BOO rito donation to charity

Chipotle is a Colorado-based mexican food restaurant that prides themselves on natural ingredients and local farm suppliers. And, on Halloween, they have an amazing offer. If you show up in costume at any Chipotle location on Halloween night, you can get a Chipotle burrito of your choice for only $2! So you get to look silly and get delicious food for super cheap. What could be better? How about the fact that Chipotle will donate the first million dollars of Halloween sales to the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, a non-profit that works to provide sustainable, healthy farm practices.

Many people are upset at having to pay $2, because just a few year ago the burritos were free. But I think that nutrition and health are causes worth supporting. So if you're not busy this Halloween, consider stopping by your nearest Chipotle to snag an awesome burrito AND help out a worthy non-profit!

For more information on Chipotle's Boorito event click here.

Local Habitat Affiliate Celebrates Milestone, First Volunteer Shares Lessons Learned

By Alex Statham

Clive Rainey, Habitat's "First Volunteer" speaks to Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver staff and supporters on Wednesday. Photo by Alex Statham

When Clive Rainey first got involved with Habitat for Humanity International in 1977, he figured he would only serve as a temporary volunteer. 33 years later, he has contributed thousands of hours of manual labor, held directory roles both in the United States and overseas, and is globally known as Habitat’s first volunteer. On Wednesday, he shared some of those experiences at Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s (HFHMD) 500^th Home Celebration.

“I can’t help myself, I want to promote what [Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver] is doing, and tell the world what [they] are doing and keep people excited about this because we still have a long way to go,” Rainey said.

Since it was founded in 1979, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver has housed nearly 2,00 individuals in the state of Colorado, and will soon finish construction on their 500^th home in the Denver metro area. Rainey said that, in addition to providing a safe, affordable place to live, each home built created new opportunities for the family that would live there, “When you believe in someone, it’s like you put them on your shoulders. Suddenly they can see farther than they ever could before, and can achieve goals they never thought possible.”

Stephanie Booth, a single-mom with three children, will move into the 500^th home at the end of next month. The small basement room she shares with her three kids is cramped, and often times sewage from the upstairs complex floods their space. For her, this home will represent a new start, “I wanted to show my kids that I would always be there for them, and we cannot wait to start our new life and leave the past behind us.”

The 500^th home celebration kicks off HFHMD’s ambitious 5-year plan to build another 500 homes by 2017. In addition to constructing homes from the ground up, the Denver affiliate will also renovate apartments and homes that become available in the local housing market, and provide emergency repairs to surrounding neighborhoods.

“It’s an ambitious goal, but with the combined efforts of our volunteers, partners, donors and community members I know we can get there,” Heather Lafferty, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, said. 

Graphic by Alex Statham

You'll find the full event video below:

Video by Alex Statham and Habitat Staff

Craving Pizza?

If you're anything like me, at least one night of the week the last thing you want to do is slave over the stove to make dinner. Also, if you're anything like me, pizza sounds good regardless of the day, time, or weather. So why not order a pizza this week and help a good cause while you're at it.

Pizza Fusion, located off of East Colfax in Denver, has some of the most stellar pizza I have ever tasted. They only use natural ingredients, and their stores and business practices are eco-friendly. But perhaps the most amazing thing about Pizza Fusion is that their staff is comprised almost entirely of individuals from The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. That means that in addition to making hot, cheesy goodness they are also providing valuable work experience and training for the homeless. These are skills that can help them obtain future jobs and careers. Plus, a portion of their proceeds channel back to supporting the Coalition and their mission. So if you're hungry and in the Dever Metro area, consider ordering from Pizza Fusion. It's just as delicious, but so much better for our community.

Order Here!

http://pizzafusion.com/denver026/

CSU Students Give Back

Every fall, Colorado State University sponsors "Cans Around the Oval," an event that combines students and the surrounding Fort Collins community to provide food for those in need. Throughout the month of October, CSU students canvass nearby neighborhoods and collect non-perishable donations from the homes. Students raise awareness on campus by hosting "CANstruction" where students construct impressive sculptures from the cans they have collected. By the end of the event, CSU collects around 64,000 pounds of food and raises over $30,000 for local food banks. For more information about the event, or to see how you can get involved next year, visit:

http://www.slice.colostate.edu/cans-around-the-oval.aspx 

5K Run Benefits Homeless

Looking to burn off some extra calories before the big Thanksgiving feast? Consider running in the 4th Annual "Home for the Holidays 5K and Family Fun Run," hosted by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Pets are welcome to join, and all ages and ability levels are invited to run, jog or walk in the event. Proceeds from the event help local homeless families throughout the harsh winter months.

Race Information:
When: November 3, 2012
Where: Denver's City Park
Cost: $25-$35 depending on when you sign up
    - Includes t-shirt, goody bags, and admission into a post-race event with fun activities for all ages. 

To Register:
http://www.coloradocoalition.org/events/srd-annual-5k/5k-race-registration.aspx

Keeping Kids Warm

Since 1982, local news station ABC 7 has partnered with Dependable Cleaners to host "Coats for Colorado," a statewide event that provides warm winter coats to individuals and families in need. Since its creation, Coats for Colorado has donated almost 2 million coats, and last year alone they collected 77,000 coats. This year's event kicked off on October 1st, but you can bring gently used winter coats to a drop off location near you through the end of November.