SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AT THE DENVER INDIAN CENTER
Since 2010 Rotary clubs in District 5450 have provided service, and financial support, at the Denver Indian Center, Inc., a 501c3 organization, existing to assist native Indians, and residents of the Westwood area, located on Morrison Rd. in southwest Denver, including assisting with Thanksgiving and Christmas projects, rebuilding its playground, contributing to its food bank, funding and fundraising, providing clothing of all kinds, particularly winter coats, scarfs, gloves and hats, providing, through a District Grant, materials and equipment to start a Montessori School; and in many other ways.
Recently the DICI has employed Brian Heider to work with organizations, like Rotary, that would like to physically and financially support the work of the DICI. Brian has provided a list of activities at the DICI where physical and financial support is needed.
That list includes the purchase and filling of backpacks for native youth; meal preparation for families at Thanksgiving; gift giving and wrapping of toys for children, and of meals at Christmas; work and funding for native elder monthly luncheons; assistance at a summer camp for native youth; assistance with native family nights at the DICI, including dinner and a movie; collecting new winter coats, scarfs, hats, and gloves for native boys and girls; providing funding to the DICI so it can obtain, for eligible natives, bus tickets and gas cards; supporting with help, Native Author Talks, where native writers want to appear at the DIC; and helping finance and prepare for a Native Book Fair, the second week of June, 2025, including donating, displaying, unpacking books.
The DIC also needs refurbishing of its reception area including paint, furnishings, rugs, and plants, which could be the subject of a District Grant.
Can your club help with any of these needs providing service and support to our indigenous brothers and sisters? Please call or write to Brian for information: Brian@Denverindiancenter.org, 303-241-4776.
The Director of the DIC is Rick Waters. Rick would be delighted to speak to your club about the work of the DIC. To line Rick up please call or write to Brian.