December 16, 2015
 
Dear Neighbor,

        Can you imagine trying to decide between paying for food and keeping the lights on? Can you imagine working full time and still struggling to make ends meet?
        You know how awful it is to be cold and hungry. It's not something you'd wish for anyone. You and I both know we all need a little help sometimes. LEAF envisions a world where our friends and neighbors are cared for in their time of need.  We are working hard to bring that vision to light right here in Lyons.
            We are writing today to ask for your support. Your gift is needed to help people like this LEAF client: "I am a 62 year-old woman who has been a professional writer and manager for many years. In August 2014 I lost my job and have been unable to find work since, and I have long since exhausted both my unemployment benefits and my savings. I had no idea where to turn. I knew of the food pantry LEAF offers on Wednesdays, and fortunately because of the pantry, I met the wonderful people doing supportive advocacy and case management. I worked with them and received help paying my utility bills and a voucher for gas. LEAF’s miracle-worker Janaki Jane also told me about other resources I'd never heard of; I had no idea that these resources were available, and I doubt I would have found them on my own. I thought there was no help for me, but my chance encounter with Janaki of LEAF gave me both help and hope.  I can’t thank you enough.”
         This holiday season, will you join us in making a difference in Lyons? LEAF needs your support to keep our programs going. Together, we can do so much more. 
Your tax-deductible gift helps a family build a secure future:

• $800 pays for licensed in-home childcare services for one month
• $200 pays for a Town of Lyons utility bill
• $100 puts gas in the car of a struggling working family for one month
• $25 per month helps a family on food stamps by supplemental products not covered

 
In gratitude,

Pam Browning, Ellen Hine, Tanya Daty, Peter Maves, Maridy Dandeneau, Susan McCann
LEAF Board of Directors & Emily Dusel, Executive Director
 
“I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people”
– Maya Angelou

by Emily Dusel
Executive Director, LEAF
 
LYONS – The Wild Rumpus sure was wild! The biggest adults only Halloween Party in Lyons’ history, Rave to the Grave, was held on Friday October 30 at the Wildflower Pavilion at Planet Bluegrass. The party was a benefit for Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF).
 
“We are so thankful to all of the artists, musicians, party-goers, donors, clients, sponsors, and volunteers for making Rave to the Grave a huge success raising over $12,000! The money raised for LEAF will directly benefit our friends and neighbors in need,” says Tanya Daty, a LEAF board member. 
 
Rave to the Grave was a fundraiser for Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF). Although attendance was free, donations were collected throughout the evening. LEAF envisions a world where our friends and neighbors are cared for in their time of need.  LEAF was created by a group of concerned citizens who recognized a gap in accessibility to human services for Lyons residents in need.  LEAF is a partner of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center and is fully operational under their 501c3 nonprofit status.
           
LEAF fills a critical need for direct human service provision in the greater Lyons area. LEAF seeks to:
 

• Be the local hub for human service integration and coordination,
• Help clients access resources at the local, county, and state level - the majority of our clients are underutilizing many resources available to them,
• Ensure that no one in the Lyons area goes hungry,
• Educate our community around issues of poverty; and
• Support our residents recovering from disaster.

 
The music by Arthur Lee Land and the band GoGo Lab was truly out of this world!  Along with a video dj show by Needmore productions, wild costumes, lots of dancing, great food and drink, and fun booths, this party was epic. Congratulations to Jenna Brink for winning two best costume as the mean old lady!  
 
Local artist Kahlie Sue Pinello took the lead on artistic vision and decorations along with her team of Wendy Miller and Claudia Kean and wow did they deliver!  From blood lining the walls, to old-fashioned carnival booths, this team blew it out of the water!  Booths with all kinds of fun activities lined the walls of the pavilion.  Thanks to Lyons Mane (body art), the Polar Bear (whiskey slap), Nancy Arp and Carol Lee (fortune teller), Button Rock Bakery and Harry Kellogg (connect 4), Hogwash (double dog dares) Gateway Windows and Doors (photo booth) and Mayama (dancing screen). 
 
Planet Bluegrass donated the venue, staff time, and proceeds from alcohol sales directly to LEAF.  This event would not have been possible without their generosity.  Thank you to Craig Ferguson, Eric Kean, and all of the planet staffers that helped! Rave to the Grave sponsors covered all of the hard costs of the event, allowing every dollar raised that night to go directly to LEAF’s programs.  Thank you to premier sponsor Headquarters Cannabis Company!  Sponsors included Wild by Design, Conner Construction, CARE, Capable Kids, Mama Heather’s Childcare, Lyons Sandstone, and LeGault Construction. Thank you so Ax & Oar for providing delicious food!  And lastly, thank you to Lyons Community Foundation for being a major funder of LEAF.
 
 
This holiday season, please consider a donation to LEAF and help all residents in need. Click here to donate now.