Wildfire Philanthropy & Community Engagement
Philanthropy and community engagement are a vital part of the Wildfire family, as they strengthen community relationships and encourage continued individual growth and awareness. As an organized club and as individual members, we foster connections by volunteering for and supporting a variety of underserved communities and various non-profit organizations.
We are proud to set an example for women that active, healthy lifestyles are achievable at all ages. In partnerships and work with high school, collegiate, and young adult women athletes, we prioritize our service as role models, setting an example that active, healthy lifestyles are achievable as we age.
Food Banks
Feed My Starving Children — FMSC is a non-profit organization dedicated to feeding starving children around the world. Our members volunteer packing nutritious meals that are donated to FMSC food partners around the world, where kids are fed and lives are saved! FMSC website
We Don’t Waste — WDW is one of the largest food recovery organizations in Colorado, keeping unused food out of landfills and packaging it for those living in food deserts (neighborhoods without access to affordable, fresh, and nutritious foods.) Our members help mobile food market participants select food, load up their food bags and carts, and assist with participant check-in. WDW website
Wildfire Minstrels
Several members who play musical instruments and/or sing created a group that visits retirement facilities to spread joy with their music. This began with Christmas/holiday tunes, then grew to include Valentines songs (Feb), Irish tunes (Mar), patriotic tunes (July/summer), cowboy songs, etc. We focus on oldies that the residents know, that bring back fond memories, and that they can sing along to.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day (Women's Sports Foundation)
The Wildfire has participated in (and in some cases organized) activities at schools to celebrate women's achievements and opportunities in sports, promote Title IX and its impacts, and empower participation through clinics, games, and community gatherings.
Coal Creek K-8 School — Wildfire members assisted with a wide variety of activities in PE class at CCCK8 in 2023, including pickleball, throwing form/mechanics, and more with ages from Kindergarten through middle school. Additionally, members worked with staff to create a rubric for a writing contest. Two students were awarded $50 gift cards and Wildfire hats for their winning entries. The writing contest has become an annual activity.
Lasley Elementary — Wildfire member Dawn Pride is the PE teacher as Lasley Elementary and for NSWSD she has several Wildfire members come in and assist with a variety of activities such as softball fielding and hitting, and dexterity and agility activities. The students learn about Title IX through brief presentations.
Shalom Park Nursing Home & Elder Community
Wildfire members have organized activities such as monthly adaptive pickleball with badminton rackets and balloons that provides movement and fun for these elders.
Our Minstrels have also performed here for the Shalom Park community.
Colfax Marathon
Each year, the Colfax Marathon (Denver’s largest running event) partners with more than 200 Nonprofits, who have collectively raised over $2,500,000 over the last 5 years through the efforts of Colfax runners. The marathon’s Charity Partners Program is the 2nd largest in the U.S. with New York City Marathon being the largest. For many years, Wildfire members have volunteered at the Colfax Marathon, first at an exchange zone and distributing drinks/snacks, then staffing tables where we handout runners’ packets. The organization gets a donation from the Colfax Marathon in exchange for volunteering. Colfax Marathon website
Colorado Rockies
Wildfire members, friends and family members volunteer several hours at a designated Colorado Rockies game handing out promotional items to fans as they enter Coors Field prior to the game. Then we enjoy an afternoon of baseball with each other. The organization gets a donation from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for volunteering. Colorado Rockies website
Jewish Family Services Packing Parties
In an effort to assist underserved women and their various hygiene needs, members have “packing parties” where we package feminine hygiene products that get distributed by Jewish Family Service of Colorado and Justice Necessary.
We also repackage laundry sheets to be distributed by JFS.
Gail Klock Memorial Endowment
The Gail Klock Memorial Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to a Colorado School of Mines softball player who exemplifies qualities and abilities of high standards both on and off the field. The Wildfire organization donates annually to ensure this scholarship remains funded.
Annual Gail Klock Memorial Endowed Scholarship Pickleball-Round Robin Mixer
Each year the Wildfire hosts a fun pickleball round-robin mixer that benefits the The Gail Klock Memorial Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to a Colorado School of Mines softball player who exemplifies qualities and abilities of high standards both on and off the field.
(I can create a page with photos from previous years if there are enough and if people want to see them)
Annual Colorado Wildfire Golf Tournament
Each summer the Wildfire hosts a golf tournament at Applewood Golf Course in Golden. This tournament brings together many people from the community for fun and laughter, a chance to win great prizes, and the opportunity for local businesses to market themselves as a hole sponsor. Part of the proceeds from this fundraiser go toward supporting women’s softball at Colorado School of Mines and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.
Registration for the 2026 tournament is underway! Register today!
Girls High School Softball Team Support
Although our members live all over the Colorado Front Range and across many states, we are based out of Lakewood, Colorado. Therefore, the Wildfire selected three Jefferson County high schools deemed the most economically disadvantaged and we donate time, money and material items to support their girls softball teams (all donations are from Wildfire individuals, not the organization.)
Alameda High School — They have a large, strong, experienced coaching staff and less need, so we have donated gloves and shoes.
Arvada High School — We have donated gloves, batting helmets, shoes, and more. They had hired a new head coach without an assistant so we have helped at games by keeping the scorebook, base coaching and running the concession stand.
Jefferson High School — JHS has been the largest recipient of Wildfire donations and support:
gloves, shoes, socks, belts, balls, a batting net, bats, catcher's gear
sports drinks provided at games
meals and drinks provided for long bus rides to opposing schools
helping those without strong family support by providing meals and transportation to sports physicals appointments
attending games to cheer the girls on (some members followed these athletes into their basketball and soccer seasons)
donations for summer team expenses
awards & gift certificates have been given by Wildfire members at the JHS team party for seniors and lettermen
one member’s church sent care packages to graduates who went on to college