By Rachel Rosenthal
The Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado has selected the four local nonprofits that will benefit from this summer’s 19th Hole Concerts at the Pagosa Springs Golf Club.
The 19th Hole Concerts are community fundraisers that feature local musicians and local nonprofits each Thursday evening in June, from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Pagosa Springs Golf Club.
Each organization represents a different sector addressing the needs of the community and will be highlighted at one of the concerts held in June. This year’s recipients are the Ruby M. Sisson Library Foundation, the Cornerstone Project, San Juan Back Country Horsemen and the Early Childhood Council of Archuleta County.
The cover charge is a $10 donation that supports the four nonprofits. Corporate sponsors cover event ex- penses, allowing all proceeds at the end of the series to be pooled and distributed equally to the featured organizations. The collaborative approach to the concerts is vital to their success. Last year’s concerts raised more than $2,600 for each participating organization.
The Ruby M. Sisson Library Foundation will be represented at the June 6 concert. The foundation was formed in 2018 to help raise funds to support the programs, resources, services and facilities of the library. This year, it will complete its largest capital campaign, Mountains of Opportunity, to expand and renovate the Ruby Sisson Library. It will be joined by musical guests Jason Rose and Denise Chaney of the Jackson Mountain Ramblers.
The Cornerstone Project is a non-profit with a mission to support survivors of human trafficking. Through education and advocacy, they work to offer restorative, alternative solutions to help survivors reintegrate into society with hope and purpose. The Cornerstone Project will be part of the June 13 concert along with musical guest Bo DePeña.
San Juan Back Country Horsemen works to ensure public trails remain open and accessible to recreational livestock and pedestrian use. It solicits donations to fund the trail work needed to stabilize areas in dire need of repair. The organizations will be highlighted at the June 20 concert with musical guests the San Juan Mountain Boys.
The Early Childhood Council of Archuleta County was founded to support families of young children by supporting and sustaining a comprehensive, high-quality, accessible early childhood system that prepares children for success both academically and personally. It will be featured at the June 27 concert with the music of Bob Hemenger.
“The 19th Hole Concerts are a fun way for everyone to rally behind our local nonprofits and learn more about this vital sector,” said Tracy Pope, deputy director of the Community Foundation. “Local food, local music and local nonprofits come together to create a wonderful summer evening.”
As a community facilitator, the Community Foundation works to increase resiliency and success for nonprofits while maximizing effective grantmaking for philanthropists to make Southwest Colorado a better place to live.
Rachel Rosenthal writes for Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado.