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Letters: Kudos and Kindness

Hurt cyclist grateful for TLC

On Aug. 21, I had a cycling accident near Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale. I would like to thank the two women who stopped to help me. Thank you for the calm way in which you cared for me until the paramedics arrived. Thanks too for taking my bike to the fire station for safekeeping. To my paramedics, Ron and Chris, their colleagues, and to the staff of Valley View hospital, I am grateful for your care.

Barbara Margolis



Basalt and Western Springs, Illinois




Jewish community empowers veteran

On behalf of Yinon Cohen, Tel Aviv, Israel, I would like to thank the local Jewish community for helping to make his dream come true. Because of the generosity and genuine concern of those of you who cared and contributed to Golshim L’Chaim-Ski To Live for his benefit, Yinon is no longer destined to spend his life in a wheelchair.

During his visit here in Aspen, he proudly showed off his new carbon fiber prosthetic legs, as well as his deep appreciation. It is truly amazing what our small community can do to change a person’s fate. When I dropped Yinon and his wife Merav at the airport, he told me that now he feels like he has “power,” and intends to try to help other amputees in Israel. This brave disabled IDF veteran expressed hope toward a future that includes walking, running, swimming and biking-things we tend to take for granted. He now has the confidence to be a “normal” father. This is truly tikkun olam, repairing the world through the mitzvah of helping one person.

I am humbled by this accomplishment, and by the unwavering support of my efforts by Rabbi Mintz of the Aspen Jewish Community Center. To all those who helped make this happen, thank you Neshama Center and Aspen Jewish Congregation for your contributions, and to all the mensches near and far!

Nina Zale

Aspen

Rain no deterrent for Aspen Strong

On Saturday, Aug. 23, at Herron Park and Smuggler Mountain, the Aspen Strong Foundation held their first annual event, Hike Hope Heal, to connect the community at large in raising awareness for mental health in the Roaring Fork Valley. It was also the same day that Aspen experienced perhaps the most rain of the entire summer. Nonetheless, myself, the Aspen Strong Board and our 30 volunteers gathered at the wee hours in the morning and waited for the community to join us. “Rain or shine, you make your own good time!” My aunt would say. And that we did.

As the morning came and went, the event blossomed into everything I could never imagine. A whole community from the entire valley took part in this event to give a voice to mental health. From representatives of mental health providers distributing information at the event: Away Out, Aspire, Aspen Hope, NAMI, Youth Zone, Public Health, Wind Walkers, & Julie Martin Counseling; to volunteers: Jaywalker, Aspire, and community members and mental health providers along the valley — to hikers and partakers from Aspen, Aspen School District, all the way to Glenwood — rain and clouds didn’t stand in our way! The day had more symbolism related to our efforts than anyone could plan, especially the double rainbow giving us hope and meaning that this was just the way it was suppose to be. It was a beautiful illustration of how to proceed when life necessarily doesn’t go as we planned it.

This event has so many people to thank for its success, most especially Lawrence Altman and his beautiful family, Joan, Casey, Brook, and Drew; our event sponsors: Devlin Financial Services, Smiddy Limo, Balentine Collections, The Aspen Store, Aspen Fire Department, CBarnes Construction and Forum Phi.

Also, to our in-kind sponsor Heidi Hat, High Society, Aspen Paragliding, Ajax Technologies, Steve Sand, Sammy’s, Aspen Sports Chiropractic, Oakley, Injinji, Bundles Gift, Lyndsay Haynie, Chris Klug, Salon MYO, Kenichi, Jimmy’s, Grateful Deli, SaraBFit, Worldlife Water, SuCasa, City Market, Clark’s, Paradise Bakery, Louis’ Swiss, Starbucks, the Big Wrap, Elements Behavioral Health, St. Mary’s Church, Aspen Daily News, Aspen Peak Magazine, The Local’s Show, KSNO, Aspen Public Radio, and Aspen 82.

Thank you to our dedicated volunteers. Thank you to my amazing family and friends, and also to the Aspen Strong Board: Lawrence Altman, Steve Psaledakis, Kathleen Callahan, and Jonathan Birnkrant. The amount of love and respect I have for my family, friends and for the Aspen Strong Board who supported me and this event cannot quite be expressed in words.

Lastly, thank you to the city of Aspen and Pitkin County.

For all who donated time, money, and efforts, please know that all proceeds from this event will directly benefit the Mental Health Fund that financially supports residents along the valley to receive mental health and addiction treatment that could otherwise not afford it. For more information about the Aspen Strong Foundation, please visit our website at AspenStrong.org.

Christina M. King

Aspen

A wonderful lunch for the Thrift Shop

Thank you once again to the anonymous gentleman who delivered a wonderful hot lunch along with homemade cookies and banana bread to the ladies of the Aspen Thrift Shop. Please know that we’re truly appreciative of your thoughtfulness and kind note.

Thank you, thank you!

Friday B’s, Aspen Thrift Shop