AROUND TOWN: Big breakfast brings together nonprofits

Steve Bigari looked around the room and asked the 100 people gathered for breakfast at Mr. Biggs to do the same.

"What we have here is a Dream Team," said Bigari. "If we can get to know each other better, look what we can do."

Bigari had opened the doors of the entertainment center early on Aug. 1, inviting representatives from the nonprofit, public and private sectors to network about "Colorado Springs 2.0," his plan to spur all sides of the community into action to collaborate on solving community needs.

"It's not about me; don't make it about me; it's what everyone can do together," said the highly visible Bigari, the innovative former McDonald's franchisee whose nonprofit, America's Family, provides opportunities, loans and resources for minimum-wage workers.

County commissioner Sallie Clark agreed with Bigari that the missing element is "one single conduit for services, one source if someone needs help."

What's not needed?

"We don't need new nonprofits; we need to find a way to pull together all the resources we already have in place, Clark said.

"Government can't do it alone," she said. "United Way is a conduit and can't do it all alone. We've run out of time."

Some of the impetus for Bigari's plan came last Christmas. The traditional Christmas giveaway started by local businessman Bob Telmosse appeared to be doomed. Telmosse had died earlier in the year and there was no one to put it together.

Bigari put out the word, volunteered his Mr. Biggs' site and in just days there were hundreds of volunteers and toys and turkeys and winter clothing for several thousand people.

"Four days before the people were coming we only had five bikes," Bigari said. He called Citadel Broadcasting's Bobby Irwin, who put out his own calls. The day of the event, they handed out 500 bicycles.

"If we can do that in just days, think what we can do together with 2,000 nonprofits, hundreds of churches and a half million of the best people on Earth," Bigari challenged.

Mayor Lionel Rivera, referring to the community engagement initiative Dream City: Vision 2020, asked, "What would it take to have a Dream City? We have part of it right here. We don't need new organizations. We don't need money. We need to create new capacity. This could be copied nationwide."

What's needed, said the mayor, is people and groups and businesses and churches giving "a little bit of time."

For 15 minutes the participants gave their time to "speed dating." Instead of meeting people to date, they met - 2 minutes each - the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, Peak Education, Mission Medical Clinic and the El Paso County Department of Human Services.

Bigari thanked the 100 people who answered the first call for "Colorado Springs 2.0" and said that at the next quarterly meeting, Oct. 3, he'll have to open a different room at Mr. Biggs. He's certain the original 100 will reach out. He's expecting 1,200 for breakfast next time.

"I Luv Colorado Springs" Sponsors of the "I Luv Colorado Springs" board game, which tests players' knowledge of local attractions and businesses, celebrated the launch of sales July 20 at The Promenade Shops at Briargate. Artist Luke Flowers was on hand to autograph the games.

To benefit Greccio Housing's work providing safe, affordable housing, the game will be sold at Poor Richard's, Compleat Games & Hobbies, The Broadmoor Shops and Olivia & Rose at The Promenade Shops at Briargate.

Greccio Housing will host a city-wide "I Luv Colorado Springs" game tournament Oct. 25 at the City Auditorium.

For information, call 475-1422 or go to www.greccio.org.

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Send information about nonprofit events and fundraisers to linda.navarro@gazette.com or mail to Linda Navarro, P.O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs, 80901.

SAVE THE DATES

Kirk and Hill Fall Silent Auction and Fashion Show to benefit CASA of the Pikes Peak Region, 1 p.m. Aug. 23, $25, Mirabella Model Home in the Canyons at Broadmoor Community, hosts Jackie Gunn, Kirk and Hill, Heather Darrigan, The Food Designers and Leah DeLay, DeLay Development Co., RSVP to 332-1609.

"Scenic Royal Gorge Route Dinner Train with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic," four-course gourmet dinner and musical entertainment, to benefit the Philharmonic, leaving the Cañon City Station at 6:30 p.m., Aug. 28, for information or tickets: 1-888-724-5748, www.royalgorgereservations.com or 884-2110, www.csphilharmonic.org  

100th anniversary tour, Van Briggle building on the Colorado College campus , Uintah Street and Glen Avenue, The Women's Educational Society, $10 admission covers a guided tour and refreshments, supports WES college scholarships for women, tours 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 13, no RSVP required.

"Miracles in Motion" to benefit the Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center, 6 p.m. Sept. 20, Norris Penrose Event Center, silent auction, riding demonstrations and dinner buffet, "cowboy chic" attire, $75, 495-3908.