woman smiling, wearing glasses and a suit
Ann Hutchison
President & CEO

For comments and questions about this blog, please email Ann at [email protected]

Celebrating Community

by | Jun 28, 2022 | From the CEO

woman smiling, wearing glasses and a suit
Ann Hutchison | President & CEO

For comments and questions about this blog, please email Ann at [email protected]

I don’t know about all of you – but I’ve definitely had a bad case of Avs fever the last several months.  Having the opportunity to cheer for a Colorado team in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup created tremendous excitement in my household.

As well, I was blown away by the community that was created by this moment in time.  We saw community in the team on the ice.  We also saw community in the fans in the stands.  Community also showed up out and about – wearing Avs gear regularly the last two weeks created such wonderful ways to connect to others.  And the Avalanche found a way to win which is inspiring daily celebration of that far-reaching community.

This sense of celebration has inspired me to add a section to my weekly blog that celebrates the tremendous community that we call home.  I thought I would kick start that new feature with a few shout outs to Chamber members that have blown me away the last several weeks…

  • Thank you to Hope Lives! for the work you do every day to add quality of life to breast cancer patients by offering integrative support services and products that help manage the physical, emotional, social & financial side effects of breast cancer treatment. Hope Lives! recently hosted their 20th Annual Gala and recognized Champions of Hope that support their work. It’s powerful that each of those recipients are Chamber members – your community making a difference.  Thank you and congratulations to Champions of Hope recipients Margo Karsten, president of Banner Health Western Region; Steve Hardy, general manager of Fort Collins Dodge Chrysler Ram and Fort Collins Jeep; and Michelle Hines of Acupuncture Center of Northern Colorado.
  • Be Kind FoCo hosted their inaugural Be Kind FoCo Week, that culminated with a Kindness Fair in Old Town Square Fort Collins this last Saturday. This is community at its heart.  Be Kind FoCo started as a class project with Leadership Fort Collins and has grown to be an organization that embraces the idea that philanthropy begins with kindness.  Be Kind FoCo creates programs to support the idea that philanthropy is anything you do to make your community a better place. Their philosophy: kindness begins locally and is highly contagious.  Be Kind FoCo Week was presented by Elevations Credit Union and featured live music thanks to the sponsorship of the Bohemian Foundation and their Music Event Fund.  I am so proud of the Leadership Fort Collins alumni that have invested so heavily in their community – long after they graduated from the program- to have an impact and to inspire individuals, family and youth.
  • I had the great privilege to join Chamber member Curt Bear of LoCo Think Tank on his podcast.  It was a great experience and my interview joins an impressive list of conversations.  Definitely check out all of Curt’s podcasts – and if you are interested in mine, you can find it here.

I look forward to celebrating with you people and businesses that make our community a tremendous place to live, work and play.  #GoAvsGo!  #GoFoCoGo! #ChamberBuildingCommunity