Charities in the Roaring Fork Valley

We love the idea and the spirit of #GivingTuesday but what makes Aspen Snowmass and the entire Roaring Fork Valley so special is that the giving never stops. This is a community that relies on one another in times of need; no one expects anything, but everybody is happy to offer a helping hand or ask for one when in need. As we go into the holiday season, it’s more important than ever that we remind ourselves how lucky and grateful we are to live in this mountain town. It’s a place like no other and in order to keep it that way, we have to be intentional about sharing our time, resources, and love. Here are five local charities that we want to highlight!

 

One of the biggest tragedies of living in Aspen Snowmass is the surprisingly high suicide rate. There are a number of reasons we could point to, but all that matters is that we acknowledge it is not always blue skies. This foundation helps raise awareness and improve mental health in the Roaring Fork Valley. The goal is to promote dialogue where suicide is recognized as preventable and mental wellness is embraced and supported within our community.

 

The public school system is part of the backbone of this community. Walker attended K-12 in the Aspen School District and it was the best education he could have asked for and a lot of the teachers and coaches are still in his life; the journey has come full circle and he is now helping coach the AHS Football team. This organization works with the administrators and community to identify needs and support our local students and their education.

 

 

What kind of ski town would we have without world class facilities, coaches, and athletes? With multiple Olympians and X Games athletes going through these doors, this organization is top of its class. And even for those of us that never competed at a professional level, they help teach children the importance of discipline and respecting the mountains.

 

 

Started by AHS graduates, this organization created a community-led organization dedicated to advancing the economic and personal development of the women and children in Nakuwadde, Uganda, through greater access to education and other life-changing resources. Walker and Caroline have both spent significant time in Uganda volunteering at ‘The Center’ and continue to be on the Junior Advisor Boards.

 

 

When going into the mountains, you need to be educated, prepared, and practice safety. This organization ensures that all of us who spend time exploring our beautiful valley have the resources to be intelligent explorers and to also provide a safety net just in case anything goes wrong.