Roaring Fork Valley teens transform one idea into $30,000
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The Aspen Teen Giving Circle surpassed its $20,000 goal just hours before its closing celebration on Wednesday, May 7, turning values of service and philanthropy into a reality in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Made of 30 high school students, the youth-led, interfaith initiative has been borne out since September 2024 in monthly meetings marrying Christian and Jewish ideologies; co-educators Rabbi Sima Oster of the Aspen Jewish Congregation and Dan Dangler, area director of Young Life, help guide the group.
With strategically targeted outreach on both an individual and a collaborative level, the students focused on fundraising efforts small and large to make an impact.
“We are so proud to have surpassed our goal,” said co-founder Alexis Berger in a press release. “Raising over $30,000 shows that teens can really make a difference, and that when our community gathers around a shared purpose, we can accomplish amazing things.”
The funds will benefit three nonprofits decided on and vetted by the teens:
- Response: Providing safe shelter and support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse
- Harvest for Hunger: Rescuing food to feed those in need while protecting recipient confidentiality
- The Meeting Place: Offering child care services to families in crisis
Each nonprofit’s director met with the group to discuss needs and guarantee every dollar will be utilized for “critical services,” according to the press release.
“Our meetings have taught us that generosity crosses all boundaries,” said co-founder Anna Dangler. “It fills us with pride to know that our efforts will directly support our neighbors in need, and that teen voices truly matter.”
The Aspen Community Foundation will also be collecting and distributing the funds with a 2:1 matching gift courtesy of Laura Lauder.
“This Giving Circle is not only a platform for teens to make a difference — it’s a model of what’s possible when we listen, collaborate, and learn from one another,” Oster said.
Erica Snow, executive director of the Aspen Community Foundation, also expressed gratitude for the initiative and its success.
“The Aspen Teen Giving Circle represents the best of what our valley has to offer,” Snow said. “These young people are leaders, changemakers, and role models. The Aspen Community Foundation is honored to partner with them in making their vision a reality.”
On Wednesday, the Aspen Teen Giving Circle hosted a closing celebration to present donation checks to the nonprofits. But for those interested, donations can still be made online at aspencf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1462.
“At a time when faith is so often a dividing line, these teens are showing the community and the world how it can be a force for connection and shared purpose,” Dangler said. “Their commitment to service and understanding is nothing short of inspiring.”
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From left, Dan Dangler, Anna Dangler, Alexis Berger, and Rabbi Sima Oster pose for a photo on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Erica Snow, executive director of the Aspen Community Foundation, talks at the Aspen Teen Giving Circle’s closing celebration on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Rabbi Sima Oster talks at the Aspen Teen Giving Circle’s closing celebration on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Organizer Cori Berger leads a round of applause during introductions at the Aspen Teen Giving Circle’s closing celebration on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Dan Dangler, area director of Young Life, talks at the Aspen Teen Giving Circle’s closing celebration on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Co-founders of Aspen Teen Giving Circle, Anna Dangler, left, and Alexis Berger talk on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A $10,000 check is presented to Harvest for Hunger by members of Aspen Teen Giving Circle on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Members of Aspen Teen Giving Circle pose for a photo with their award recipients on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Dan Dangler, right, area director of Young Life, and Rabbi Sima Oster talk on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Erin Wackerle, a board member with Response, talks on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen. Response was awarded with a $10,000 check by the Aspen Teen Giving Circle.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A $10,000 check is presented to Response board member Erin Wackerle, right, by Aspen Teen Giving Circle co-founders Alexis Berger, left, and Anna Dangler, center, during their awards celebration on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Dan Dangler, right, the area director of Young Life, hugs Aspen Teen Giving Circle co-founder Alexis Berger during their awards ceremony on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Co-founders of Aspen Teen Giving Circle, Anna Dangler, left, and Alexis Berger talk on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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Members of Aspen Teen Giving Circle pose for a group photo on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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A $10,000 check is presented to The Meeting Place by members of Aspen Teen Giving Circle on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Chabad Jewish Community Center in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
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