Today is the last day to make donations for the “Grand Give,” says Catherine Ross.

“We’re very proud of the community for stepping up and being so generous,” said The Winter Park-Fraser Valley Chamber of Commerce executive director. “People are happy that we did it. They’re excited that we’re reaching out and doing something different.”

The Chamber, Grand Foundation and Sky-Hi Daily News are sponsoring the first “Grand Give,” inspired by “Oprah’s Big Give.”

The Chamber will thank members for their support today at the Seventh Annual Chamber Member Appreciation Party and Grand Give Celebration.

Community members have been encouraged to make donations of goods, services or cash to struggling Grand County individuals and families. Mountain Family Center is the beneficiary; the non-profit organization helps Grand County individuals and families through its foodbank, homeless prevention and rental assistance.

“Each day, I hear stories from families who are truly struggling,” says Mandi Appelhans, a Mountain Family Center family advocate. “These are the local working class that makes a fair living. Usually, just one unforeseen incident — a medical situation, a car breakdown or job layoff creates a situation that challenges a household’s ability to remain self-sufficient.”

Fowler & Peth and The Roofing Company, both located in Granby, teamed up to make a donation.

Fowler & Peth will donate 2,500-square-feet of shingles; while The Roofing Company will give 3,000-square-feet of ice & water shield materials. Installation is needed for both.

Fowler & Peth Branch Manager Bill Eaton said The Roofing Company asked if they were interested in making a donation.

“I had to get it approved my by my corporate,” Eaton said. “They were extremely happy to be a part of this. We’re a relatively new business here ... We want to support the county as much as we can.”

The Roofing Company, which owns Rocky Mountain Spray Foam, also appreciates the “Grand Give.”

“We’re happy to help out people in need,” said Joe Gould, Rocky Mountain Spray Foam Manager, who also serves on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Some people have pledged donations to Mountain Family Center. “It will just be available when they can find a family who can use it,” Ross said.

Ross said $20 doesn’t sound like much, but it is to those who need help filling up their gas tanks.

“That level of contribution’s very useful to Mountain Family Center,” she said. “It is a good way to contribute.

Mountain Family Center has been serving people in Grand County since 1979. All of the gifts and funds will go directly to people in need. The center is the “filter agency,” said Mountain Family Center Executive Director Jill Korkowski.

Grand Foundation will help track all the donations and report the project’s outcome.

Ross said residents are always able to make donations to Mountain Family Center.

“We are looking forward to doing it again next year,” she said. “We know that Grand County will keep on giving.”

Here is a list of businesses & individuals who have donated to Grand Give thus far:

• Fowler & Peth - 2500 square feet of shingles (installation needed)

• The Roofing Company 3000 square feet of ice & water shield materials (installation needed).

• The Roofing Company – Food drive until end of July

• Dorm-size fridge for college student

• Gerry Ashbach - 2 over stove microwaves, 1 stove, 1 dishwasher

• The Trash Company - Trash removal for 1 renovation project

• Rocky Mtn Dog Ranch - Boarding for 2 days/nights for a dog

• Grand Foundation – Donating money

• Grand County Blues Society - 6 sets of tickets each for Sat. & Sun. for Blues From the Top Festival. Plus $200 toward musicians to play at the June 19th celebration party.

• Tim Connelly & Terry Thompkins are playing complimentary for the party - $200 towards MFC

• Winter Park Chateau - Bedding, range, bath & kitchen items

• Granby Rodeo - Summer food drive

• Logger Lane Townhomes - Helping with college student w/ supplies. Plus (2) 2 night stay in Logger Lane Townhomes

• No Moosin' Around Lodging Services, LLC - (4) $10 gift cards to Alco

• Miller Storage – Donated a unit for 2 months.

• Arapaho Chiropractic - Sponsoring Miller Storage unit for one month ($100)

• Sushi Bar - Sponsoring Miller Storage unit for one month ($100)

• Griz - Suppling 3 households with firewood the winter season

• Hernando’s Pizza & Pasta Pub - Giving 4/$50 certificates

• Brad Smith/Terra Firma - Sponsoring 2 kids for a British Soccer Camp

• FV Rec District – Sponsoring kids for summer camp.

• WPFV Chamber of Commerce – Hosting Grand Give Party

• Special thanks to Mairi Nelson, Anne Kressler & Danielle Longano for all their efforts with this event.

* Still more to come

Wish List for the Grand Give

• Cleaning crew for homebound elders

• Sponsor kids for summer sports and recreation programs

• School uniforms for middle school kids

• Mortgage payoff for a family

• Playground equipment for the Mountain Family Center preschool

• Summer camp scholarships

• Summer recreation scholarships

• College scholarships for book, meal, ect.

• Dorm accessories for a college student

• School clothes

• Crock pots for soup kitchen set up

• Split wood and deliver to a family

• Shelter for a night

• Redesign space at the Mountain Family Center for efficiency and productivity

• Child care expenses

• Storage unit

• Grocery cards

• Dental vouchers

• Weatherization

• Water heaters

• Car repair vouchers

• Groceries for a family for the month

• New roof for a family

• Plumbing hook up for a washer or dryer and donation of a washer and dryer

• Mental health vouchers

• Vehicle for a family of eight

• Alco gift card for clothing

• Scholarships for scholastic book club

• Tokens for Laundromat

• Fill propane tank

• Internet access for a year for two to three families

• Family vacation or a weekend getaway