Wes Bailey, values working hard to provide for this valley where he grew up. He is most recognized for his work with the Pioneer Museum and the Young at Heart Senior Meals Program. He is currently the Vice President of the Pioneer Museum and enjoys sharing Gunnison’s rich history with people from all over the world.

Wes is the President of the Young at Heart Senior Meals Program. For thirteen years he delivered meals on wheels, and then joined the Board of Directors. For twenty years he has helped organize the daily meals and assisted individuals with their trays and food. Wes has contributed countless hours to the Gunnison Valley and is a true ‘Community Hero’.

The Go To Guide is proud to donate $100.00 to Gunnison Valley Health Hospice & Palliative Care in celebration of Wes Bailey – Community Hero of 2012.

The Go To Guide is proud to donate $100.00 to the Lake City Recreation Center in celebration of Ben Hake – Community Hero of 2012.

When Ruth and Larry Dolezal learned of the lack of supplies a U.S medical center in Germany was able to provide for troops, they instantly became motivated to do whatever they could to help. Now, eight years later and over 770 care packages sent to U.S. combat troops overseas, they are motivated to continue supplying goods to people connected to this community.

With a drop off bin set up at the Gunnison Library, local business and individual contributions, and personal drive, they provide on average one care package a week. They aim to send a little piece of home to remind troops from local Gunnison Valley families that this community is appreciative and proud of their work.

They are a true inspiration because they use many of their own resources and time to continue this. The gratitude from the troops back to them makes every effort worth while.

The Go To Guide is proud to donate $100.00 to Ruth and Larry Dolezal – Community Heroes of 2012.

A Cut Above – Born July 16, 1987 in Alamosa, CO to David and Anavee Hinkley. Faith Hinkley was an active member of her community in Monte Vista, participating in Girl Scouts, Rainbow Girls and her Sunday School Class. In high school, she was equally involved as a member of several clubs including, FBLA, Student Council, FCCLA, Young Life, Peer Mediation, and Key Club. She was also involved with cheerleading, the golf team, and a member of the marching band. After high school, Faith attended the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs for one year.

Military Life – Faith made the decision to serve her country in the United States Army and enlisted August 27th, 2007, reporting to Fort Jackson, S.C. for basic training, then moving on to Fort Huachuca in Arizona for advanced training as a Human Intelligence Collector. She was assigned to the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade August 6th, 2008 which was then deployed in September 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Faith R. Hinkley was promoted to Sergeant the day of her death, August 7th, 2010, after wounds suffered when insurgents attacked her unit in Iskandariya, Iraq.

Faith is survived by her parents, David and Anavee Hinkley, a brother, Matthew, and a sister, Shannon. Faith was serving her first tour of duty and was expected to return to the states in a few weeks. Faith was buried with full military honors at the Colorado State Veterans Cemetery in Homelake, Colorado.

Memorials may be sent to:
The Faith Hinkley Memorial Fund
415 Davis Street, Monte Vista, CO 81144
Or directly to:
The Wounded Warrior Project
7020 A.C. Skinner Parkway, Suite 100
Jacksonville, FL 32256

The Go to Guide is proud to donate $100.00 to the Wounded Warrior Project in memory of Sgt. Faith R. Hinkley, Community Hero. Lynda Kucin

Their devotion to helping others was beautiful to behold and a valuable lesson for myself and others.” Neighbors Helping Neighbors was formed on June 30, 1998 as a registered corporation within the state of Colorado. NHN is set up to facilitate raising funds within the community to help in crisis situations. All money raised goes to pay the bills of a neighbor in need. There are no administrative costs and confidentiality is kept unless permission is granted for publicity for fundraising purposes.

Aide may consist of financial help with a direct payment of a bill or a service. Money is paid to the provider not to the person making the request. Typical requests include help with rent, utilities, medical expenses, firewood, etc. NHN maintains the intention of helping in a crisis situation and does not provide maintenance assistance.

Literally hundreds of individuals and families have been helped by NHN. Awareness that a helping hand in a time of crisis can help someone get back on their feet and stay there, instead of sliding further down in need. Lynda, Joany and NHN have been written up extensively in the Crestone Eagle:
www.crestoneeagle.com
The Greater Crestone Community Cookbook, with recipes from wild game to vegetarian, is now available for only $15. Donations or cookbook orders maybe made to NHN, POB 822, Crestone, CO 81131.

The Go to Guide is proud to donate $100.00 to neighbors Helping neighbors in honor of Joany Nelson and Lynda Kucin, Community Heroes.

Shawn opened Absolute Bikes of Salida in an old feed store next to the Arkansas River in May of 1999. He is actively involved in programs to make life better in the Salida area for residents and visitors alike. Salida Mountain trails program Shawn donates his time and other resources to this program. Salida Mountain Trails is an all volunteer organization committed to building and maintaining sustainable, non-motorized, multi-user trails on public lands adjoining the city of Salida. They are a chapter of Salida Parks Open Space and Trails. The ride right cycle safe program and helmets for Kids program. This program just completed its 4th year in the Salida School System. It is designed to give young riders skills such as learning bicycling rules of the road, making eye contact with drivers, some basic riding skills, how to properly adjust a bicycle helmet and do a basic safety check on their bikes. The clinic also includes giving each 4th grade student a new Giro bicycle helmet, numbering approximately 100 helmets donated per year.

Safe routes to school program. This program allows school children to get to school safely on bikes rather than relying on an adult to drive them to school in a car. Southern Central Racing (SCR) is a cycling club and race team focused on bringing the cycling community together in Chaffee County. Absolute Bikes has been a key sponsor since the creation of this club. In 2008, they became the co-sponsor and provide the club and race team with world class support.

You can join Shawn in helping your community by participating or donating to any of these causes:
salidamountaintrails.org
salidaparksopenspacetrails.org
southcentralracing.com
For more information visit:
absolutebikes.com

The Go To Guide is proud to donate $100.00 to the Salida Mountain Trails Program in celebration of Shawn Gillis – Community Hero of 2012.