"The most vulnerable among us need the help most now."

Twenty-three years ago Kip Oram was invited to Easter Seals' Empire, Colorado camp for children with disabilities. The camp needed some new doors, and Oram, a young lumberyard manager for the Alpine Lumber Company chain, promised to come up and see if he could help.

"It really touched me," Oram recalls. "I saw what the camp's staff was doing to help people with disabilities have a good experience in the mountains, and I was so impressed. I thought that day: this is a place that needs my help; this is a place I can help."

Oram says that if anything, the poor economy causes him to "dig a little deeper" for Easter Seals Colorado. "This is when the most vulnerable among us need the help most," he explained.

Over the years Oram, now retired president and Chairman of the Board of Alpine, got more involved with the camp and accomplished more for Easter Seals Colorado and its clients. "When I was a member of the Easter Seals Board I was on the audit committee." Oram explained. "In addition to admiring the work they do, especially with the kids, I also know how they spend their money. I know what a great job they do minimizing expenses and maximizing what goes to services."

Oram said he likes to give to Easter Seals Colorado through the Colorado Tax Checkoff program. "Giving when I pay my State of Colorado taxes is convenient, and I know that it helps Easter Seals even more since the organization needs to hit a minimum donation level through the program to remain a Colorado Checkoff Charity."

Checkoff Charities like Easter Seals Colorado are listed at the end of the State of Colorado income tax form. Many taxpayers like to donate when paying their taxes because the Checkoff Program allows donors to remain anonymous and give in a way that maximizes the value of their contribution.

Easter Seals Colorado is one of the state's oldest and most respected charities. The non-profit is dedicated to serving the needs of Coloradans with disabilities of all ages. For more information on Easter Seals Colorado go to eastersealscolorado.org or call 303.233.1666.