The snow is here!

Record lows are expected again this winter.

Our animal residents need plenty of heat and hay to stay warm. We need to raise $35,000 to cover critical winter expenses.

Giving Tuesday is coming up on November 29th. Our goal is to provide our residents with the absolute best care and warmth they need to survive these harsh winters.

Mark that date on the calendar. You can even start early, and set an example for others to follow.

The first $10,000 donated for Giving Tuesday will be matched by the Richard Reed Foundation, doubling your impact.

We can not do this without you.

Donate HERE Today and Make a Difference in the Lives of our Residents!

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support this Giving Tuesday.

Horizons K8 School in Boulder Colorado will be hosting our18th annual ARTastic Holiday Market this year on December 2 from 11am-2pm. The market will be held in the gymnasium of the school, located at 4545 Sioux Drive, Boulder. This event is free and open to the public.

This year, we will be hosting over 50 outstanding front range vendors. You'll find gifts for any taste, including fiber arts, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, baked goods, soap, skin care, tie dye, and other creative arts. This is an great opportunity to spend your gift dollars with professional local artists, small local businesses, woman-owned vendors, companies that support and contribute to charitable causes, and also several talented youth artists.

In addition to shopping a great selection of artists and crafters, shoppers can purchase raffle tickets to win a gift basket featuring goods from our art vendors and gift cards from a variety of grocery stores, retail stores and restaurants.

Preview vendors on Instagram (@horizonsartastic) or Facebook (@artasticmarket).
25% of proceeds at this event will be donated to support educational programs at Horizons K8.

Whenever drug crimes are mentioned, thoughts of imprisonment and other unpleasant consequences arise. It is likely that you are overwhelmed by the potential outcome of a drug-related criminal charge, such as distributing, possessing, or manufacturing. You should not lose hope despite how bad things may seem at first. Criminal defense attorneys can protect your rights and, in many cases, reduce or dismiss your charges entirely.

Read on to find out more about Colorado's drug crime defenses https://duilawfirmdenver.com/the-best-defenses-for-drug-crimes/

Check the link for an expert defense attorney https://duilawfirmdenver.com/drug-defense-attorney-denver/

NEWS RELEASE: Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary to Showcase Films at International Vegan Film Festival

Three films from Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary have been officially selected to premiere at the Virtual International Vegan Film Festival on November 7-21, 2022. Two of the three films are nominated for awards in the “Animal Advocacy - Short” category.

"The Love Stories of Luvin Arms" (nominated) chronicles six complex, loving relationships between individuals at Luvin Arms. The film demonstrates that animals experience the vast spectrum of love - just like humans. "Love Stories" is punctuated with words from various languages that describe the wonderful nuances of loving relationships. 

"Lucky the Rescued Cow: From Solitude to Serenity" (nominated) tells the incredible story of Lucky, who was destined for slaughter in November 2021. Through his unrelenting pursuit of connection, he saved his own life by inspiring an entire community to come together in one grand act of compassion.

"Ahimsa in Action" is an unforgettable cinematic experience of love, life, and hope – a film about the unlikely founding of Luvin Arms.

"Every rescued animal has a story, and I am honored to tell their stories. I fight for them every single day, and want to make the world a more beautiful place for animals everywhere." - John Burton, Film Maker  

“People connect with stories. Stories inspire transformational change. Film is one of the most impactful ways to tell stories, because it allows us to carefully craft an emotional journey that includes narrative, visuals, and music. At Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary, we have literally hundreds of stories to tell. These three films are just the beginning!” – Emma Schwarz, Script Writer

Based in Ottawa, Canada, the International Vegan Film Festival is a “trailblazing event dedicated to celebrating the vegan ideal: a healthier, more compassionate, environmentally friendly lifestyle that can be achieved through the consumption of plants and animal-free alternatives.”

For more information, please visit https://luvinarms.org and https://ivff2022.eventive.org/films

About Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary:

Luvin Arms is a nonprofit animal sanctuary for abused and neglected farmed animals, located in Erie, Colorado. Luvin Arms provides exceptional lifelong social, emotional, and cognitive care for their animal residents, and advocates for those who have not been rescued by sharing their residents’ stories to inspire, educate, and empower others to embrace a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.

The chances of getting a DUI charge dismissed are very slim. When people come to see us about being represented over a DUI, the significant number of them come with the belief that their DUI is gonna be dismissed. This couldn't be further from the truth. Once the district attorney office charges you for a DUI, it's based on evidence that makes them believe that you may have been drinking and driving. And as a result they aren't inclined to dismissed the charge. There is usually room for negotiating with the district attorney to get an offer for a lesser charge but a dismissal is rare.

Learn more here

For a DUI third offense check this link

Collections Volunteer opportunity

Have you ever visited a museum and wondered what it would be like behind the scenes, getting to handle and interact with the artifacts? Now you can find out!

The Lafayette History Museum has over 4,000 objects that tell the unique story of Lafayette's past, and we need people to help us keep everything catalogued and safe. 

We'll train you in the details of our digital database and how to handle artifacts. All we ask is that you:

• Show up on time and are engaged while you're at the museum
• Are comfortable using computers
• Can work independently, but ask questions when needed
• Are detail-oriented and thorough 

This is a great volunteer opportunity to put on your resume to show that you are thoughtful, detail-oriented, self-motivated, and care about engaging in your community.

Time commitment: At least one, two-hour shift each month. Anytime Wed.-Fri. from 9am-5pm.

If interested, reach out to Chelsea at: info@lafayettehistoricalsociety.org

NEWS RELEASE: The Luvin Arms Gala is Almost Here!

For Immediate Release: August 30, 2022

Erie, Colorado - One of the most anticipated events of the year is just around the corner: the Luvin Arms 7th Annual Gala - Ahimsa in Bloom, held on Saturday, September 10th, from 4:00-8:00pm MST, both in-person and virtually. 

The nonprofit Animal Sanctuary is honored to host this annual event on-property for the first time ever! Attendees will experience the magic of being surrounded by farmed animals, connecting with the heart of the Sanctuary’s essential work.

The Gala itinerary includes:

• An open bar in the Big Barn featuring signature drinks specifically created in honor of the residents of Luvin Arms
• Live entertainment by folk artist Jaime Drake, sponsored by Piante
• A scrumptious plant-based four-course dinner by Three Leaf Catering
• Live and silent auctions, including extraordinary works of art and unique experiences
• A multimedia presentation, including a world-class cinematic experience featuring the Luvin Arms animal residents

All proceeds raised at the Gala will support the Sanctuary’s two-fold mission: to provide exceptional lifelong care for the residents of Luvin Arms, and to advocate for all farmed animals through humane education and outreach.  

The theme of the hybrid event this year is Ahimsa in Bloom. Ahimsa - nonviolence toward all living beings - influences every choice at the Sanctuary. The theme reflects how the seeds of compassion planted by Luvin Arms over the last several years have now blossomed into countless collaborative acts of compassion across the globe.

One such collaboration involves the students of The Springs Continental Schools in India. The young children have recorded a beautiful song in conjunction with Luvin Arms called the Sounds of Ahimsa, which will premiere at the Gala. The song highlights the importance of taking care of animals, the planet, and each other. 

“The seeds of Ahimsa blossom within our hearts when we embrace the sacredness of all life. At the 7th Annual Gala, we are celebrating the power of community to bring about positive change in the world.” - Shartrina White, Executive Director

For more information about the Luvin Arms Gala including in-person and virtual registration, please visit here. 

Check it out: Governor Jared Polis and First Gentleman Marlon Reis share some words about the Luvin Arms Gala here.

About Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary:

Luvin Arms is a nonprofit animal sanctuary for abused and neglected farmed animals, located in Erie, Colorado. Luvin Arms provides exceptional lifelong social, emotional, and cognitive care for their animal residents, and advocates for those who have not been rescued by sharing their residents’ stories to inspire, educate, and empower others to embrace a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.

Contact:

Juli Arnold

Marketing and Communications Manager

juli@luvinarms.org

# # #

With the legalization of medicinal and recreational marijuana use in Colorado, the incidence of DUID charges (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs) is on the rise throughout the state and in Denver.

DUID is similar to DUI: the charged is that your use of drugs (any drugs) has rendered you incapable of properly driving. Also, as is the case with alcohol charges, there is a "lesser" charge of DWAID (Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs), in which case you're alleged to be impacted to the "slightest degree" by your use of drugs.

Some things you should know if you're charged with DUID:

The penalties for DUID are similar to those for DUI: significant loss of money, time, freedom, and reputation (to name a few).

It's harder to test for drug impairment than for alcohol impairment.

You're considered under the influence of drugs if there are at least five nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood in your system... but the blood tests will detect THC levels long after you've ingested marijuana (and long after the drug's effects would have ceased to impair your ability to drive).

The prosecution is counting on your ignorance of the law and the science in a DUID case... don't make their job easier!

Learn more here https://duilawfirmdenver.com/drug-defense-attorney-denver/

Related blog post here https://duilawfirmdenver.com/dui-with-drugs/

A Contagious Type of Friendship that Brought Strangers Together

Loveland, Colorado, July 2022— On July 5, 2018, Brian Perri was reported missing on Mount Meeker, one of the most dangerous mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park, after a selfie revealed his last known location as the summit. Inspired by her son’s role in the search that was covered by news media far and wide, Loveland resident K.V. Fischer penned the recently released Search Beyond Lies, Book One in the Search & Recovery International Series. Though a work of fiction, the book’s inspiration lies in the rare type of friendship her son, J.C. Fischer, and Kimo McEwen had with Brian, where they put their lives on hold and jeopardized their safety and well-being to search for him.

A suspense thriller with a dash of romance, Search Beyond Lies tells the story of the search for a missing scientist, a top-secret project, and a ticking clock. Desperate to find his friend and mentor, James Frankel knows that only former Army Ranger, Charlie Sommer can help him. But how can he trust a woman who’s keeping secrets?

As a former Army Ranger, Charlie Sommers garnered the reputation of having the highest search and rescue success rate, but she’s plagued by the one she left behind. Now she’s on the verge of an exciting new beginning as a part of Search & Recovery International where her secrets are safe. There’s only one problem: the new assignment will take her back to Colorado and the loss that still haunts her.

The clock is ticking down. With their lives¾and their hearts¾at risk, Charlie and James join forces in an attempt to save the scientist and the world from catastrophe while finding the truth beyond lies in this action-packed thriller. It is available at https://amzn.to/3ueVmTO.

K.V. Fischer is an attorney, speaker, and published author with more than 20 years’ experience in the corporate, government, and private sectors. Although she is extensively published in nonfiction, with one book and more than 100 articles (the majority of which were ghost-written), her passion has always been writing suspense thrillers. Search Beyond Lies is the first in the Search & Recovery International Series and her second suspense thriller.

For more information, please visit www.kvfischer.com.  

NEWS RELEASE: Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary Invites the Public to Its First-Ever Farmed Animal Enrichment Day

For Immediate Release:

August 2, 2022

Erie, Colorado – Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary will host an inspiring and educational Farmed Animal Enrichment Day on August 27, 2022.

The Sanctuary invites the community to participate in this special behind-the-scenes look at how the humans and nonhumans of Luvin Arms speak a common language.

Many in the community are familiar with positive reinforcement clicker training as a popular technique that pet parents use to reward the behavior of their canine companions.

Luvin Arms established its own clicker play program in 2021, developing Individual Enrichment Plans for each of its farmed animal residents. Just like dogs, each species at Luvin Arms - from chickens to cows to sheep - easily learns clicker play skills! The Luvin Arms clicker play program introduces skills that are fun and engaging for the residents, providing them with agency to engage in their daily cooperative care needs. This also builds trusting relationships between the residents and their partners, and teaches the residents skills that come in handy for situations like haltering and boarding a trailer for a trip to the vet.

The Luvin Arms Enrichment Day will include an informative talk by Behavior Consultant, Janna Dewey of Behavior Vets Colorado.

Janna will discuss:
*how to apply positive reinforcement to different species
*the science of behavior change
*how enrichment positively impacts animals
*ideas for enrichment activities
*where to start when experiencing behavioral problems

The day will also include clicker play demonstrations between several of the Luvin Arms animal residents and their volunteer enrichment partners, as well as creating environmental enrichment toys for the residents.

“By learning about clicker play - how it enriches the lives of our residents - and viewing clicker play demonstrations, visitors will begin to relate to the residents in similar ways they relate to their own pets at home,” said Robert Heyer, Enrichment Coordinator at Luvin Arms.

For more information about the Luvin Arms Enrichment Day, please visit here.

About Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary:
Luvin Arms is a nonprofit animal sanctuary for abused and neglected farmed animals, located in Erie, Colorado. Luvin Arms provides exceptional lifelong social, emotional, and cognitive care for their animal residents, and advocates for those who have not been rescued by sharing their residents’ stories to inspire, educate, and empower others to embrace a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.

About Behavior Vets Colorado:
Behavior Vets Colorado is a one-of-a-kind team of Behavior Vets, Behavior Consultants, and Certified Dog Trainers, led by Colorado’s most experienced Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist. Together they dedicate their lives to helping people and pets enjoy life together.

Contact:
Juli Arnold
Marketing and Communications Manager
juli@luvinarms.org

###

There are two kinds of tests that maybe perform for testing for alcohol. The first is a breath test. Colorado uses intoxilyzer 9000 to conduct their breath testing. If you choose to take the breath test that is the machine that will be used and you will be given the results when you're done taking the test. If you choose to take the blood test, your test will be send to a forensics lab and it can take months before the lab provide the results.

Read more about breathalyzer here https://duilawfirmdenver.com/was-your-breathalyzer-test-really-accurate/

Learn more here for repeat DUI offenders https://duilawfirmdenver.com/dui-denver/dui-defense-attorney-denver/habitual-and-felony-dui/

COUNTRY Financial is pleased to announce Grand Lake Fire Protection District (GLFPD) as a recipient of a COUNTRY Financial Operation Helping Heroes donation. Members of COUNTRY Financial’s South Denver agency, Mary Leeds and Kyle Mraz recently presented a $1,500 donation to the district which will use the funds to support the GLFPD Firefighter Fitness Program. 

“Emergency services are designed to be reactive. Financially this is very expensive, and it can become very difficult to fund proactive programs such as firefighter fitness programs,” said Grand Lake Fire Protection District Fire Chief Seth St. Germain. “Firefighter fitness and physical health is paramount to any agency's ability to serve as emergency responders successfully and professionally to the community and its visitors. The physical, mental, and emotional demands of the emergency response professionals is very high. Community and public donations like this that help fund all aspects of firefighter fitness and wellness are absolutely amazing!  As a Chief Officer, it is difficult to find words to express my gratitude and appreciation for these kindnesses.”

Members of COUNTRY Financial and Grand Lake firefighters.

A program from COUNTRY Financial called Operation Helping Heroes helped make this happen. Through the program, COUNTRY Financial representatives can identify heroes in their communities and do something personal to give back.

COUNTRY Financial has donated more than $4 million since 2020 to organizations and programs that support teachers, first responders, active-duty service members and veterans, supporting the company’s vision to “enrich lives in the communities we serve.” The Operation Helping Heroes program was created in 2015 to support non-profit events and programs that benefit active-duty service members, veterans and their families. Later, the program expanded to include first responders and teachers. 

About COUNTRY Financial® 

COUNTRY Financial serves about one million households and businesses throughout the United States and offers a full range of financial products and services from auto, home, business, farm and life insurance to retirement planning services, investment management and annuities. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

7/12/2022

U.S. Department of State 

English Language Programs 

Contact:    ECA-Press@state.gov; Outreach@elprograms.org / 202-687-6044 

Dr. Juli Sarris Selected by U.S. Department of State for Prestigious English Language Teaching Fellowship in Armenia

The U.S. Department of State announced the selection of Dr. Juli Sarris of Boulder, Colorado, for a 10-month fellowship project teaching courses in applied linguistics, corpus linguistics, and research methods/writing to English faculty and students at Brusov State University in Yerevan, Armenia. Dr. Sarris is one of only 200 U.S. citizens selected for the 2022-2023 English Language Fellow Program.

Dr. Sarris is a former Fulbright US Scholar to the University of Pristina, Kosovo, and has also conducted teacher training courses in Uzbekistan and Cyprus.  She is affiliate faculty in the School of Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  She holds a PhD in Education and an MA in Linguistics/TESOL, both from CU-Boulder, as well as an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill and a BA from the University of Virginia. 

The English Language Fellow Program is the premier opportunity for experienced teachers of English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) to enact meaningful and sustainable changes in the way that English is taught abroad, and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) with funding provided by the U.S. government. Through projects developed by U.S. Embassies in more than 80 countries, Fellows work directly with local teachers, students, and educational professionals to improve the quality of English language instruction offered at prestigious universities and other academic institutions.

Since 1969, the English Language Fellow Program has sent thousands of TESOL scholars and educators abroad to promote English language learning, enhance English teaching capacity, and foster mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries through cultural exchange. On assignment, Fellows teach English, conduct teacher training, develop resources, and organize events and conferences. These projects are challenging and the teachers selected represent the best of the U.S. TESOL community. In return, the program provides professional development opportunities to help participants experience different cultures and build skills that can greatly enhance their TESOL careers back home.

English Language Fellows are counted among the more than 50,000 individuals participating in U.S. Department of State exchange programs each year. The Fellow Program is administered by the Center for Intercultural Education and Development at Georgetown University.

For further information about the English Language Fellow Program or the U.S. Department of State, please visit our website, contact us by telephone at 202-632-6452, or e-mail ECA-Press@state.gov.

WHEN: THIS Saturday, July 9, 2022 

6:00pm MTN

WHERE: Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary

3470 County Road 7, Erie, CO 80516 USA

WHAT: The Luvin Arms Compassion Carnival will be a unique experience allowing the community to  enjoy an incredible array of fun-filled activities around animals. Community members will enjoy carnival rides, games, and snuggles with the beloved animal residents of Luvin Arms. There will be food trucks, live music, glass blowing demos, and much more.

WHO: Community members of all walks of life

LEARN Press Release

MORE: About the Luvin Arms Carnival

CONTACT: Juli Arnold

Marketing and Communications Manager

juli@luvinarms.org

720-515-8577

NEWS RELEASE

Luvin Arms Celebrates Freedom for all Beings

For Immediate Release:
June 28, 2022

Erie, Colorado - This Fourth of July, a day we have celebrated for 246 years, We the people are grappling more than ever before with what “freedom” means, and to whom it applies.

Kenai and Koda, a baby chicken and baby duck, were oblivious to our struggles, but fought their own battle for freedom. Their story is one we can all celebrate: the freedom of two unlikely friends near death, rescued, and now living happily at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary.

One summer evening, a couple in Littleton strolling through a park heard faint little cries for help coming from an unmarked box. They lifted the lid and saw two babies cowering together, terrified for their lives.

They were covered in feces and parasites, and starving for days. Kenai, the chicken, and Koda, the duck, were in desperate need of help.

Koda, gasping for air, had feces packed tightly inside his nasal cavity from breathing it inside the small area of the box. He also had an injured leg due to the extremely tight confinement. Kenai was missing feathers and discolored gray - a sign of parasite infestation.

This Fourth of July, we are celebrating the kindness of the people who found Kenai and Koda and took them to their local humane shelter. This small act of kindness made a huge difference to their lives, and this is the only reason they survived.

The suffering they endured together has bonded them as friends and as brothers forever. It doesn’t matter that they are different species. They are completely inseparable - where one goes, the other soon follows.

This unlikely friendship reminds us that in difficult times, individuals can band together just like Koda and Kenai. We, like all species, can overlook our differences and forge friendships to overcome the challenges in front us.

Luvin Arms is a sanctuary of inspiration and connection where people are empowered to create change that leads to more compassionate choices for themselves, for the planet, and justice for all beings.

Help us celebrate Koda and Kenai's story AND the power of compassion by joining us at the Luvin Arms Carnival. On July 9th at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary from 6-9 pm, enjoy a Compassion Carnival featuring rides, games, live music, and food trucks.

Rides include:
*Ballistic Swing
*Rock Climbing Wall
*Inflatables

Food vendors include:
*Vegan Van
*Saucy Cluckers
*Solstice Sweet
*Erica Sodos
*Nude Foods

Live music by Annette Conlon
Glass blowing demonstrations by Fera Academy

Visitors will also get to cuddle with the animal residents of Luvin Arms, an opportunity to experience the pure joy of connecting with other species.

This will be a fun event for the entire family!

Learn more here:

• About Koda

• About Kenai

• About the Luvin Arms Carnival

About Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary:
Luvin Arms is a nonprofit animal sanctuary for abused and neglected farmed animals, located in Erie, Colorado. Luvin Arms provides exceptional lifelong social, emotional, and cognitive care for their animal residents, and advocates for those who have not been rescued by sharing their residents’ stories to inspire, educate, and empower others to embrace a more compassionate and sustainable lifestyle.

Contact:
Juli Arnold
Marketing and Communications Manager
juli@luvinarms.org


###

Whatever the case, this can be a stressful and uncomfortable time especially when this state is not your own and you now have to address the time, and consequences associated with a DUI in Colorado and maybe even in your own state too.

To ensure you get an easy transition, it is highly recommended that you hire an experienced private DUI attorney in Colorado.

Read more here https://duilawfirmdenver.com/you-visited-colorado-and-got-a-dui-what-now/

Learn more here for first time offenders https://duilawfirmdenver.com/dui-denver/dui-defense-attorney-denver/dui-or-dwai-first-offense/

Luvin Arms Tours are so popular, we added not just one but two new tours this summer: Friday noontime Connect tours and Spanish-speaking tours!

A tour of Erie-based Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary is much more than a fun day spent getting to know our amazing family of rescued animals. In fact, it is nearly impossible to leave without developing a deeper understanding of the unique personalities and complex emotional lives that all animals lead.

On the Connect Tour, you will get to meet a select number of our residents on this family-friendly one-hour tour. As you listen to the inspiring stories of our residents, you will get to connect and cuddle with them as individuals. You will also get to sample delicious plant-based foods at the end of the tour.

Please consider not attending if you don’t feel well, or have any symptoms of a fever or cold.

Friday Noontime Connect Tours:

June 24 - Aug 12

12:00pm Mtn

Spanish-Speaking Tours:

June 25

July 16

Aug 6

Sept 3

10:00am Mtn

Location:

Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary

3470 County Road 7, Erie, CO 80516

Pick a Tour & Register Here

Cost:

Your generous donations allow us to continue our lifesaving work of rescuing and caring for farmed animals.

Child $10

Adult $20

Learn More:

About Tours

720.515.8577

MEDIA ADVISORY:
Vegan Bus Life Cooking Demo at Luvin Arms

WHEN:

Saturday, June 25, 2022 

6:00pm MTN

WHERE:

Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary

3470 County Road 7, Erie, CO 80516 USA

WHAT:

Matt and Grace of The Golden Road have quite a following! After walking across the country, they are now driving it with their two dogs, documenting as they go. They’re stopping by Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary, to volunteer for a week and offer a special cooking demonstration on plant-based eating while on the road.

For more information, please visit: Vegan Bus Life

WHO:

Community members of all ages

CONTACT:

Juli Arnold

Marketing and Communications Manager

juli@luvinarms.org

720-515-8577

COUNTRY Financial is pleased to announce Denver Fire Department as a recipient of a COUNTRY Financial Operation Helping Heroes award.  Members of COUNTRY Financial’s South Denver agency, Tera Hodson, Mary Leeds and Kyle Mraz recently recognized the department with the award and presented a $1,500 donation to assist with the purchase of needed gear and equipment for Denver Fire Station 22.

Representatives of COUNTRY Financial in Denver present Operation Helping Heroes donation to Denver Fire Department.

“Your contribution supports our mission to advocate for the Denver Fire Department (DFD) by providing resources and support to improve firefighter safety and wellness, thereby enhancing public safety. This is critical to the success of the Denver Fire Department Foundation in its efforts to better the health and longevity of the men and women who put themselves in harm’s way to serve the residents of Denver,” said Laura Douglas, executive director Denver Fire Department Foundation. “Thanks in part to donations like yours, Denver Fire Department and Denver Fire Department Foundation were awarded another successful FEMA-allocated grant in the amount of $2.1M for SCBA air tanks and masks for all Denver firefighters.”

A program from COUNTRY Financial called Operation Helping Heroes helped Tera and Mary make this happen. Through the program, COUNTRY Financial representatives can identify heroes in their communities and do something personal to give back.

“We see these firefighters quite often because they run the stairs at our building in full gear, for training,” said Hodson, an insurance agent with COUNTRY Financial. “Recently, the same firefighters were at our building responding to an emergency. We truly see how dedicated and hardworking these men and women are and what they do every day to help our community, we wanted to show our appreciation in some way.”

COUNTRY Financial has donated more than $4 million since 2020 to organizations and programs that support teachers, first responders, active-duty service members and veterans, supporting the company’s vision to “enrich lives in the communities we serve.” The Operation Helping Heroes program was created in 2015 to support non-profit events and programs that benefit active-duty service members, veterans and their families. Later, the program expanded to include first responders and teachers. 

About COUNTRY Financial® 

COUNTRY Financial serves about one million households and businesses throughout the United States and offers a full range of financial products and services from auto, home, business, farm and life insurance to retirement planning services, investment management and annuities.