Jump In, Join In
Ways To Help In The ‘Hood
By Tracey MacDermott Board Chair, GPHC, Inc.
As we say goodbye to 2016 and welcome in 2017 I would like to invite all of you to come and be a part of your community.
Greater Park Hill Community (GPHC) did a tremendous amount of good work in 2016. All tallied, members of this community put in more than 13,350 hours volunteering for various projects, events and meetings.
Our Garden Walk Committee organized another amazing tour of the best gardens right in our backyard. They also worked with the Park Hill Library to improve the landscape around the building at 4705 E. Montview Blvd. (See the story below for details.) I look forward to the new blossoms coming in spring and hope you are able to go see it for yourself. Our Home Tour committee once again highlighted spectacular homes and introduced us to churches in our community. The work of both the Garden and Home Tour Committees help raise money to continue our work as your Registered Neighborhood Association, support various projects and help feed our neighbors.
GPHC is committed to partnering with the Colfax Mayfair Business Improvement District to improve the corridor, which will help beautify, attract business and make Colfax a safe and vibrant street.
GPHC is also working to become a sustainable neighborhood. This program encourages neighborhoods to reduce emissions, create conservation of our ecosystems, promote energy efficiency and encourage use of renewable energy sources, conserve water resources and improve water quality, and encourage our residents through community interaction and partnerships. Currently, at our offices we implement a little-to-no-waste policy. We are working on bringing you workshops this year on how to protect yourself from large storms and ways to improve water quality. We will also be presenting other programs to help us achieve the Sustainable Neighborhood status with the city.
If you are reading this article you are reading our award-winning newspaper. The Greater Park Hill News will continue its journalism excellence by bringing you the stories and issues about our city and neighborhood. Your newspaper is delivered to your home by a dedicated group of volunteers. I hope you have enjoyed reading your newspaper.
2017 will bring change to us. We will be saying goodbye to our executive director, Rebecca Born. Rebecca and her husband, along with a new baby, will be moving to Japan. Rebecca has been a terrific executive director, and has helped us grow as an organization. Her vibrant spirit and endless talent will be missed. With goodbyes comes a new hello. Please welcome our new Executive Director Sierra Fleenor. Sierra has a diverse background, which will contribute to our missions. Please take time to reach out to both Rebecca and Sierra in their new roles.
Our organization does not exist without the dedicated volunteers and board members who give up their time and talents for this neighborhood. We are indebted to all of our volunteers.
Last month the newspaper profiled the officers of GPHC, Inc., as well as the district representatives and at-large members who work to sustain and improve the Registered Neighborhood Organization. This month, meet the committee chairs who have agreed to serve in leadership positions for the RNO, including in safety, public information, education, health and human services, human relations, planning, fundraising, and youth initiatives.
I hope that you will consider volunteering with us.
As we work towards a sustainable neighborhood we are always looking for additional volunteers to become block captains along Colfax to pick up trash and recycling, report graffiti and report unwanted activity. Please consider joining us in this effort. Feel free to email me directly at chair@greaterparkhill.org or leave me a message at 303-388-0918 if you are interested.
We are also looking for individuals who could help us reach our sustainability goals by using their talents to hold seminars and conduct projects.
In addition we are always looking for volunteers to help deliver our newspaper or to help out in our office. We hope you will consider becoming a volunteer in your community.
I hope to work with you in 2017 to continue making Park Hill the best neighborhood in Denver.
Tracey MacDermott is in her second year as Chair of the Board of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc.