Ginger Alexander
“Ginger has affected most every family in this area.” – Vicki Kulyk
How It All Began
This June will mark the 17th year that Ginger has been living in Creede. After spending 30 years visiting Creede from her home in Houston, Ginger knew she “just loved it here,” so she decided to stay. Upon arrival “My husband and I, we wanted to do something for our community,” says Ginger. Since then Ginger has been donating her time and talents to Creede and she says that it’s nothing new here, “The people of Creede, we take care of our own.” And that is exactly what she set out to do.
Getting Involved
Ginger spent 12 years volunteering as an EMT, and it wasn’t until 2008 that she recently retired. When Ginger and her husband moved to Creede the town was in need of volunteer EMTs. Becoming EMTs “was one of the best things we could have done.”
Creede has one of the best ambulance services in the state, and that’s necessary because the nearest hospital is 30 miles outside of town. Ginger says that some calls can be so painfully impacting: “It made you want to learn more and be better. It’s real hard sometimes … you have to remove your emotions. Afterwards you can break down and cry.” Ginger also knows the encouragement that an EMT can experience in a rescue and says, “We’ve had some wonderful saves.”
“And one day she will help each of us who has not yet lost a loved one.” -Vicki Kulyk
14 years ago Ginger took on the role of Bereavement Dinner Coordinator. This Dinner is managed by the Ladies Aide Society, of which Ginger is a member. “I just coordinate it and make it all happen,” says Ginger. Easier said than done. Ginger is the one who meets with the family and takes their wishes and turns them into an event held the night of the funeral where everything, the food, the help, the decorations, are all donated at Ginger’s request. “The tables are beautifully decorated and the meals are delicious,” says community member Vicki Kulyk. Ginger coordinated a dinner for 120 people this last Saturday, and for 150 the week before. “It’s a huge responsibility. She has arthritis and aches … it’s amazing the amount of work she does,” concludes Vicki Kulyk.
The Good Samaritan
Last year a local woman named Denita Cain needed a leg amputation. The cause for the surgery was a compound fracture wound from 10 years before that never healed right. Ginger, a mere acquaintance, was ready to help. Ginger organized a fundraiser in the community to raise the money for the surgery. She then took Denita to her surgery, to all doctor’s appointments, helped her at home as well as driving her to the grocery store. Ginger spent nine months taking Denita so far as Alamosa, a round trip of 142 miles. What was her reason for all her support? Ginger says simply, that “She was just a person who needed some help.”
Quilting for a Cause
What does Ginger do in her limited leisure time? She quilts. Ginger calls the Silver Thread Quilt Guild a “group of friends,” who have sewn and donated more than 200 patriotic quilts to the Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland for returning injured soldiers. Ginger is personally responsible for making 20 of those donated quilts, and just this past Christmas Ginger was responsible for the 75 patriotic pillow cases given to the Monte Vista Vet Center.
How You Can Help
Ginger knew when she moved to Creede that her purpose would be in volunteering and bettering the community. Her latest discovery is the Conour Slv Animal Shelter, which she now supports. You, like Ginger, can support a another who “just needed some help.”
Donations can be sent to: Conour Slv Animal Shelter – (719) 852-3366
2825 Sherman Ave, Monte Vista, CO 81144
The Go To Guide is proud to donate
$100.00 to Conour Slv Animal Shelter.
Robert “Bob” Bryning
“Bob does not want or seek publicity; he is just a genuine, caring individual who does so much for this community – just out of pure goodness.” – Debbie Garcia
For He’s A Jolly Good Fellow
Robert “Bob” Bryning is a name you might not recognize right away, but Bob likes it that way. He is a cornerstone volunteer involved with fundraising, organizing and volunteering in Monte Vista, but Bob is quick to point out that the credit can’t fall solely on him. Bob says, “Ask why they picked me [for Community Hero] and not some other folks [like] the Garcia family? There’s other people out there that are more deserving of this sort of thing.” Well, here’s why:
How It All Began
Bob first got involved with the after school program when a friend of his, who was on the board for Boys and Girls Club of San Luis Valley, informed him that the Monte Vista unit was having trouble getting financial support. So, Bob went to a meeting, found out what they did and got involved in 2002. The new youth program, called Monte Vista Kids Connection, is the result, and it is run through the city of Monte Vista. And the finances now? Bob says, “It seems like when we meet hard times…volunteers just take care of that out of their back pockets.”
Connecting Kids
The Monte Vista Kids Connection operates during the school year with after school activities and during the summer with day trips and more activities. Debbie Garcia says, “Bob has been instrumental to keeping the after school program for our community’s youth (ages 5-18) going when the Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley pulled out of Monte Vista.” As far as the program’s vitality, Bob says, “something just seems to happen that keeps us going,” there’s “always someone stepping up saying, ‘We can help.’ And when you have people like that it’s very easy to get things done.”
“Bob had done an amazing job fundraising for upgrades to the Bill Metz Elementary playground, a new skatepark and snacks for the kids after school program,” says Debbie Garcia.
Bob is also very involved in fundraising for the betterment of Monte Vista’s community. Rally in the Valley, put on every Father’s day weekend, was once used only to support Boys and Girls Club, but it is now an event held to raise funds for any community project. Every year, Bob is one of the volunteers searching out the community project in need of funding, finding sponsors, promoting and organizing the event and selling raffle tickets.
And A Little Attitude
According to Bob, Monte Vista will be the place to be this June 17th through 19th, because this year’s Rally in the Valley is raising money to build a new 4H livestock building, complete with a new sound system. How will they accomplish this feat you ask? With a little metal. This year, like several before it, the raffle prize is a brand new motorcycle. C’mon down, all you dads, and buy a ticket, heck, buy 12! What’s a few bucks for a new Harley?
How You Can Get Involved
Bob is this year’s hero because of all he does for the youth and the larger Monte Vista community. But he will tell you that he can’t do it on his own. You can join in by marking your calendars for this year’s Rally in the Valley and save up to buy some raffle tickets. You can also donate to Monte Vista Kids Connection using the address below. And the final answer to your question, Bob: Because, like the volunteers you honor, you deserve a little thanks.
Monte Vista Community Fund
ATTN: Debbie Phillips
4 Chico Camino, Monte Vista, 81144
The Go To Guide is proud to donate $100.00 to Monte Vista Community Fund.
