Rocky Card News
We receive so much support from our media sponsors, our merchant card sellers, our merchant participants, and the people who buy Rocky Cards that we want to let everyone know when we're able to do something positive in the Estes Park community. So, here's our news!
November 11, 2011: Estes Park News —
Rocky Card media sponsors Kris and Gary Hazelton (right) present a check for $1,000 on behalf
of the Rocky Card to FFE members Ingra Marske, Sara Bergsten, and Stacy Ferree.
The Rocky Card Donates to Families for Estes
Thanks to Estes Park’s summer visitors and the number of local and seasonal residents who enjoy saving money while supporting local businesses and nonprofit groups, Debra Dullaghan and Anne Smith, owners of Estes Park’s Rocky Card Inc., were once again able to donate money to a local charity. They provided $1,000 to Families for Estes to help with their current project of providing new musical instruments to Estes Park Elementary School’s music program.
Families for Estes was founded in June 2007 by a small group of Estes Valley residents who wanted to give young families in Estes Park a voice in the community and help the town become more family- friendly. The improvements made by the organization’s fundraising efforts so far include new playground equipment at Stanley Park and Lake Estes Marina, renovated and winterized restrooms at Stanley Park, and, most recently, a water slide at the Aquatic Center.
The group expects to have the funds to purchase the musical instruments by the end of November, after which time they will select a new goal. For more information on Families for Estes, visit their website at www.FamiliesForEstes.org.
The Rocky Card has been giving to the community since 2008, and in that time, Dullaghan and Smith have donated more than $17,000 to Estes Park organizations. Their goal with each donation is to make a difference within the community that supports their efforts.
With the Rocky Card, local businesses who are Rocky Card members attract customers by offering discounts or other incentives to cardholders. Visitors and Estes Park locals purchase a Rocky Card for $10 to access the discounts, and Dullaghan and Smith donate the profits from the sale of the cards to local charities.
Merchants who participate in the Rocky Card program agree that the Rocky Card has improved sales, gained customer awareness, and provided local charities with much-needed funds. With the Rocky Card, everybody wins!
Rocky Cards for 2012 should be available by Thanksgiving. They will be available from many merchants around Estes Park, including Country Market, Estes Park Mountain Shop, Estes Park True Value & Radio Shack, Rocky Mountain Gateway, and Safeway. A complete list of locations, as well as a list of the merchants that offer Rocky Card discounts, is available at www.RockyCard.com.
The success of the Rocky Card could not be possible without the support of its promotional partners, which include Estes Park News, EPTV Channel 8, Reel Mountain Theater, The UPS Store, and Estes Park Vacationland.
October 21, 2011: Estes Park News —
Nick Molle, left, from Rocky Card media sponsor EPTV Channel 8 and Rocky Card co-owner Debra Dullaghan, right,
present Hospice of the Estes Valley Director Sarah Bosko, RN, and Ann Lundquist, MSW, with a $1,000 donation.
The Rocky Card Donates to Hospice of the Estes Valley
Thanks to Estes Park’s summer visitors and the number of local and seasonal residents who enjoy saving money while supporting local businesses and nonprofit groups, Debra Dullaghan and Anne Smith, owners of Estes Park’s Rocky Card Inc., were once again able to donate money to a local charity. Hospice of the Estes Valley received $1,000 to help provide support for hospice patients and their families and caregivers.
“This donation will help us provide services for patients who do not have insurance or Medicare,” said Hospice Director Sarah Bosko, RN. “It will also help us provide services that insurance does not cover for patient, family, and caregiver comfort and support.”
The focus of Hospice is on the patient’s quality of life in an environment that is the most comfortable. With donations from the community, Hospice is hoping to expand their capabilities into areas such as helping provide funds for trips for patients to see family members or personal luxuries for patients, families, and caregivers such as in-home massages or visits from musicians.
Hospice of the Estes Valley is always accepting donations and applications for volunteers. If you would like to help, please contact Sarah or Ann at (970)586-2273.
The Rocky Card provides more than 70 discounts to Estes Park restaurants and merchants and may be purchased at many locations, including Country Market, Estes Park Mountain Shop, True Value, Rocky Mountain Gateway and Safeway. All profits from the sale of the $10 cards benefit Estes Park non-profit organizations, thanks in part to generous support from media sponsors EPTV Channel 8, Estes Park News, Reel Mountain Theater, Estes Park Vacationland and The UPS Store. For more information on the Rocky Card, visit www.RockyCard.com or call (970)391-3946.
July 29, 2011: Estes Park News —
Rocky Card co-owner Debra Dullaghan presents a check to Estes Park Honor Flight Northern Colorado
representatives Vern Mertz (left), Bob Brunson, and Gary Brown.
The Rocky Card to Send Veterans on Honor Flight
With the proceeds of summer Rocky Card sales adding up, Debra Dullaghan and Anne Smith, owners of Estes Park’s Rocky Card Inc., were able to do what they love to do best – give them to charity. This time, they gave $2,000 to Honor Flight Northern Colorado to enable two veterans from Estes Park to participate with the next local Honor Flight in September.
Honor Flight Northern Colorado is part of a national network established in 2005 to provide free trips for World War II Veterans, and now Korean War Veterans, to visit their memorials in Washington D.C. As of November 2010, the Honor Flight network across the country has transported more than 63,000 veterans to see the memorials built in their honor.
Bob Brunson, who has been an Honor Flight passenger, said of the Honor Flight program, “It’s great to see the greatest generation be recognized for what we stand for.”
The Rocky Card has been giving to the community for the past three years, and in that time, Dullaghan and Smith have donated more than $15,000 to Estes Park organizations. Their goal with each donation is to make a difference within the community that supports their efforts.
The premise behind the Rocky Card is that local businesses who are Rocky Card members attract customers by offering discounts or other incentives to cardholders. Visitors and Estes Park locals purchase a Rocky Card for $10 to access the discounts, and Dullaghan and Smith donate the profits from the sale of the cards to local charities.
Merchants who participate in the Rocky Card program agree that the Rocky Card has improved sales, gained customer awareness, and provided local charities with much-needed funds. With the Rocky Card, everybody wins!
Rocky Cards may be purchased from many merchants around Estes Park, including Country Market, Estes Park Mountain Shop, Estes Park True Value & Radio Shack, Rocky Mountain Gateway, and Safeway. A complete list of locations, as well as a list of the merchants that offer Rocky Card discounts, is available at www.RockyCard.com.
The success of the Rocky Card could not be possible without the support of its promotional partners, which include Estes Park News, EPTV Channel 8, Reel Mountain Theater, The UPS Store, and Estes Park Vacationland.
February 18, 2011: Estes Park News —
Rocky Card members Bill Prohs, left, and Erick Prohs of Estes Park True Value & Radio Shack present the check
from the Rocky Card
to Diana Laughlin of Partners Mentoring Youth.
The Rocky Card Donates to Partners Mentoring Youth
Thanks to the support of Estes Park merchants and the early purchasers of the 2011 Rocky Card, locally owned Rocky Card Inc. was able to make its first donation of the year to an Estes Park nonprofit organization.
Rocky Card donated $1,000 to Partners Mentoring Youth to help provide financial support for the one-to-one mentoring relationships it creates and supports between positive adult role models and youth facing challenges in their personal, social, and academic lives.
Partners Mentoring Youth has served the Estes Park community since 1996. According to program coordinator Diana Laughlin, after completing one year in the Partners program, youth show increased self esteem, lower rates of delinquency, decreased intent to use drugs, and increased attachment to adults who are not parents or relatives.
In 2010, 24 partnerships were active in Estes Park, and the youth and adults spent more than 1,600 hours together. The cost is about $1,500 per year to create and support each mentoring relationship, with money going to recruiting adult mentors, background screenings, insurance for staff and volunteers, training for new mentors, and monthly partnership activities. The Rocky Card donation will provide funds to allow more Estes Park youth to participate.
To get involved with Partners Mentoring Youth, consider volunteering as a mentor or attending the Red Envelope Dinner on Thursday, March 3 at Mama Rose’s Restaurant. For more information, contact Diana Laughlin at 970-577-9348 or email diana@partnersmentoringyouth.org.
The Rocky Card provides fabulous discounts at Estes Park restaurants and merchants, and may be purchased at many locations, including Country Market, Estes Park Mountain Shop, Estes Park True Value & Radio Shack, Rocky Mountain Gateway, and Safeway. All profits from the sale of the $10 cards benefit Estes Park nonprofit organizations, thanks in part to promotional sponsors Estes Park News, EPTV Channel 8, Reel Mountain Theater, The UPS Store, and Estes Park Vacationland. For more information on the Rocky Card, visit www.RockyCard.com or call 970-391-3946.
December 24, 2010: Estes Park News —
The Rocky Card Donates to Crossroads Ministry
Thanks to the support of Estes Park merchants and people excited to have a 2011 Rocky Card in their hands, locally owned Rocky Card Inc. was able to make a final donation to a local nonprofit organization in 2010.
Crossroads Ministry received $2,000 to help make the holidays a little brighter for families and individuals having a difficult time making ends meet, and to help the organization with its goal of raising $12,000 to construct a new walk-in freezer.
Crossroads is now serving more than 440 families in the Estes Valley, which consist of nearly 1,200 individuals and includes more than 440 children. These families receive assistance in the form of food and money for utility, rent, medical care, and transportation.
At the same time Crossroads is experiencing a 72% increase in food assistance requests, their current walk-in freezer and refrigerator are failing. To continue to serve people in need and to prevent the loss of thousands of dollars in food, they are working with refrigeration professionals to convert the current freezer to a walk-in refrigerator and build a new sub-zero freezer. For information on how you can help with this project or with Crossroads’ basic needs, call Crossroads at 577-0610.
December 17, 2010: Estes Park News —
Eric Marske of The UPS Store buys the first 2011 Rocky Card from Debra Dullaghan. Rocky Cards provide discounts at merchants all over town and the proceeds from sales go to local nonprofit organizations. Cards may be purchased from Country Market, Estes Park Mountain Shop, Safeway, Estes Park True Value/Radio Shack, Rocky Mountain Gateway, and other merchants throughout Estes Park.
September 24, 2010: Estes Park News —
Dave Watosky (left) and Rob Mardock from the Estes Park Mountain Shop present EVICS program coordinator
Nancy Almond with a donation from the Rocky Card.
The Rocky Card Donates to Estes Valley Investment for Childhood Success
After a record-breaking summer of Rocky Card sales, Rocky Card Inc. is pleased to be able to make another donation to a local nonprofit organization. This time, the company gave $2,000 to the Estes Valley Investment for Childhood Success (EVICS).
EVICS is a nonprofit organization working to promote and support quality early childhood care and education in the Estes Valley. The Rocky Card donation will go to the EVICS Child Care Scholarship Fund, which provides short-term scholarship assistance to local families that demonstrate financial need, meet specific criteria, and do not have other funding sources available to meet their child care needs.
Scholarship funds for EVICS come solely from grants and local donations, and 2010 has been a record year for applications to the scholarship program, according to EVICS program coordinator Nancy Almond, because of the tough economy and lack of funds provided from the state level.
“The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, which is intended to assist qualifying low-income families, has essentially frozen its funds in Larimer County. This has greatly impacted many families and has put added pressure on our program to meet the need here in our community,” said Almond.
Part of the Rocky Card’s success in raising money for nonprofit groups like EVICS comes from the local merchants who fully embrace the Rocky Card program by offering enticing discounts and proactively selling Rocky Cards to their customers.
The Estes Park Mountain Shop, for example, which has sold hundreds of Rocky Cards this year, offers Rocky Card discounts on shopping in the store, as well as on different trips and activities. Their staff members enthusiastically mention their Rocky Card discount along with many of the other discounts available with the Rocky Card throughout Estes Park to their customers. Their tactics often result in a Rocky Card sale, which is good for the Rocky Card merchants and very good for local nonprofit organizations such as EVICS that benefit from the Rocky Card proceeds.
For information on how you can help EVICS, call Nancy Almond at 586-3055 or visit the EVICS website at www.evics.org. You can also donate to EVICS through the Estes Park United campaign online at www.uwaylc.org/EstesParkUnited.html.
July 24, 2010: Estes Park News —
Rocky Card owners Anne Smith, right, and Debra Dullaghan, second from right,
present a check to Harvest House residents and staff.
Harvest House for Women Receives Donation from the Rocky Card
Rocky Card owners Debra Dullaghan and Anne Smith were thrilled to be able to make their second donation to Harvest House for Women when they presented the organization with a check for $2,000 on July 19.
The money will help Harvest House directors Bob and Sharon Vigil with their monthly expenses, which have become more difficult to meet because of the tough economy. Donations to ministries like Harvest House and other nonprofit organizations are down because so many people are in need of assistance, funds are being reallocated or kept closer to home.
Dullaghan and Smith are appreciative of the 80 Estes Park merchant Rocky Card members and the visitors and local residents who purchase Rocky Cards to enable them to support Harvest House and the other nonprofits to which they are able to donate.
The Rocky Card provides fabulous discounts to Estes Park restaurants and merchants. All profits from the sale of the $10 cards benefit Estes Park nonprofit organizations, such as Harvest House for Women, thanks in part to promotional sponsors Estes Park News, EPTV Channel 8, Reel Mountain Theater, and The UPS Store. For more information on the Rocky Card, visit www.RockyCard.com or call 970.586.4634.
April 9, 2010: Estes Park News —
Estes Park School District librarians Lisa Wahler, Elizabeth Repola, and Anne Dewey
stand in front of the books that were purchased for them by the Rocky Card.
The Rocky Card Donates to Estes Park School District Libraries
The Estes Park School District libraries became the latest recipient of a donation from the Rocky Card, as owners Debra Dullaghan and Anne Smith purchased $1,000 in books selected by each school librarian for their individual libraries.
The books were purchased from the Scholastic Book Fair at the Middle School. Because Scholastic gives credit to schools for each book purchased during the fair, the librarians will also be able to buy even more books for students thanks to the Rocky Card donation.
“Books at the Elementary School don’t have a long shelf life because students are always checking them out,” said Elementary School librarian Lisa Wahler. “We always need new books, and new books keep reading exciting for kids.”
Middle School librarian Elizabeth Repola chose books that are popular with students and ones that the teachers can check out from the library and use in their classrooms. “All of our teachers teach reading, and they don’t always have a good selection of books in their classrooms that they can read to their students,” said Repola.
The books chosen by High School librarian Anne Dewey included easier books written in Spanish. “We don’t have that many and kids are always checking them out,” she said. “It’s good to have a variety.”
The book fair runs at the Middle School through noon on Friday, April 9. If you are interested in buying books for the school libraries, contact any of the three schools.
December 24, 2009: Estes Park News —
The Rocky Card Donates to Crossroads Ministry
Thanks to the support of Estes Park merchants and people excited to have a 2010 Rocky Card in their hands, Rocky Card Inc. was able to make one more donation to a nonprofit organization in 2009. Crossroads Ministry received $1,000 to help make the holidays a little brighter for families and individuals having a difficult time making ends meet.
“We had 43 new families requesting help in November,” said Virgil Good, Crossroads executive director. “People are out of work, out of money, and out of resources.”
Crossroads is now serving more than 400 families and more than 1,000 individuals in the Estes Valley, providing assistance in the form of food and money for utility, rent, medical care, and transportation. For information on how you can help, call Crossroads at 577-0610.
August 14, 2009: Estes Park News —
Scott Webermeier and Tracy Hilker, representing National Park Village, present
Estes Park Relay for Life co-chair Katrina Cahill with a donation from the Rocky Card.
The Rocky Card Donates to Estes Park Relay for Life
From Alaska to Florida and Maine to California, Estes Park visitors have been buying Rocky Cards for great discounts around Estes Park. As a result, Rocky Card Inc. was able to make a donation on Tuesday from the proceeds of their July sales to help another local nonprofit organization. This time, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Estes Park received $1,000 toward their goal of raising $100,000 before August 31.
“We so appreciate the Rocky Card helping us reach our goal,” said Katrina Cahill, Estes Park Relay for Life co-chair, “and we appreciate the generosity of the Estes Park community, especially considering the state of the economy.” According to her sources, Estes Park’s fundraising results have far exceeded those of the Relay for Life events in other larger neighboring communities, including Fort Collins and Loveland.
Scott Webermeier (The Other Side Restaurant) and Tracy Hilker (The Country Market) are the Rocky Card’s leading resellers. Both are thrilled to be able to contribute to the Relay for Life donation through Rocky Card sales. Tracy said, “We’re proud to be able to support the Rocky Card and the nonprofit groups that the card’s proceeds benefit.”June 26, 2009: Estes Park News —
The Rocky Card Donates to Hospice of the Estes Valley
Thanks to Estes Park visitors and residents who have been buying Rocky Cards for great discounts around Estes Park, Rocky Card Inc. was able to make a donation on Tuesday to another local non-profit organization. This time, Hospice of the Estes Valley received $1,000 to help provide support for hospice patients and their families and caregivers.
Hospice of the Estes Valley is always accepting donations and applications for volunteers. If you would like to help, please contact Sarah or Ann at (970)586-2273.
April 17, 2009: Estes Park News —
The Rocky Card Donates to Crossroads Ministry
Estes Park visitors and residents have been buying up Rocky Cards fast enough to enable Rocky Card Inc. to make another donation to a local non-profit organization. This time, Crossroads Ministry received $1,000 to help families and individuals needing help to pay for basic services.
“This donation will help us help families who are having a hard time as a result of the economic downturn,” said Crossroads Ministry Executive Director Virgil Good. “We are seeing more people coming in who have never needed help before.”
Thanks to early season Rocky Card sales, Rocky Card Inc. was also able to take advantage of the 2009 Feinstein Challenge to make its donation extend even further. Nationally known philanthropist Alan Feinstein will give away $1 million by matching a portion of donations made to Crossroads and other agencies dealing with homelessness and hunger through the end of April. Since 1996, the annual Feinstein Challenges have raised nearly $1 billion across the country.
In 2008, Crossroads Ministry served 322 family units, 842 individuals, and 323 children with assistance in the form of food and money for utility, rent, medical care, and transportation. For information on how you can make donations, especially to take advantage of the Feinstein Challenge, call Crossroads at 577-0610.
February 6, 2009: Estes Park News —
Rocky Card Donates to Quota Club Ambulance Fund
This week, owners of The Rocky Card, Debra Dullaghan and Anne Smith, were proud to be able to support another Estes Park non-proft organization, Quota Club's Ambulance Drive, with a $1,000 donation. Debra and Anne are pictured above with members of the Estes Park Quota Club in front of an ambulance previously purchased by Quota Club for Estes Park Medical Center.
December 12, 2008: Estes Park News —
The Healing Waters Foundation Receives Donation from The Rocky Card
The Healing Waters Foundation became the latest Estes Park non-profit organization to benefit from 2008 Rocky Card sales. The $500 donation from Rocky Card, Inc. will help the foundation’s warm water rehabilitation pool remain available to anyone who desires to use it.
The pool provides rehabilitation assistance for people who suffer from injuries or neuromuscular diseases, who seek water to strengthen their bodies, or who find relief for their arthritic joints in warm water.
People who have had strokes, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, or total joint replacements and those who live with the challenges of diseases such as Parkinson’s or arthritis find great relief from the warm therapeutic waters of the Healing Waters Foundation pool.
The pool features an in-floor treadmill, a video system for visual feedback, and a chair lift all in a comfortable, private atmosphere to make rehabilitation as effective as possible.
For more information on the services provided by the Healing Waters Foundation, which is located at 1632 B Big Thompson Ave., call the pool office at 970.586.9205.
November 21, 2008: Estes Park News —
November 7, 2008: Estes Park News —
Rocky Card co-owners Anne Smith, left, and Debra Dullaghan present a donation to Partners' Estes Park Director Diana Laughlin.
Partners Mentoring Youth Receives Donation from the Rocky Card
Partners Mentoring Youth benefited from Rocky Card sales to fall visitors in Estes Park as Rocky Card Inc. partners Debra Dullaghan and Anne Smith donated $500 to the Estes Park youth program on November 5.
“The donation from the Rocky Card will help Partners Mentoring Youth create a new youth mentoring relationship,” said Estes Park Program Coordinator Diana Laughlin. “Our costs include recruiting adult mentors, background screenings, insurance for staff and volunteers, training for new mentors, and monthly activities.”
So far in 2008, 26 Estes Park children have been served by Partners and currently there are 20 active partnerships. Laughlin said the organization is grateful for the support of the Rocky Card so that their program can continue to grow and serve more Estes Park youth.
For more information on Partners Mentoring Youth, visit www.partnersmentoringyouth.org.
September 26, 2008: Estes Park News —
Rocky Card co-owners Debra Dullaghan, left, and Anne Smith, right, present a donation
to Bob Vigil and Bobby Vigil of Harvest House for Women.
Harvest House for Women Receives Donation from the Rocky Card
Harvest House for Women in Estes Park became the second major donation recipient from Rocky Card, Inc. on September 23. Rocky Card owners Debra Dullaghan and Anne Smith were pleased to present the transitional housing program for women and children with $1,000 and Harvest House executive director Bob Vigil was happy to receive it.
“We appreciate the generosity of the Rocky Card,” said Vigil. “The money will help us with operating expenses to support the thirty-five women and children we have staying with us right now.”
For more information on Harvest House for Women and their fall fundraising event, visit www.harvesthouseforwomen.org.
August 1, 2008: Estes Park News —
Estes Valley Victim Advocates executive director Mary Mesropian, center, accepts a donation
from Anne Smith, left, and Debra Dullaghan, owners of Rocky Card, Inc.
Estes Valley Victim Advocates Receives
First Donation from the Rocky Card
July 29 was an important day for two local organizations.
Estes Valley Victim Advocates received one thousand dollars to fund the operating budget for their new safe house. And Rocky Card, Inc. made its first donation to an Estes Park non-profit, helping to fulfill the company’s commitment to support the Estes Park community.
“We very much appreciate the contribution from the Rocky Card,” said EVVA executive director Mary Mesropian. “We have been focusing our efforts on raising funds for our safe house. This money will help pay the cost of living for the people who will stay there.”
The Rocky Card began as a way to provide co-op advertising opportunities for local businesses and shopping benefits for residents and Estes Park visitors. For only $10, cardholders receive valuable discounts at more than 60 businesses, and the card often pays for itself with the first use.
As owners Debra Dullaghan and Anne Smith evaluated the positive feedback they received from merchants and card purchasers regarding the program, they realized they could use the Rocky Card to benefit the Estes Park community as well, and the “Rocky Card Gives” was born.
Under the Rocky Card business model, the profits from the sale of every $10 card is donated to nonprofit groups in Estes Park.