Since this is the first newsletter of 2022, let me say I hope all of you enjoyed your holidays and remain healthy. Harley’s Hope accomplished quite a bit through all of our safety net programs, and we’ll share our 2021 numbers just as soon as they are finalized. But for now, we want to look forward to a new year — our 12^th! — and all of the things we plan and hope to accomplish.

First up, we say goodbye and thank you to two long-time board members — Dr. Monica Campos and Cara Thomas — who are rotating off the board, but will remain active in other areas. And, we welcome two new board members — Anna Boeche, who just completed her Nonprofit Management certificate through Duke University and who has volunteered with HHF for awhile, and Robynne Kapatkin, who has extensive nonprofit, media and board experience. We look forward to seeing what you can do!

A big emphasis for the board and our fundraising committee is diversifying and increasing fundraising throughout the state of Colorado. While we have offered services statewide for some time, we have tended to focus our marketing efforts here in the Pikes Peak Region. That will change in the coming year as we administer the Next50Initiative grant for our Older Pet Parent Services program, expanding our presence in underserved communities around the state.

As a public charity, we rely on donations and grants to fuel our operations — the more funding we raise, the more we can help. We know there are a lot of seniors and people living with disabilities who struggle simply to get their companion animals in to be seen by a veterinarian. And, as much as we would like to include basic costs in our grants, we must have funds available to cover them and treatment once a diagnosis is reached. One of my personal goals for the year is to research and pursue funding to help make this a reality.

Thank you to everyone who supported Harley’s Hope during 2021. Whether you are a monthly donor, gave during Indy Give! or Colorado Gives Day, or make an occasional donation throughout the year, your charitable support makes all things possible. Thank you to our amazing volunteers, who run the Board of Directors, coordinate programs, and brave the elements to run the monthly pet food pantries, including continuing to deliver supplies to the homes of those who need this service due to age or disability. Thank you to all of the veterinary clinics and boarding facilities that work with us to keep pets healthy and safe. And, thank you to our food program partners who make that basic, but critical support, possible.