13-year-old Luke Hinners, an eighth-grade student at St. Thomas Moore in Littleton, received the Reserve Champion Steer award in the 2009 Douglas County Sale of Champions. Jack Hoagland and his partners in Sterling Ranch, LLC, purchased the steer and donated it to Hands Across Roxborough. Luke is a member of the local "Hoof Over Heels" 4H Club, and, with his family, travels to Iowa each year to pick up a calf at his Grandfather's farm---and brings the calf back to Colorado.

Luke said, in a letter to Hoagland, "I am proud to inform you that the steer graded Choice." He said that, after paying the initial expense association with raising the steer, "I plan to put the money in savings and use a good portion of the sale procees for my college tuition."

In addition to 4H, Luke plays football, basketball and baseball. Sterling Ranch's Jack Hoagland then contacted Hands Across Roxborough leader, Rev. David Jarboe, and asked if the organization could distribute the 800 lbs. of processed, wrapped, and marked beef to needy families in the Roxborough area. Jarboe agreed and the organization began to seek those who could use the help. Sixteen families each received 50 pounds of beef.

Hands Across Roxborough was started by four families who are members of The Gathering At Roxborough, the Church whose pastor is David Jarboe The Gathering meets each Sunday at 10 AM at the Roxborough Intermediate School. Pastor Jarboe makes it clear, however, that Hands Across Roxborough is totally separate from The Gathering has has been granted a 501(c)3 tax-exempt status. People of any faith, or no faith at all, are welcome to participate in the "neighbor-to-neighbor" outreach.

David Jarboe said the biggest challenge is to identify those Roxborough families in need due to unemployment, medical, and other issues. Once a need is identified, on a confidential basis, volunteers are found to help. For example, volunteers transport elderly to doctor appointments, assist in a wide variety of home maintenance issues, etc.

Those who need help should contact David at 303-653-2770 or e-mail, handsxrox@mac.com. Letters can also be sent to 10361 Hazel Court, Littleton, CO 80125. Every contact will be totally confidential. Residents who wish to make a financial contribution may do so at the Roxborough Chase Bank. Donor contact information will be needed in order to provide a receipt for tax purposes.

Volunteers are also needed. Those interested should contact Roxborough Park resident Craig Shur, Operations Director for Hands Across Roxborough at tshur@shur-sales.com.