I wanted to take advantage of your offer to write in about worthy non-profit organizations to tell you about a gem, Evergreen Christian Outreach. It is difficult to put into words the breadth and scope of what this humble little organization manages to accomplish on a daily basis and most of it in very subtle, discreet and anonymous fashion. I will share a small story as only one in a multitude of meaningful stories about the lives that ECHO changes every day.

Imagine being a well-educated, full-time mother of several children who suddenly finds herself in a divorce, or a destructive relationship.Perhaps she is caring not only for her children, but for her aging parent, or perhaps her child has very special needs. Suddenly, there is a deep deep anguish that sets in with the realization that no matter how much she wills it so, there is not enough money to pay the mortgage or the rent on the house her children have always known and the food is dwindling. Not the kind of "Oh, Mom there's nothing to eat..." so often heard from teenage boys doing the typical "refrigerator stare", this is the real, there is nothing to eat. This shifts to thoughts of panic, but not wanting the children to know just what kind of hopelessness they are facing, she tries to make light of it and cover it up by trying to keep the ball rolling on a daily basis.

We live in an affluent country. I live in an affluent community where most people assume everyone is as affluent as their neighbor. This makes for many secretly despairing nights fraught with insomnia and worry, never alluded to in the light of day by those who are struggling.

Unable to think or swallow or hope, she finds Evergreen Christian Outreach. Fear of the guilt and the admission of failure to provide for her family paralyses her. What she finds as soon as she enters the door is so contrary to what she expected. She is greeted by a friendly face, given the chance to explain her situation in a one-on -one interview behind closed doors. No one is shocked or condemning that she is struggling, as she had so feared. No labels, no judgments..... Only help with tremendous dignity, understanding and reassurance are given. She finds help in the form of food , good food, from the food bank. She is given a gas voucher to pay for gas to get home. Over time she is helped with the cost of medication she can't pay for, clothes for job interviews, school supplies, furniture, holiday meals and gifts for the kids at the Christmas Boutique, child care costs and given information on how to get help with her utility bills. She is introduced to a generosity and love she has never experienced. She becomes part of a family of support. She is the benefactor of care and follow-up concern and most important, HOPE.

This organization has been so meaningful to so many people and I want to tell everyone so that it gets the support it really deserves.

How do they do it? How do they provide SO Many services to over 335 families in the vast area that includes Evergreen to Idaho Springs all the way out to Conifer & Bailey?

They serve 12 homeless families at this time. Most Evergreen residents have no clue that that kind of need exists, but boy, does it ever. Evergreen Christian Outreach does not tout its own horn and wear their giving on their lapel. It is all done on a very quiet and humble level, through the help of a very dedicated staff and scores of selfless volunteers who give of their time on a regular basis. Their resale shop on Highway 74 is full of treasures and is a key component to their existence. The sheer number of people and families it has saved and encouraged and given hope to over its twenty years of operation is staggering.Many would be surprised to know that it is not always apparent who is needy on a given day. It may be your next door neighbor.

How can I tell you how deserving they are? You won't see it advertised in the paper of posted all over the web. But ask anyone who has fallen down hard and needed a kind hand to help them through and needed the real-life kind of giving that is solid and anonymous and you will find all those who have been helped by ECHO. There are many more than you would believe, and they cut across all educational and socio-economic levels.

Giving from many churches and businesses had markedly declined over the past few years while the need has grown inversely proportionately.

If I can do anything in my power , by writing to you, to make people aware ofECHO as a beacon for all that is good and right about our communities, then please consider this letter as a token of my thanks to a most deserving non-profit organization.

Sally Richards is a longtime Evergreen resident.