Wildfire Philanthropy & Community Engagement

Philanthropy and community engagement is a vital part of the Wildfire family, as it strengthens community relationships and encourages 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.

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

Wildfire Minstrels

Several members who play musical instruments and/or sing have 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.

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.

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