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Kudos and Kindness from Aspen Times readers (May 7, 2017)

Big props to ARC and AYC
Writing on behalf of Carbondale Middle School students, we would like to thank the Aspen Recreation Center and Aspen Youth Center for allowing us to spend time in their facility during a recent field trip to the Aspen Recreation Center. They have welcomed us for about a decade now. Our valley is truly blessed to have this valuable resource. Most towns could only dream of having a facility and organization like this.

As always, the Aspen Recreation Center was happy to host around 75 kids for the day. Not only do they do an amazing job accommodating for our large group each year, the staff is wonderful with the kids. They work extremely hard to make sure the kids are safe and having a fabulous time. We would like to give a special “shout out” to the very attentive lifeguards and Wes at the front desk for taking extra care of one of our students. And of course a thank-you to Frank Arenella, who sets up the day each year and makes sure that everything runs smoothly.

The Aspen Youth Center is a welcoming, safe and fabulous space for teens. This organization provides a structured setting for them to learn interpersonal skills, gain confidence and be in a secure environment. The staff are positive role models and have caring personalities and patience for every teen that walks through the door. Our students had a tremendous amount of fun in the Aspen Youth Center this year. If you are reading this, please consider making a donation to this treasured program right here in our backyard.

Thanks again to both the Aspen Recreation Center and Aspen Youth Center.
Sara Porter and Carbondale Middle School teachers and students

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Thrift Shop overwhelmed and grateful
To generous donors of the Aspen Thrift Shop,

Thank you so much for continuing to support our mission by donating gently used household items and clean clothing to be sold in the shop. We are currently overwhelmed with donations and find ourselves seriously challenged to sort and dispose of many items that are inappropriate for resale. It is very expensive to recycle or dispose of old electronics, pillows, mattresses, broken and dirty furniture and household items.

Our largest expense is waste disposal and we much prefer to spend the money on grants to deserving nonprofits. We hope you will be judicious as you tackle spring cleaning and bring us only things we can sell.
Due to your generosity, the Aspen Thrift Shop has been able to grant $615,000 to nonprofits in the valley, which includes $75,000 in college scholarships. We celebrate 68 years serving the valley with the many loyal community members who shop and donate. Thank you!

More information is available at http://www.aspenthriftshop.org.

Please deliver donations to our back door at 422 E. Hopkins Ave. during business hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Ellen Walbert
Co-president, Aspen Thrift Shop

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A dose of gratitude for Tad at Basalt Clinic Pharmacy
I want to take a moment to thank Tad Anderson at Basalt Clinic Pharmacy in downtown Basalt for always showing such kindness and a willingness to help. For every prescription I have ever filled, Tad always makes the time to explain exactly what I’m getting, proper dosage and the best way to take the medication. He went way above and beyond when I called him at home — after hours — in a panic after realizing my son’s critically important prescription had not been called in by the doctor’s office. Tad was kind enough to get in contact with the doctor to get the prescription and get me the much-needed medicine that same evening.

Thanks again Tad for reminding me through your actions just how wonderful it is to live in small-town Basalt.
With gratitude …
Diana Lane
Basalt

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Elks Lodge thanks volunteers, recognizes vets
Aspen Elks Lodge would like to thank our more than 300 volunteers who gave their time during the National Disabled Veterans 31st annual Winter Sports Clinic recently held in Snowmass. Over 3,600 hours were contributed during the event that brings in almost 400 veterans from all over the country.
During the clinic the veterans enjoyed kayaking, scuba diving, bowling, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, curling, skiing, scenic cats ride, hot springs, sled hockey and fishing. March 24 saw arrivals at the airport and continued through Saturday evening. Veterans, their families, caregivers and VA support staff, along with volunteer sports instructors arrived to a warm welcome.
Aspen Elks Lodge, Aspen-Pitkin County Airport staff, United Airlines employees, first responders from Snowmass Wildcat Fire, Basalt Fire, Aspen Fire, Mountain Rescue and the Glenwood Springs High School ROTC color guard all worked together in support of those who have served us. We were joined in this effort by members of Glenwood Springs and Rifle Elks Lodges, who provided lunch for veterans visiting the hot springs.
Our volunteers assisted with construction and deployment of ramps for accessibility at venues, hot catered more than 2,100 lunches at three venues, food and beverages both in and outbound at the airport, transfers on arrival and departure with volunteers assisting with wheelchairs and other adaptive gear, assistance at most sporting events, and even dancers for the evening balls and concerts. Individual volunteers contributed between one and 100 hours each in pre-event preparation and the eight days of the event.

Several families saw multiple generations participating and many of our members who now live in other cities returned to volunteer.

It was our great honor and privilege to serve our soldiers and their families.
As long as there are Elks, our Veterans will never be forgotten.
Thank you.
Aspen Elks Lodge No. 224