left to right: Brad Hoopes, Franklin Taggart, Ann Baron, Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, Carrie Thompson, Kristin Watts
Our annual Ordinary Extraordinary People Award banquet was held on Tuesday, October 1, 2019. We recognized the go givers and those who inspire us in Northern Colorado. They are folks who live in Northern Colorado and give back to our community to make it a better place to live
Congratulations to our top 6 Honorees for the 2019 Ordinary Extraordinary People Award. This is quite an honor. We are excited and inspired by each honoree They have selflessly given back to the community and we are excited to recognize these inspiring people.
Top six honorees are listed here, male & female, and by alphabetical order by first name:
Brad Hoopes
Brad Hoopes has honored Northern Colorado Veterans for many years through several nonprofit organizations such as Honor Flight, Pam Vets, and Veterans Plaza. He started a free magazine called “Remember and Honor” dedicated to the belief that veterans deserve to have their stories permanently recorded. He has video recorded veterans and turn those videos into DVDs.
Franklin Taggart, Consultant at the Loveland SBDC
Franklin Taggart takes details notes and really listens. Franklin has an incredible ability to help people see their deeper and wider impact. He has an “Inbox Encouragement” and his weekly email with heartfelt and though provoking stories. He gives so much to the community through his own businesses, his podcast, his hours at the SBDC and teaching throughout the area.
Visit their website: https://www.franklintaggart.com/
Jason Brabson, Heart & Soul Paratransit
Jason Brabson, is a man who constantly gives to his community in immeasurable ways. His company is Heart & Soul Paratransit and this big-hearted company arranges transportation for kidney dialysis patients who need a ride, older folks going to the doctor or hospital.
Heart and Soul Paratransit recognizes their role in the community as filling a great need. The importance of finding a reliable transportation service cannot be underestimated. They believe transportation is paramount to obtaining total and complete care.
Visit the website: http://heartandsoulparatransit.com
Carrie Thompson, Business Equipment Sales & Service
Through Carrie’s position as volunteer coordinator at Hearts and Horses over a period of seven years she grew the volunteer base from 200 to 1,500 volunteers per year. She has also helped or volunteered with 137 Homeless Connection, Loveland Youth Gardeners, Loveland House Assisted Living, Realities for Children, and mentoring youth. This year she coordinated an effort to gift a free video to three nonprofits which is a $10,000 donation value.
Visit their Website: https://www.besofcolorado.com/
Kristin Watts, Founder and Executive Director Project 31:25
Kristin Watts started a nonprofit called Project 31:25 three years ago after her personal experience with domestic violence. She found a way to give back to the community. Kristin has single-handedly created a safety net of service oriented companies and individuals to help victims of domestic violence chart a way out of abusive situations. To date she has supported 150 families with 87% pf them living abuse free, self-sustaining lives.
Visit the Website: https://project3125.org/
Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, founder of Dance Express
Mary Elizabeth Lenahan formed Dance Express over 30 years ago. This was started to express the love of a sister and honoring the spirit of her special-needs sibling. Mary Elizabeth has enriched the lives of hundreds of young adults with or without disabilities through showing them their unique beauty through dance. At a personal level, they sometimes for the first time, find a safe space to gain positive self-esteem, find a positive outlet for self-expression and the joy of being proud of their accomplishments.
Visit their Website: http://www.danceexpressfc.com/
