foodfor thoughtFALL 2014

Heidi, a Project Angel Heart client,wants you to know something:multiple sclerosis may havechanged her life, but it hasnʼtchanged her spirit. “I still have asuper sassy mouth and everythingelse,” she says, “but some of thepieces of me donʼt work like theyused to.” By “pieces” she meansher legs, which used to propelher through hot yoga, mountainbiking and snowboarding, butnow rest comfortably in awheelchair.

What quickly ended Heidiʼs outdoor adventures was a hospitalvisit in 2011 to treat a snow‑boarding injury. It was then thather doctor confirmed a long‑heldsuspicion̶she had MS. “I usedto go big,” she reminisces. “Youknow, that was kind of our mottowhen we would snowboard. Likego big or go home and if youdonʼt bleed, you didnʼt do it rightso [forget] it, do it again.”

According to the Multiple SclerosisSociety, 2.3 million peopleworldwide currently live withthe autoimmune disease, which is often unpredictable,difficult to diagnose and, for reasons unknown, has highrates in Colorado. Since her diagnosis, Heidi, 46, has alsohad surgery on her right rotator cuff, further restricting hermobility; yet she refuses to be depressed. “When peopleare depressed they just eat rubbish,” she says, “and thatʼsnot me.”

To build her inner strength, Heidi,who is of Native‑American andIrish descent, relies on meditationtechniques she picked up fromsweat lodge ceremonies and herdays as a hot yoga instructor. Tobuild her outer strength, Heidirelies on Project Angel Heart. “Iʼmamazingly blessed and enrichedhaving the meals available to mebecause it helps what Iʼm tryingto do so far as rebuilding mytemple,” she says, “and you needgood strong pieces to make agood foundation.”

Heidi became a client in 2012after learning about ProjectAngel Heart from a friend. Eachweek a volunteer delivers a bagof frozen entrees and soups toher home. The meals, like Heidiʼsfavorite Puerto Rican‑spicedfish, can be modified to meether dietary needs, are convenientlypackaged, and are of no cost.Eligibility for the program is notbased on income, though Heidiacknowledges that she does nothave the money or mobility toprepare similar cuisine. “Kudos to

the chefs and cooks, you do an amazing job,” she says.

Sitting in her chair, Heidi rubs the tension from her arm andtalks about her hopes for the future. Sheʼd like to learnmore about her Native American heritage and go to schoolto study nutrition. “Iʼve always loved nutrition,” she says, “Itfuels our temple.”

4950 Washington St.Denver, CO 80216

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER, CO

PERMIT NO. 445

KEY DATESAugust 27, 6 pm: New volunteer orientation – Denver

September 6, 1:30 pm: New volunteer orientation – Colorado Springs

September 13, 11:30 am: New volunteer orientation – Denver

September 24, 6 pm: New volunteer orientation – Denver

October 15 – November 20: Pie in the SkySweeten someoneʼs life this Thanksgiving season by purchasing your holidaypies during our annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser. Or, better yet, become a volunteer pie seller!

November 5, 6 pm: A Taste for LifeMix and mingle with community leaders, philanthropic “foodies” and localculinary superstars at A Taste for Life, an annual food‑tasting event and silentauction benefiting Project Angel Heart.

For more information about events, please visit www.ProjectAngelHeart.org.To register for a new volunteer orientation, visit

www.ProjectAngelHeart.org/volunteer.

Denver Office4950 Washington StreetDenver, CO 80216P 303.830.0202 / F 303.830.1840

Colorado Springs Office620 S. Cascade Ave, Ste 100Colorado Springs, CO 80903P 719.323.0084

www.ProjectAngelHeart.org

Facebook.com/ProjectAngelHeart

Twitter.com/proj_angelheart

OUR MISSION: Delivering nutritious meals to improve quality of life, at no cost, for those coping with life‑threatening illness.

Modified meals specialist Logan Lafferty prepares customized mealsfor Heidi and other clients who have specific nutritional needs. Photo: McBoat Photography

Meals Help Client ʻRebuild Her TempleʼClient Profile: Heidi

(303) 830‑0202 | (800) 381‑5612 | www.ProjectAngelHeart.org 3

Since May 2012, Project Angel Heart hasbeen a proud participant in CertifiablyGreen Denver, meeting all the efficiencyand sustainability standards required bythe program. And, we just found out thatour organization obtained recertificationfor 2014 – not an easy task! In order tobecome recertified each year, a businessmust make continuous and new sustain‑ability related improvements throughouttheir facility. These improvements includeimplementing changes and updates in energy efficiency, waterconservation, resource management, sustainable businessmanagement and the encouragement of alternative transportation.

In 2013, in addition to continuing noteworthy recycling and compost‑ing efforts and using solar panels to offset our energy use, ProjectAngel Heart installed a drip‑irrigation system to provide a moreefficient watering method for our on‑site gardens. We also updatedand better equipped our staff and volunteer shower facilities toencourage the use of alternative transportation and hired anenvironmentally‑friendly janitorial company.

Additionally, Project Angel Heart continues to harvest producefrom our on‑site, volunteer‑run garden and to receive donationsfrom local farms and gardeners. By doing so, we not only give ourclients access to local veggies, we also reduce the amount oftransportation necessary to support our program, thereby reducingour carbon footprint. It is our priority to remain one of the topʻgreenʼ businesses in Denver!

Working to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

Dear Friends,

This summer, our staff and volunteers havebeen busier than ever delivering even moremeals than we originally projected. Thanks toyour generous support, we will deliver morethan 545,000 meals to at least 2,350 clients inthe Denver metro area and Colorado Springsthis year. And yet, we strive to do more.

The reason is simple. There remains a large,unmet need for our modified, home‑deliveredmeals program. And we envision a future inwhich any person challenged with illness canfocus on healing through the power of nutrition.

To make our vision a reality, weʼve been thinking outside of the box. Hereʼs a quick snapshot of some projects weʼre working on:l Thanks to inspiration from several donors, aswell as a grant from the Community First Foundation, we will roll out a planned givingprogram. This will build the future of ProjectAngel Heart while providing our supporters theopportunity to leave a meaningful legacy.l To make the most of your donated funds, weare exploring the possibility of starting anearned income, or social enterprise, program. l We know that we make a difference in ourclientʼs lives. Ninety‑six percent report that because of our meals, they are able to live independently, and 89 percent are better ableto afford healthcare. And yet, what are the truequantifiable benefits? Saved healthcare dollars?Reduced hospital stays? We will soon be conducting a study to measure exactly this.

Thank you for your continued support as ProjectAngel Heart accommodates unprecedentedgrowth and builds its future.

With gratitude,

Erin Pulling, MNMPresident & CEO

Get into the spirit of giving this fall and indulge in a Thanksgivingtradition by becoming a pie seller for Pie in the Sky, an annualfundraiser, presented by Anadarko and benefiting Project AngelHeart. Itʼs a simple and sweet way to support someone inyour community who is homebound and critically ill.

Each year, Bluepoint Bakery generously donates the pies, whichare made with natural ingredients and come in festive flavors

like apple, cherry, pecan, andpumpkin. Each pie costs $25 andprovides five nutritious meals to aman, woman, or child living with alife‑threatening illness in the Denvermetro area and Colorado Springs.

Selling pies is as easy as pie. Sign upto sell on your own, or gather yourfriends to sell as a team andcompete for fun prizes like giftcards, t‑shirts, and the coveted pie

trophy. Pie sales begin in October and end in November whenthe pies can be picked up at a number of convenient locationsright before Thanksgiving.

“What better reason to indulge in a delicious fall tradition thanhelping to provide meals for brothers and sisters in need,” saidLisa Spagnolie, a 2013 pie seller. “I love giving people anopportunity to treat their soul, while treating their sweet tooth.”

Registration begins in September. Learn more about Pie in theSky at www.pieintheskycolorado.org.

Not Too Late to Donate to Cereal Drive

Thank you for donating to our cereal drive in July. Thanks to you,hundreds of critically‑ill Coloradans will get the extra nutritionthey need to stay strong.

Itʼs not too late to donate. Until August 31, you can:l Drop off your boxes at our offices in Denver or

Colorado Springsl Gift virtual boxes of cereal online for $3 each at

www.projectangelheart.org/cereal‑drivel Text “cereal” to 50155 and follow the prompts to make a

donation with your smart phone.

We accept any standard‑size boxes of cold, low‑fat, whole graincereal. No sugary cereals, bulk or individual‑size boxes, please.

Workplace Giving Programs arean Easy Way to Have Big Impact

It doesnʼt take a big chunk of change to make adifference. Give back on a budget by signing upfor your workplace giving campaign.

Workplace giving is an easy way to makemanageable, tax‑deductible donations toProject Angel Heart through payroll contributions.And because many employers match employeegifts, your support can provide twice or eventhree times as many meals for our clients.

With open enrollment around the corner, now isthe perfect time to find out how to participate inyour companyʼs employee giving campaign, orencourage your employer to start one. ProjectAngel Heart is a member of Community Shares ofColorado, which supports us and other nonprofitorganizations through paycheck contributioncampaigns.

Supporting Project Angel Heart is also an optionin many other workplace giving campaigns. Tomake Project Angel Heart the recipient of yourgifts, use one of the following campaign codes: l Community Shares of Colorado, #5050l CFC (Combined Federal Campaign), #71347l CCC (Colorado Combined Campaign) and

DECC (Denver Employees Combined Campaign), #5085

l United Way or other campaigns – write in “Project Angel Heart” and our address, 4950 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216

Visit www.projectangelheart.org/donate to learn more.

Pie in the Sky: A Simple and SweetWay to Give Support

Leave a LegacyLeave a legacy of love by remembering ProjectAngel Heart in your will, living trust, or as thebeneficiary of your life insurance or retirementplan. Itʼs easy to leave a meaningful legacy toProject Heart and to ensure the ongoing viabilityof our organization. For more information, visitwww.ProjectAngelHeart.org/legacy‑giving.

Photo: McBoat Photography

Project Angel Heart 2014 Fall Newsletter2

From the President & CEO

A volunteer tends Project AngelHeartʼs on‑site garden. Photo:McBoat Photography

Save the Date for A Taste for LifeNovember 5, 2014, 6 p.m. Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center | 650 15th St.

Youʼre invited to mix and mingle with more than 800 communityleaders, philanthropic “foodies” and local culinary superstars at A Tastefor Life, an annual food‑tasting event and silent auction benefitingProject Angel Heart. Join us Wednesday, November 5, at 6 p.m. atthe Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center for anevening of delectable food, wine and spirits. You will be able tosample a wide selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts fromsome of Denverʼs most popular restaurants and caterers and enjoya variety of complimentary wine, cocktails and mixed drinks. Youʼllalso have the opportunityto bid on exclusive andunique items from our silentauction. Purchase tickets atwww.projectangelheart.org.Sponsorships are stillavailable. Donʼt miss thisopportunity to enjoy greatfood and contribute to aneven better cause. Photo: McBoat Photography

(303) 830‑0202 | (800) 381‑5612 | www.ProjectAngelHeart.org 3

Since May 2012, Project Angel Heart hasbeen a proud participant in CertifiablyGreen Denver, meeting all the efficiencyand sustainability standards required bythe program. And, we just found out thatour organization obtained recertificationfor 2014 – not an easy task! In order tobecome recertified each year, a businessmust make continuous and new sustain‑ability related improvements throughouttheir facility. These improvements includeimplementing changes and updates in energy efficiency, waterconservation, resource management, sustainable businessmanagement and the encouragement of alternative transportation.

In 2013, in addition to continuing noteworthy recycling and compost‑ing efforts and using solar panels to offset our energy use, ProjectAngel Heart installed a drip‑irrigation system to provide a moreefficient watering method for our on‑site gardens. We also updatedand better equipped our staff and volunteer shower facilities toencourage the use of alternative transportation and hired anenvironmentally‑friendly janitorial company.

Additionally, Project Angel Heart continues to harvest producefrom our on‑site, volunteer‑run garden and to receive donationsfrom local farms and gardeners. By doing so, we not only give ourclients access to local veggies, we also reduce the amount oftransportation necessary to support our program, thereby reducingour carbon footprint. It is our priority to remain one of the topʻgreenʼ businesses in Denver!

Working to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

Dear Friends,

This summer, our staff and volunteers havebeen busier than ever delivering even moremeals than we originally projected. Thanks toyour generous support, we will deliver morethan 545,000 meals to at least 2,350 clients inthe Denver metro area and Colorado Springsthis year. And yet, we strive to do more.

The reason is simple. There remains a large,unmet need for our modified, home‑deliveredmeals program. And we envision a future inwhich any person challenged with illness canfocus on healing through the power of nutrition.

To make our vision a reality, weʼve been thinking outside of the box. Hereʼs a quick snapshot of some projects weʼre working on:l Thanks to inspiration from several donors, aswell as a grant from the Community First Foundation, we will roll out a planned givingprogram. This will build the future of ProjectAngel Heart while providing our supporters theopportunity to leave a meaningful legacy.l To make the most of your donated funds, weare exploring the possibility of starting anearned income, or social enterprise, program. l We know that we make a difference in ourclientʼs lives. Ninety‑six percent report that because of our meals, they are able to live independently, and 89 percent are better ableto afford healthcare. And yet, what are the truequantifiable benefits? Saved healthcare dollars?Reduced hospital stays? We will soon be conducting a study to measure exactly this.

Thank you for your continued support as ProjectAngel Heart accommodates unprecedentedgrowth and builds its future.

With gratitude,

Erin Pulling, MNMPresident & CEO

Get into the spirit of giving this fall and indulge in a Thanksgivingtradition by becoming a pie seller for Pie in the Sky, an annualfundraiser, presented by Anadarko and benefiting Project AngelHeart. Itʼs a simple and sweet way to support someone inyour community who is homebound and critically ill.

Each year, Bluepoint Bakery generously donates the pies, whichare made with natural ingredients and come in festive flavors

like apple, cherry, pecan, andpumpkin. Each pie costs $25 andprovides five nutritious meals to aman, woman, or child living with alife‑threatening illness in the Denvermetro area and Colorado Springs.

Selling pies is as easy as pie. Sign upto sell on your own, or gather yourfriends to sell as a team andcompete for fun prizes like giftcards, t‑shirts, and the coveted pie

trophy. Pie sales begin in October and end in November whenthe pies can be picked up at a number of convenient locationsright before Thanksgiving.

“What better reason to indulge in a delicious fall tradition thanhelping to provide meals for brothers and sisters in need,” saidLisa Spagnolie, a 2013 pie seller. “I love giving people anopportunity to treat their soul, while treating their sweet tooth.”

Registration begins in September. Learn more about Pie in theSky at www.pieintheskycolorado.org.

Not Too Late to Donate to Cereal Drive

Thank you for donating to our cereal drive in July. Thanks to you,hundreds of critically‑ill Coloradans will get the extra nutritionthey need to stay strong.

Itʼs not too late to donate. Until August 31, you can:l Drop off your boxes at our offices in Denver or

Colorado Springsl Gift virtual boxes of cereal online for $3 each at

www.projectangelheart.org/cereal‑drivel Text “cereal” to 50155 and follow the prompts to make a

donation with your smart phone.

We accept any standard‑size boxes of cold, low‑fat, whole graincereal. No sugary cereals, bulk or individual‑size boxes, please.

Workplace Giving Programs arean Easy Way to Have Big Impact

It doesnʼt take a big chunk of change to make adifference. Give back on a budget by signing upfor your workplace giving campaign.

Workplace giving is an easy way to makemanageable, tax‑deductible donations toProject Angel Heart through payroll contributions.And because many employers match employeegifts, your support can provide twice or eventhree times as many meals for our clients.

With open enrollment around the corner, now isthe perfect time to find out how to participate inyour companyʼs employee giving campaign, orencourage your employer to start one. ProjectAngel Heart is a member of Community Shares ofColorado, which supports us and other nonprofitorganizations through paycheck contributioncampaigns.

Supporting Project Angel Heart is also an optionin many other workplace giving campaigns. Tomake Project Angel Heart the recipient of yourgifts, use one of the following campaign codes: l Community Shares of Colorado, #5050l CFC (Combined Federal Campaign), #71347l CCC (Colorado Combined Campaign) and

DECC (Denver Employees Combined Campaign), #5085

l United Way or other campaigns – write in “Project Angel Heart” and our address, 4950 Washington St., Denver, CO 80216

Visit www.projectangelheart.org/donate to learn more.

Pie in the Sky: A Simple and SweetWay to Give Support

Leave a LegacyLeave a legacy of love by remembering ProjectAngel Heart in your will, living trust, or as thebeneficiary of your life insurance or retirementplan. Itʼs easy to leave a meaningful legacy toProject Heart and to ensure the ongoing viabilityof our organization. For more information, visitwww.ProjectAngelHeart.org/legacy‑giving.

Photo: McBoat Photography

Project Angel Heart 2014 Fall Newsletter2

From the President & CEO

A volunteer tends Project AngelHeartʼs on‑site garden. Photo:McBoat Photography

Save the Date for A Taste for LifeNovember 5, 2014, 6 p.m. Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center | 650 15th St.

Youʼre invited to mix and mingle with more than 800 communityleaders, philanthropic “foodies” and local culinary superstars at A Tastefor Life, an annual food‑tasting event and silent auction benefitingProject Angel Heart. Join us Wednesday, November 5, at 6 p.m. atthe Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center for anevening of delectable food, wine and spirits. You will be able tosample a wide selection of appetizers, entrees and desserts fromsome of Denverʼs most popular restaurants and caterers and enjoya variety of complimentary wine, cocktails and mixed drinks. Youʼllalso have the opportunityto bid on exclusive andunique items from our silentauction. Purchase tickets atwww.projectangelheart.org.Sponsorships are stillavailable. Donʼt miss thisopportunity to enjoy greatfood and contribute to aneven better cause. Photo: McBoat Photography

foodfor thoughtFALL 2014

Heidi, a Project Angel Heart client,wants you to know something:multiple sclerosis may havechanged her life, but it hasnʼtchanged her spirit. “I still have asuper sassy mouth and everythingelse,” she says, “but some of thepieces of me donʼt work like theyused to.” By “pieces” she meansher legs, which used to propelher through hot yoga, mountainbiking and snowboarding, butnow rest comfortably in awheelchair.

What quickly ended Heidiʼs outdoor adventures was a hospitalvisit in 2011 to treat a snow‑boarding injury. It was then thather doctor confirmed a long‑heldsuspicion̶she had MS. “I usedto go big,” she reminisces. “Youknow, that was kind of our mottowhen we would snowboard. Likego big or go home and if youdonʼt bleed, you didnʼt do it rightso [forget] it, do it again.”

According to the Multiple SclerosisSociety, 2.3 million peopleworldwide currently live withthe autoimmune disease, which is often unpredictable,difficult to diagnose and, for reasons unknown, has highrates in Colorado. Since her diagnosis, Heidi, 46, has alsohad surgery on her right rotator cuff, further restricting hermobility; yet she refuses to be depressed. “When peopleare depressed they just eat rubbish,” she says, “and thatʼsnot me.”

To build her inner strength, Heidi,who is of Native‑American andIrish descent, relies on meditationtechniques she picked up fromsweat lodge ceremonies and herdays as a hot yoga instructor. Tobuild her outer strength, Heidirelies on Project Angel Heart. “Iʼmamazingly blessed and enrichedhaving the meals available to mebecause it helps what Iʼm tryingto do so far as rebuilding mytemple,” she says, “and you needgood strong pieces to make agood foundation.”

Heidi became a client in 2012after learning about ProjectAngel Heart from a friend. Eachweek a volunteer delivers a bagof frozen entrees and soups toher home. The meals, like Heidiʼsfavorite Puerto Rican‑spicedfish, can be modified to meether dietary needs, are convenientlypackaged, and are of no cost.Eligibility for the program is notbased on income, though Heidiacknowledges that she does nothave the money or mobility toprepare similar cuisine. “Kudos to

the chefs and cooks, you do an amazing job,” she says.

Sitting in her chair, Heidi rubs the tension from her arm andtalks about her hopes for the future. Sheʼd like to learnmore about her Native American heritage and go to schoolto study nutrition. “Iʼve always loved nutrition,” she says, “Itfuels our temple.”

4950 Washington St.Denver, CO 80216

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER, CO

PERMIT NO. 445

KEY DATESAugust 27, 6 pm: New volunteer orientation – Denver

September 6, 1:30 pm: New volunteer orientation – Colorado Springs

September 13, 11:30 am: New volunteer orientation – Denver

September 24, 6 pm: New volunteer orientation – Denver

October 15 – November 20: Pie in the SkySweeten someoneʼs life this Thanksgiving season by purchasing your holidaypies during our annual Pie in the Sky fundraiser. Or, better yet, become a volunteer pie seller!

November 5, 6 pm: A Taste for LifeMix and mingle with community leaders, philanthropic “foodies” and localculinary superstars at A Taste for Life, an annual food‑tasting event and silentauction benefiting Project Angel Heart.

For more information about events, please visit www.ProjectAngelHeart.org.To register for a new volunteer orientation, visit

www.ProjectAngelHeart.org/volunteer.

Denver Office4950 Washington StreetDenver, CO 80216P 303.830.0202 / F 303.830.1840

Colorado Springs Office620 S. Cascade Ave, Ste 100Colorado Springs, CO 80903P 719.323.0084

www.ProjectAngelHeart.org

Facebook.com/ProjectAngelHeart

Twitter.com/proj_angelheart

OUR MISSION: Delivering nutritious meals to improve quality of life, at no cost, for those coping with life‑threatening illness.

Modified meals specialist Logan Lafferty prepares customized mealsfor Heidi and other clients who have specific nutritional needs. Photo: McBoat Photography

Meals Help Client ʻRebuild Her TempleʼClient Profile: Heidi