Parker, Castle Rock and Elizabeth help Operation Christmas
Child
It’s beginning to look like Christmas in Parker, Castle Rock,
Franktown and Elizabeth, as local businesses, churches and homes
prepare to serve as collection points for Operation Christmas
Child.
Gifts can be dropped off from Nov. 16-23 at the following sites
and times:
Pinecrest Community Church, 7165 N. Delbert Road, Parker, CO
80138, 720-851-2300. From 4-6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and
Friday; 9-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Heritage EV Free Church, 555 N. Heritage Ave., Castle Rock, CO
80104, 303-660-9911. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9
a.m. to noon Saturday; 8 a.m to 3 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to noon
Nov. 23.
Son Country Community Church, 7114 Sun Country Drive, Elizabeth,
CO 80107, (303) 646-2728. From 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday by
appointment; 7-9 p.m. Wednesday; 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday; and 9 a.m.
to noon Friday and Saturday.
Soon, with the help of local volunteers, these sites will be
brimming with festively wrapped shoe boxes full of gifts.
Through Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas
project, Parker, Castle Rock, Franktown, and Elizabeth residents
are packing shoe box gifts for children in more than 100 countries
suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine
and poverty. From these towns the shoe box gifts will be sorted and
sent using whatever means necessary — sea containers, trucks,
trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds — to reach
suffering children around the world.
In 2008, the Parker, Castle Rock, Franktown, and Elizabeth areas
contributed 2,965 boxes to the Operation Christmas Child effort.
This year, organizers hope to collect 3,500 gift-filled shoe boxes
from families, kids, churches, schools and civic organizations in
the area.
Senior center needs more cars to be donated
Castle Rock Senior Center funding has dropped, which greatly
reduces the ability to continue some programs. Donors can receive
tax credits for donating vehicles to the senior center.
Particularly affected is our program of providing transportation
to our older seniors who depend upon us to get them to their doctor
appointments and numerous other transportation needs.
Getting good quality cars donated to the Castle Rock Senior
Center is a great way to meet the needs of local seniors and get a
tax credit at the same time. Call Sandy or Chuck 303-688-9498 if
you wish to donate a car, truck, boat or trailer.
The center also has fundraisers such as King Soopers gift cards,
the newly available senior center cook book and its craft and bake
sales. The new cookbook is called “Recipes from the Heart 2009” and
is now available.
Black named female law enforcement officer of year
Rocky Mountain Women in Law Enforcement named Castle Rock Police
Officer Tammy Black its female law enforcement officer of the year.
The award is given out annually to one female officer working
within the Front Range.
Black was among many nominees for the annual award and was
selected based on her extraordinary example and her work
performance. She has served with the Castle Rock Police Department
for the past five years.
“Officer Black continually provides exceptional service for the
department,” said Police Chief Tony Lane. “She excels at her work
and still manages to volunteer for work and projects far beyond
what is expected.”
Following are some of the qualifications used to judge the
female law enforcement nominees:
Exceptional valor: A policewoman who distinguishes herself by
bravery, heroism or outstanding courage and has placed the safety
and welfare of her community above all other considerations.
Exceptional achievement: Excellence as demonstrated by a female
law enforcement officer who has made significant contributions to
the profession; shown outstanding knowledge, expertise and
professionalism; created contributions that have affected the
police profession in the community/region; presents an influential
impact in policing in a professional role (speaker, lecturer,
writer, community liaison); and serves as a role model for other
police women.
“Officer Black was an obvious nomination for us,” added Lane.
“She’s a true role model for law enforcement officers throughout
the region.”
Most recently, Black aided in the apprehension of a suspect in
four robberies occurring in Castle Rock, Colorado Springs and Fort
Collins.
For more information about the Rocky Mountain Women in Law
Enforcement, go to rmwle.org.