew comes to this position with a wealth of experience, having served for five years at The Summit Foundation (TSF) as a Program Coordinator initially, then Program Manager and most recently as Program Director. Previously, Dew spent three years at St. Anthony Hospital in the role of Community Health Advocate followed by a promotion to Senior Community Health Advocate after her first year. Her professional career also includes a summer with AmeriCorps in Austin, Texas and two summers with Rustic Pathways in Costa Rica and various countries in Southeast Asia. Dew’s departure from TSF is “bittersweet,” said TSF Executive Director Jeanne Bistranin. “We are so happy for Tara and this new opportunity, while also sad to see her leave. The good news is that we will continue to work very closely with Tara, especially regarding our golf tournament and the BGV Gives Program. We wish Tara all the best and thank her for her excellent work at The Summit Foundation!”

Dew will begin her new role with BGV in early December, at which time job training will commence with retiring BGV Gives Program Manager, Deb Edwards. “I could not have wished for a better opportunity or better company to work for to end my 43-year career in Summit County. No day is ever the same at BGV Gives,” said Edwards. For a brief time, Edwards will continue to be available to support Dew and BGV Gives, as needed.

Edwards started as a part-time clerk typist at Colorado Mountain College in 1979 and worked her way up through almost every position available to become the Director of Community Education in Summit County. In 1985, she became the first Executive Director of The Summit Foundation, a role she held for 21 years, followed by the first Chief Development Officer for the Summit Medical Center Health Foundation.

“BGV Gives was my dream job. I am grateful to Mike (Millisor) and Mike (Dudick) for allowing me the privilege of taking this legacy to Rob (Millisor) and the Breckenridge Grand Vacations philanthropy program to new heights. I am confident that Tara will successfully continue this important and unique work,” Edwards continued. “I have always said that I never worked a day in my life. Being involved in these four community organizations has never felt like work, but rather pure joy. I am grateful to every colleague, donor, volunteer, community, and board member who I had the pleasure of ‘working’ with along the way. I am looking forward to spending more time with friends and family, travelling, volunteering and simply enjoying Colorado. But most of all, having more time with my only grandchild, Harper. And of course, visiting Summit County now and again to enjoy all this community has to offer.”

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Join BGV as we do our part for World Cleanup Day!

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

World Cleanup Schedule

9:00 a.m.
Meet at the Blue River Plaza

9:10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
World Cleanup Happening 

11:30 a.m.
Make your way to The Boot at Grand Timber Lodge for a cookout and prizes

EMAIL EKIMMEL@BRECKGV.COM TO RSVP BY SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

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