BECOME A BIG BUDDY
Big Buddies make Big Impacts
You have a meaningful opportunity in front of you - not only to guide and inspire youth today but to transform their potential for tomorrow. And, your impact can directly strengthen our community.
By sharing some of your time, 3 to 4 times a month, you can give your Little Buddy the invaluable gift of friendship. As a friend, you can provide guidance and opportunities for your Little Buddy to learn and grow. By showing up, listening, and having fun, you can help change a young person’s perspective for the better. It can be as simple as going to the park together, playing a board game, or just hanging out in the valley.
Who are our Little Buddies?
Little Buddies are local youth ages 6-18 who are referred by teachers, counselors, parents, guardians, other family members, or themselves.
They come from backgrounds of every type and they are amazing: they are smart, strong, funny, resilient, passionate, curious, and more. They can benefit from companionship, guidance, and encouragement. Like all of us, some are navigating recent or current challenges in their lives, while others are simply in a place in life where they want to try new things and have fun while meeting new people.
Who are our Big Buddies?
Big Buddies are responsible, caring individuals who are committed to making a difference in the life of a child. They volunteer initially for one year with options to continue throughout the years. They are a friend, positive role model, nurturer of possibilities, and advocate for their Little Buddy. They take initiative to set up meetings with their Little Buddy and provide new opportunities for them to improve their outlook on life.
Read more about our volunteer guidelines in English
Read more about our volunteer guidelines en español
Refer a Youth
Is there a child in your life that would benefit from the extra support of a Big Buddy or the guidance of our LEAD Program?
Anyone – a parent or guardian, school counselor or administrator, social worker or friend – can refer a child to our programs.
We serve youth ages 6 to 18 years old, from Aspen to Glenwood Springs, and in Rifle, Colorado.
Next Steps
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Please fill out our youth referral form below.
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If you have additional questions regarding a child’s needs, please give us a call 970.920.2130
Become an Event Volunteer
Every summer, the Buddy Program has our two largest fundraisers: Bash for the Buddies and the Boogie’s Buddy Race. Over 100 dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers help make these major fundraising events successful.
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Help with table set up and decorations
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Help with bartending (must have TIPS training)
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Help with clean up
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Help with onsite duties
Boogie's Buddy Race
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Working at the race pre-registration table
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Handing out t-shirts and race bibs
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Assisting at water stations
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Assisting the timing company
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Working the finish line
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Being a race course or walk route marshal
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Helping with cleanup and breakdown
If you are interested in lending a hand, please contact Ali Welch at 970-920-2130
or ali@buddyprogram.org Thank you for your support!
Donate and Sponsor
Your Support Matters!
The Buddy Program empowers youth through mentoring experiences to achieve their full potential. Every youth deserves a mentor! Your support enables us to offer all of our programs and services to the youth and families we serve at no cost. Thank you for your contribution.
The Buddy Program is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your donation may be tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Our tax I.D. number is 74-2594693
All information concerning donors or prospective donors, including their names, addresses and telephone numbers, the names of their beneficiaries, the amount of their gift, etc., shall be kept strictly confidential by the Buddy Program, its staff, and volunteers, unless permission is obtained from donors to release such information
Ways to Donate
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Annual Giving - your annual donation can be made online or by sending a check made out to The Buddy Program, along with your name, address, email, and telephone number to:
110 East Hallam Street, Suite 125
Aspen, Colorado 81611 -
Recurring Giving - join our community of loyal supporters with a monthly, quarterly, or bi-yearly git. Your recurring gift, in the amount you choose, will automatically charge to your credit card at the frequency you select. Make a difference, on your terms!
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Donor Advised Funds and Family Foundations - The Buddy Program welcomes gifts from Donor Advised Funds and Family Foundations. According to IRS regulations from these funds cannot result in any personal or material benefit, including event tickets.
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IRA Charitable Rollover - The IRA charitable rollover allows donors aged 70.5 and older to make tax-free charitable gifts directly from their Individual Retirement Accounts to eligible charities. This allows the donor to meet their distribution minimum without any tax exposure. According to IRS regulations, gifts from these funds cannot result in any personal or material benefit, including event tickets.
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Legacy Gift - Many of our supporters generously include a gift in their wills to ensure their legacy gift lasts forever.
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Gift In Kind - Many local businesses donate their goods or services to the Buddy Program for our online auction or to support our youth, families, and volunteers directly. Please reach out to Laura Seay at lauras@buddyprogram.org or 970-317-2833
What your Donation Supports
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Giving Level
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National Council level
The Buddy Program’s National Council is a group of generous and influential individuals who support and advance the work of the organization.
Your National Council support helps the Buddy Program serve over 500 youth, families, and Big Buddies throughout the Roaring Fork Valley through our four high-quality youth mentoring programs and other critical services. Your donation of $3,000 or purchase of a table at the Bash for the Buddies valued at $10,000 or more entitles you to membership in the National Council for one year from the date of your payment.
Benefits
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Invitations to special events, such as the Annual Celebration Dinner and the Board and National Council Cocktail Party
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Prominent listing in Buddy Program publications, including the Annual Report and the Aspen Times thank you ads
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Quarterly electronic newsletter
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Advance purchase for all Buddy Program events including the Bash for the Buddies
Click here to join the Buddy Program’s National Council now! Please choose National Council from the drop-down gift designation list.
For more information about the Buddy Program’s National Council or to make a gift of stock, please contact
Ali Welch, at 970-920-2130 or ali@buddyprogram.org.
Donors who give $3,000 or more are recognized as members of our National Council Anonymous Donna and Jim Barksdale Connie and Buddy Bates Erin and Doug Becker Gina Berko and David Fleisher, Pitkin County Dry Goods Meredith Berman Jo and Bill Brandt Donna Brittingham and Brian Sears Susan and Robert Brown Andrea and Chris Bryan Andrew Cader Ruth Carver Amy and John Charters David Chazen Mary and Adam Cherry Tom Clark Sarah Clark and Mark Iola Sigrid and Richard Coats Lisa and Barry Cohen Ashley and Wes Cole Mike Connolly Autumn and Mike Davidson Rod de Llano Zak Fishkin and Lupe Sanchez, Double Diamond Moving Company Cristof Eigelberger Amy Elias and Richard Pearlstone Jenny and Simon Elliot Jennifer Engel Kiki and Steven Estrick Muriel and John Eulich Barbara and Aaron Fleck Jon Foley and Jeff Grinspoon Karen and Jim Frank Ed Freedman Anna and Matt Freedman Jessica and John Fullerton Molly and Will Gilmore Michelle and Jared Goldberg Katie and Adam Goldsmith Mary and Mark Gould, Sr., Gould Construction Lindsay and Mark Gould, Jr. Gould Construction Tracy and King Grant Bush Helzberg Amanda and Bret Hirsh Charlie Hopton Alexandra Hughes Soledad and Robert Hurst Anna Itenberg and James Fosnaught Mary and Tom James Laura and Mike Kaplan Randy and Ken Kendrick Lisa and Peter Kraus Marian and Leonard Lansburgh Melony and Adam Lewis Warren Lichtenstein Daylene and Gary Lichtenwalter Barbara and David Lipman Rod de Llano Mona Look-Mazza and Tony Mazza Diane and Charles Lott Paul MacCaskill Jennifer and Joe Mason Erin McGuire and Michael Steiner Craig Melville Sissy and Brent Miller Jay Mills Lizzie and Sarah Means, Miron Crosby Lucy Moncada Becky and Mike Murray Annie and Michael Murray Lauren and Andy Myatt Jeff Nablo Janet and Tom O'Connor Melayne and Ian Packer Meghan and Aaron Pearlman Gina Berko and David Fleisher, Pitkin County Dry Goods Dana Presutti Kelli and Allen Questrom Lynda and Stewart Resnick Kori and Trenton Rhodes Mary Rippy Lee and Steve Rittvo Lisa Rothblum Alexandra and Gunnar Sachs Karen and Nathan Sandler Clare and Marius Sanger Kathryn and Jeffrey Sansone Lorraine and Mark Schapiro Gail Schmidt and Daniel E Schmidt IV Kaye Scoggin and Lewis LeClair Sasha Semple Jacqueline and Neal Shear Lori and Marty Shellist Juliet Shield-Taylor Bren Simon Hillary and Scott Simon Yasmin Simon Lauren and Michael Sorochinsky Erika and Karim Souki Candice and Steven Stark Billy Stolz Nicole and Lex Tarumianz Natalia and Drew Taylor Hannah Thompson Alicia and J.B. Turbidy Gina and Andrew Turchin Linda Vitti Herbst and Clancy Joe Herbst Jeanne and Ned Walker Melani and Rob Walton Tillie Walton Morgan and Lucas Warth Riley Warwick Waters Kraus & Pual Ginny and Will Weathers Gail and Lenny "Boogie" Weinglass Diane and Gerald Wendel Julia and John Whipple Karen Wing Tamara and Frank Woods Lorrie Wright-LaRose and Tim LaRose
Sponsorships
The Buddy Program offers Annual Sponsorships with year round benefits as well as event specific sponsorships for our Bash for the Buddies, Boogie’s Buddy Race, Buddy Program’s Online Auction, and the Gingerbread Workshop events! We offer many levels of sponsorship and make it our highest priority to ensure that we meet your business’s marketing and networking needs. Please reach out to Laura Seay at lauras@buddyprogram.org or 970-317-2833