Although Quota gals have had a busy summer, we found time to get together for our annual picnic. Special thanks to Judi and Frank D. for hosting Quota’s members & pals once again this year as well as the committee who helped with all the arrangements. As the saying goes “it wouldn’t happen without all your help”.
It is always a great time to catch up with one another, relax and look back on our years accomplishments.
Quota was honored to have the Executive Director, Kelly Robenhagen of the Loveland Youth Gardner’s organization share with us about the positive impact they have on the youth in the community at the beautiful home of Quota’s member Karen R.
“Loveland’s Youth Gardner’s organization is Northern Colorado’s non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth by building healthy relationships with people, the environment, and the community”. This incredible organization serves students from 13 to 20 years of age teaching youth to operate a youth-led farm. The farm is located right off of Hwy 34 & 402, where the young people learn about being “stewards of the land”, learn leadership skills and form healthy connections, while spending time in nature. The youth help with all aspects of the farm from preparing the soil, designing the bedding areas to harvesting what they have planted. When working with the students, they also focus on how the students can give back to their community such as watering the plants in the downtown Loveland area. Kelly reported that last year alone the organizations served over 400 youth. Kelly then shared they are also a proud partner with Colorado State University’s Grow & Give, a statewide gardening project to help support our food-insecure neighbors; “food grown on the farm by our students is then donated to address hunger locally, showing the power of our young people to make a difference!”
For additional information about Loveland’s Youth Gardner’s organization and to consider volunteering, visit their website www.lovelandyouthgardeners.org.
Quota members and a spouse volunteered during Saturday’s Windsor, Colorado Walk MS on Saturday May 11, 2024. Quota volunteers were honored to staff two of the hydration stations as participants gathered and walked to support the work that the Multiple Sclerosis Society does and to help get those living with MS closer to the ultimate goal: a cure.
Walk MS unites the MS community, their family & friends in the largest gathering of its kind to raise funds to make a difference for everyone living with MS. The MS community has raised funds to help the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s mission to find a cure for MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives.
If you’d like to participate in helping or walking to support finding a cure for MS check out their website at: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/
Quota gathered for another lovely and engaging evening of friendship, hearts and crafts as we were fortunate to have the guest speaker Violet M., Project Coordinator for the Project Linus of Larimer & Weld Counties. Violet told us about the efforts of many volunteers that create beautiful quilts and afghans for children in need in Northern Colorado. To top off our evening together, Quota members also had an opportunity to help make a fleece blanket that was donated to the Project Linus program. For additional information on the Project Linus program check out their website at: https://www.projectlinus.org/
A huge Thank You also goes out to our very own Quota member Kristi Martin. In the spirit of Random Acts of Kindness- Kristi made over 50 hearts for members to take and place around the community to brighten the day of a stranger. Each heart has a tag and directs the finder to a website to post where they found the heart. More information about the project is here: I Found a heart Website:
Pic attached of the beautiful hearts that Kristi made!!
Here are the rules about placing the hearts:
Examples of good places to sow hearts: A local park, hiking trail, highway rest stop, community center, outdoor shopping center, town square, foyer of public place, community bulletin board, beach, nature trail, tourist attraction, trees, bushes and fences in downtown areas, etc. Be imaginative and creative when looking for just the right public place to sow a heart and have fun!
Quota member Debra H. (and member of the American Legion) introduced out March 2024 quest speaker Karen Boehler, the founder of Post 1879 of the American Legion and twenty-nine year, member of the unit. Karen became interested in the organization as a younger person because her father was a WWII veteran. Karen has fond memories of her father showing poignant pictures of his time as a veteran. The pictures had a tremendous impact on her life and how she would eventually give back to her community. Karen stated she “loves supporting vets”.Did you know when the American Legion was founded and by whom? During Karen’s presentation we learned President Theodore Roosevelt founded the organization in 1919 and Congress chartered the Legion during that time too. As of 2024 the American Legion has 600,000 members nationwide.
Karen then shared the Mission they follow which she explained has four pillars: Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. Post 1879 of Fort Collins, Colorado, meets monthly at CSU and they are very proud that they have raised significant funds allowing members of the Post to support students at CSU as well as many, many organizations in the community. An example of how they raise funds is by selling their famous cookbooks. Both Karen and Debra stated they believe the earliest cookbook they found was published in 1919. The most current cookbook highlights the 100-year history of the organization honors the American veterans who served in the wars and conflicts. Another important part of what they strive to do is to provide a safe place for the veterans who are attending CSU.
As you can see the pictures below, Karen is so proud and excited when Post 1879 was awarded the “National Presidents Award for Excellence for SerWe” which is a HUGE honor for all they do for the veterans and those they “serve”. Congratulations!
For additional information on the American Legion Post 1879, visit their Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/LegionPost1879co/
Quota gals and pals rocked it when they volunteered with the Slammin’ Famine organization to pack food for malnourished children around the world. Completed meals were given to the non-profit group Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit hunger relief organization who then distributes nutritionally complete meals to save individuals lives.
Slammin’ Famine reported that “over the past 9 years, Slammin’ Famine together with volunteers in northern Colorado packed 4.5 million meals.”
For additional information about Slammin’ Famine check out their website at: https://www.slamminfamine.org/about.html
Soup…did someone say it’s soup time?
Quota gals continue to stay busy supporting local agencies in Northern Colorado. In the month of February for many years, Quota volunteers have stepped up to help support the Larimer county Food Bank at the annual Empty Bowls event. Special thanks to the 20 Quota members who helped at this year’s event.
BINGO… fun February continues for Quota!
Our very own member Sue P. brought us to our knees laughing as she introduced us to “Moital” in a comedic presentation. Sue, we are still talking and laughing from your routine! Thank you, thank you!
Following Sue’s presentation, we all played 5 fun filled games of Bingo! Jane, you are the ultimate Bingo caller! Members donated winnings to Quota allowing us to help support our mission this year.
Quota NOCO kicked off 2024 in a very inspiring way!Quota member Sue P. introduced this month’s guest presenters from the SNAPP organization. Alison Biggs the founder of SNAPP and Andrea Boncore Campbell, VP and Board Member. Ms. Biggs shared SNAPP is the acronym for Strength, Navigate, Advocate, Persevere and Purpose is an amazing organization providing empowerment for teens through resources, mentorship, teen-driven curriculum, group activities, and peer-to-peer programs designed to create community, build relationships, and strengthen the sense of self needed to navigate today’s culture and process their lives. Since its inception in 2017, SNAPP has “helped over 100 teens (tier 1) find empowerment and connection”.
The SNAPP program focuses on middle school teens in the 7th and 8th grade who are paired with high school mentors and professionals. Together, they participate in weekly group discussions over 12 weeks with topics such as:
The Fall and Spring sessions are run by CSU and UNC graduate students and are held once a week. This 12-week course creates a bond and community rooted in safety focused on topics that meet the participants’ needs.
Allison and Andrea shared how SNAPP creates a supportive and inclusive environment helping teens recognize the trials they encounter and how to face them head-on while developing the mental grit to overcome them. The SNAPP team helps participants develop effective coping skills and a strong sense of self to aid in successfully conquering obstacles they face as teens.
For additional information about SNAPP check out their website at www.snapp4teens.org/
BONUS: As a bonus to the month of January, two new members were introduced and inducted into Quota NOCO by Linda H. Join us in welcoming Diana & Kristi to the Quota family.
Shhhh…special announcement…keep on the lookout for an upcoming announcement about an estate sale in February! Keep your eyes open…
Quota NOCO gathered in December to celebrate the hard work everyone helped to accomplish throughout 2023 and to celebrate the joyous holiday season. Special thanks to Liv and her team who made our celebration not only beautiful, but a huge success. In addition to the festivities, members collected and donated items that were delivered to participants who are being assisted from Family Housing Network (FHN) an organization Quota has supported over the years. Items collected included baby shampoo, infant and adult blankets, hairbrushes, lip balm, diapers, soap, detergent, paper towels, baby wipes, toys, and much, much more. New member Kristi even made small cloth bags for the children. Two of the pictures below only show a small portion of what was donated. Also, special thanks to John S. for delivering all the items to FHN, the car was packed full!. Quota family, you rocked it with your kindness and generous donations!!!
Thank you, Quota members and friends, happy holidays and a very, very happy and healthy New Year!!
Quota NOCO’s fiscal year runs from October through September. So, September proves to be a very busy month for our volunteer organization. During our September 2023 dinner meeting we had the opportunity to thank our outgoing board members who graciously served a two year term (or more) helping to guide and manage Quota NOCO. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the organization. During this month’s meeting Past President of Quota, Kim M. presided over this year’s induction ceremonies of the 2023-2024 officers.
Join us in welcoming Quota’s 2023-2024 newly installed Officers. Pictured above (from left to right) Secretary, Karen R., V.P Judy D. President, Barb L. and Treasurer Kimber H. Additionally at our October business meeting, Judy W. was inducted as a Director and will serve a one year term.
Special thanks to our officers and directors for all you do!
Quota NOCO would like to welcome our two newest members.
Dianna was installed during our August dinner meeting, and we welcomed Phyllis in September. Both women have already become actively involved and we look forward to many more years of both dynamic women being a part of Quota NOCO.
Welcome Diana & Phyllis!
Quota Club of Northern Colorado 
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