Upcoming Events
Make a HUGE impact by just spending 30 minutes a week – Feeding The Future
WRBA members, please volunteer today to help Feeding the Future on the 1st Thur of each month at Stevens Elementary, 38th and High Ct.
We’re looking for volunteers to help pack weekend food sacks at Stevens Elementary School in Wheat Ridge. If interested, please show up on Stevens Elementary (38th & High Ct. – 7101 W 38th Ave. ) on Thursdays. (Every Thursdays during the school year). Check in at the school office by 8:20am. More volunteers we have, faster we can finish.
For questions and more information, please contact James Normandin at jnormandin@cotable.org or (720) 573-6300.
*** WRBA is committed to help as a group with the bagging on the 1st and the 5th Thursdays. You are welcome to help at any or all Thursdays during the school year!
WRBA Days are 1st and 5th Thursdays.
September 7
October 5
November 2 & 30
December 7
January 4
February 1 & 29
March 7
April 4
May 2
Check in at office by 8:20, should be done by 9 am. 7101 W. 38th Ave.
Thank you for your support! – Feeding the Future Cash Donation Drive
Every year, we collect cash donations to benefit Wheat Ridge Feeding the Future Backpack Program at the November Meeting and the December Holiday Luncheon, as well as online donations. As a result, we collected $538 offline and $365 online totaling $903. The WRBA matched $500 of the donation.
This year, our member, Community Choice Credit Union generously matched the WRBA’s matching for $500! Wow – thanks to your community-minded support!
(Photo: The Staff at Community Choice Credit Union presenting the donation matching check to the WRBA!)
So, Grand total of $1903 was delivered to Community Table, who administers the Wheat Ridge Feeding the Future program by some of our board members. We nearly doubled the donation collected this year – Great job all!!
(Photo from left to right – Simon McGowan, Lowrey Burnett, Maki DeLaet, James Normandin, Jeremy Laufer, Cheryl Garcia)
What is Feeding the Future Backpack Program?
In order for the students to qualify for the Feeding the Future Backpack program, which provides them with nutritious food for the weekend during the school year, the families used to be required to fill out the application each year to qualify for the free/reduced school lunches. With the recent changes to that rule, the program now covers ALL students automatically (they can opt-out to receive the support). This change suddenly increased the demand for the food as well as the volunteers to bag the food to be sent home dramatically.
The WRBA is committed to help volunteer the 1st and 5th Thursdays during the school year to help with the bagging at Stevens Elementary School.
We’re looking for volunteers to help pack weekend food sacks at Stevens Elementary School in Wheat Ridge. If interested, please show up on Stevens Elementary (38th & High Ct. – 7101 W 38th Ave. ) on Thursdays. (Every Thursdays during the school year). Check in at the school office by 8:20am. More volunteers we have, faster we can finish.
Remaining dates this school year are: February 29, March 7, April 4, May 2 ** You are welcome to come volunteer on any Thursdays during the school year.
For questions and more information, please contact James Normandin at jnormandin@cotable.org or (720) 573-6300.
Ribbon Cutting – Thursday, April 4, 3pm
Join us and Mayor Bud Starker for a Ribbon Cutting on
Thursday, April 4 at
3:00 p.m. Illegal Pete’s, 10009 W. 26th Ave., Wheat Ridge
(Gold’s Marketplace)
Ribbon Cutting – Thursday, April 4, 4pm
Join us and Mayor Bud Starker for a Ribbon Cutting on
Thursday, April 4 at
4:00 p.m. The Cutting Room, 10091 W. 26th Ave., Wheat Ridge
(Gold’s Marketplace)
April 2024 Meeting
*** RSVP for this meeting by 5pm on Thursday, April 4. No walk-ins are permitted. ***
Location: The Vista at Applewood Golf Course – 14001 W 32nd Ave. Golden, CO 80401
Cost: $20 for WRBA Members and their guests, $25 for Non-members (*Please see below) How to register as a guest >>
Topic: “State of the City”
Speaker: Patrick Goff, Wheat Ridge City Manager
President’s Circle Member Business Spotlight: Darin Hammerschmidt, CFP, WealthClarity
Patron Member Business Spotlight: Simon McGowan, Rocky Mountain Insurance Network and Tanner Tom, Top Rail Fence Front Range
Speaker – Patrick Goff, Wheat Ridge City Manager
This year Patrick Goff celebrates twenty-two years with the City of Wheat Ridge coming on board in 2002. He has served as City Manager for fourteen years. Before coming to Wheat Ridge, he held public sector positions in Sheridan, Colorado and Westminster, Colorado.
In 2012 Mr. Goff received the Strategic Leadership and Governance Award from the International City/County Management Association recognizing innovative local government programs and processes. In 2014 the Colorado City and County Management Association selected him as the City Manager of the Year recognizing his leadership skills, inspirational hands-on management style, and dedication and commitment to the employees and community he serves.
Patrick received a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Graduate School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado Denver. He received Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of Nebraska.
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*IMPORTANT PLEASE READ – About our Monthly Meeting
- Our monthly meeting tickets are:
Member – $20 per person (member and member paying for their guests. Must be logged in to their member account)
Non-member – $25 per person (guests visiting the second time and returning past members) - Punch card is $100 for 5 punches. (Available for members only. Credit is loaded into your member account)
- Annual meal package is $225 for the whole year (10 meetings @$20/ea plus 1 holiday luncheon @$25/ea. We will still RSVP for you automatically and if you can’t make it, you are encouraged to send in someone else in your place. This is a use-it-or-lose-it program with your convenience in mind).
- The WRBA will cover the first meeting for prospective members. (Need a completed guest card), Second time visitor is $25
Additional persons attending from the member business or guests of a member, if registered by the member logged in to their account, is $20/ea. - Each meeting ticket includes hot breakfast, but not eating the breakfast WILL NOT excuse you from needing a ticket as we submit the headcount to the venue and pay for it. Please consider the ticket price as cost for the great networking opportunity and information you will receive. No-shows will be invoiced, unless notified BEFORE the RSVP is closed.
Join us for April Biz Mix
Please register from the form below so we know how many people to expect.
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 5:00-7:00pm
Location: LaDawn Sperling, Coldwell Banker Realty – 9255 W Alameda Ave, Suite H, Lakewood, CO 80226 (Alameda & Garrison)
Bring your business cards, your friends & family and come ready to network.
Register for Biz Mix
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Every Member Drawing for Biz Mix
How does it work? – We have names of all WRBA members, Yes ALL member; not just the ones who are there, in the barrel and during the event, we’ll draw one (1) name. If your name is called and you are present, you win $100 cash! If you are not there, then we’ll return the name to the barrel for next month’s drawing and add the unclaimed $100 to the following month’s $100 and the prize next month becomes $200, and so on. To claim the cash, you must be present and must be a WRBA member in good standing (with dues current). Not only it’s a free event, you as a WRBA member may win cash for just being there.
*If you are up for renewal prior to this, please renew your membership to make sure your membership is in good standing. If you are not a member, yet, join before the drawing then we will add your name to the barrel.
We are up to $400 this month!
Coffee Networking in the Morning – Let’s meet outside!
Please register for this FREE monthly business networking event.
Date: Wednesday, April 24
Time: 8-9am
Location: Ziggi’s Coffee – 2900 Youngfield, St., Wheat Ridge
Free event – bring your business cards and invite your colleagues who may benefit from meeting new people
Sign up HERE >>
Sign up NOW! – Volunteer judges needed for WRHS Capstone Project!
Dear WRHS Farmer Supporter,
The Wheat Ridge High School Senior Capstone Project is an intensive, research-based project that demonstrates the culmination of our students’ academic achievement while at Wheat Ridge High School. The Capstone consists of extensive research, the creation of a product associated with this research, the organization of a portfolio detailing this process, and a presentation to the community. These Capstone presentations will take place on May 2, 2024, from 5:15-8:00 PM, we will also have a dinner for our volunteers from 4:30-5:05 PM.
In order to make this evening a success, we depend on volunteers from the Wheat Ridge and surrounding communities to listen to and evaluate our seniors as they present their projects. The topics vary from sustainable architecture to the effects of music on learning. Over the years, many of you have played a valuable role in making this evening a success, and we hope you will consider volunteering your time again. As a judge, you will join a panel of other community leaders and members to watch, listen, and provide feedback to the students as well as the senior teachers. Judges’ comments do not affect a student’s grade; however, feedback is important to the students as they develop the public speaking and presentation skills necessary for the real world. There are no requirements to be a judge other than a willingness to participate and enjoy the evening.
Once again, your participation is an essential part to this enjoyable experience and gives you a chance to learn more about the students in our community.
If you would like to volunteer, please fill out this FORM.
Additionally, if you have colleagues, friends, or family members who would like to participate please feel free to forward this email to them.
Thank you in advance for your support of this event as well as Wheat Ridge High School. Please know that even if you are not able to devote the entire evening to judging you are welcome to observe a few of our senior presentations.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Jennifer Marquez.
Wheat Ridge High School Capstone Team
What is Capstone Project? Watch this video to learn a bit about it -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOnlEkgJiNM
May 2024 Meeting
*** RSVP for this meeting by 5pm on Thursday, May 9. No walk-ins are permitted. ***
Location: The Vista at Applewood Golf Course – 14001 W 32nd Ave. Golden, CO 80401
Cost: $20 for WRBA Members and their guests, $25 for Non-members (*Please see below) How to register as a guest >>
Topic: “The Latest Trends in Financial Fraud”
Speaker: Jerod Blincoe, Treasury Management Senior Specialist, FirstBank
Takeaways:
- To understand fraud trends and the threats they pose to small businesses
- Where these fraud attacks are coming from and what attackers are looking for
- Providing solutions and tools to protect yourself and organizations
President’s Circle Member Business Spotlight: Bob Dubois, Paramount Roofing and Kayla Burby, Community Choice Credit Union
Patron Member Business Spotlight: Suzanne Smith, Food for Thought Catering
Speaker – Jerod Blincoe, Treasury Management Senior Specialist, FirstBank
Jerod is a Senior Specialist in FirstBank’s Treasury Management department. He started as a Teller in 2004 and became an Assistant Branch Manager in 2017. Jerod trained New Account Representatives in the North Market to build customer relationships. He enjoys working with commercial customers to help alleviate any pain points in their banking relationship to improve efficiencies.
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*IMPORTANT PLEASE READ – About our Monthly Meeting
- Our monthly meeting tickets are:
Member – $20 per person (member and member paying for their guests. Must be logged in to their member account)
Non-member – $25 per person (guests visiting the second time and returning past members) - Punch card is $100 for 5 punches. (Available for members only. Credit is loaded into your member account)
- Annual meal package is $225 for the whole year (10 meetings @$20/ea plus 1 holiday luncheon @$25/ea. We will still RSVP for you automatically and if you can’t make it, you are encouraged to send in someone else in your place. This is a use-it-or-lose-it program with your convenience in mind).
- The WRBA will cover the first meeting for prospective members. (Need a completed guest card), Second time visitor is $25
Additional persons attending from the member business or guests of a member, if registered by the member logged in to their account, is $20/ea. - Each meeting ticket includes hot breakfast, but not eating the breakfast WILL NOT excuse you from needing a ticket as we submit the headcount to the venue and pay for it. Please consider the ticket price as cost for the great networking opportunity and information you will receive. No-shows will be invoiced, unless notified BEFORE the RSVP is closed.
June 2024 Meeting
*** RSVP for this meeting by 5pm on Thursday, June 6. No walk-ins are permitted. ***
Location: The Vista at Applewood Golf Course – 14001 W 32nd Ave. Golden, CO 80401
Cost: $20 for WRBA Members and their guests, $25 for Non-members (*Please see below) How to register as a guest >>
Topic: “Share Your Insider Nuggets of Business Brilliance Panel”
Moderators: Margie Seyfer and Simon McGowan
You are the meeting! The Rapid Change Panel is back! Based on the WRBA member survey results, you want more programs focused on you sharing your best business practices. Each attendee will have an opportunity to share insider business tips. How do you advise customers when purchasing your product/service? What should they heed when shopping for your service/product?
Here’s how it works:
- Share knowledge that will make our members more savvy buyers when looking for the service/product you provide.
- You’ll have up to three opportunities and up to one minute to share your helpful tips.
- Take away valuable tips and information from this fun fast-paced knowledge share.
President’s Circle Member Business Spotlight: Steve Whitney, GIA – Group Insurance Analysts, Inc.
Patron Member Business Spotlight: Dan Ryan, Dan the Window Man
Moderators – Margie Seyfer and Simon McGowan
Margie is a retired speaker/trainer. Simon is a WRBA Patron Level board member and VP of Sales & Marketing at Rocky Mountain Insurance Network.
******************************************************
*IMPORTANT PLEASE READ – About our Monthly Meeting
- Our monthly meeting tickets are:
Member – $20 per person (member and member paying for their guests. Must be logged in to their member account)
Non-member – $25 per person (guests visiting the second time and returning past members) - Punch card is $100 for 5 punches. (Available for members only. Credit is loaded into your member account)
- Annual meal package is $225 for the whole year (10 meetings @$20/ea plus 1 holiday luncheon @$25/ea. We will still RSVP for you automatically and if you can’t make it, you are encouraged to send in someone else in your place. This is a use-it-or-lose-it program with your convenience in mind).
- The WRBA will cover the first meeting for prospective members. (Need a completed guest card), Second time visitor is $25
Additional persons attending from the member business or guests of a member, if registered by the member logged in to their account, is $20/ea. - Each meeting ticket includes hot breakfast, but not eating the breakfast WILL NOT excuse you from needing a ticket as we submit the headcount to the venue and pay for it. Please consider the ticket price as cost for the great networking opportunity and information you will receive. No-shows will be invoiced, unless notified BEFORE the RSVP is closed.
No Meeting in July
No Meeting in July – please attend the Biz Mix and the Coffee for summer time networking opportunities!