We're Part of Your Community
Our proud tradition of community service instills in our children the value of helping others. Annually, we organize and participate in fundraising events that benefit organizations such as our local fire departments, community libraries, food banks and homeless coalition.
As an example, check out some of the programs our Denver, Colorado area centers have organized or been involved in:
- Sweetheart Dance/Fundraisers: In February of 2003 and 2004, we held our annual Sweetheart Dance for our parents and their children. In 2003 we donated $900 to "Step Right Up for Kids". This event benefited several Colorado children's charities including: Adam's Camp, Adaptive Adventures, Cheley/Children's Hospital Burn Camp, Ice Breakers, and the The Denver ChopHouse Foundation. In 2004 we raised $1400 for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (children). These funds were designated to buy desperately needed supplies for the child care center that is owned and operated by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless serving underprivileged children in the Denver metro area
- Budding Artist Month/Fundraiser: Each year March is "Budding Artist Month" at Gateway Academy and our little artists create masterpieces each week with different animal themes. In March of 2003 the artwork was displayed throughout the center and sold at our Grand Finale Art Show with the proceeds benefiting the Colorado Dumb Friends League. The proceeds from this event in 2004 will be added to the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (children) fund
- Rocky Mountain Luau/Fundraiser: Our Rocky Mountain Luau is a fun summer event for our families with a carnival like atmosphere. We raise money by selling tickets for admission, games, activities, and refreshments. The highlight of last year's luau was a family costume contest and a "Dunk Tank." This year all proceeds will benefit the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (children)
- Back-to-School Science Night/School Supply Drives: In August 2002 and 2003 we organized our annual Back-to School Science Night and School Supply Drive. The school supplies drive is designed to ensure all children get off to a successful start for the school year. We donated all the school supplies collected to elementary schools in the local community in need of additional supplies for their children
- Library Fundraisers: In September of 2002 we promoted our "Bag of Books Drive" in effort to increase literacy in our communities. Collectively we received 1074 donated books, for all ages, which in turn we donated to our community libraries. In 2003 we named September our "Loving Literacy Month" and sold child size Gateway backpacks to raise for money for our local libraries. Our five centers were able to raise and donate $675 to the libraries in their communities
- Annual Fall Festival/Fundraisers: The end of October each year we host a Fall Festival with proceeds from our fundraiser benefiting our local fire departments. The fire department receives a cash donation from us that is allocated to programs such as Child Passenger Safety and the Juvenile Fire Setter Program. In addition, a portion of the money is used to purchase teddy bears that are donated to our local fire departments. The teddy bears are used by the firefighters to calm distressed children. In 2002 all teddy bears were purchased at Kohl's Department Stores where 100% of the cost of the bears went back to The Children's Hospital. In 2003 the teddy bears were purchased at a great discount from Toys-R-Us. Total money raised in 2002 was approximately $1500 and in 2003 approximately $2600
- Annual Holiday Food Drives: In November of 2002 we organized a "Soup for Seniors" Food Drive. We collected from our families over 700 cans of soup and other goods that we donated to the Food Bank of the Rockies. In 2003 we participated in the annual event hosted by our local NBC affiliate, "9Cares Colorado Shares". This effort is the largest ONE-DAY food, clothing, and toy drive in the region, we were able to collect over 60 large box loads and deliver our contribution to the downtown drop off site by our 5 Gateway busses