What is LoDo Cares?
LoDo Cares is a collaboration between LoDo District and LoDoNa. We work to ensure we give back to the community who has given so much to its residents and businesses. To do so, LoDo Cares oversees community volunteer projects, resident support programs as well as raises funds for philanthropic work.
The Barth Hotel
· The Barth Hotel is an assisted living residence for seniors and older adults with disabilities.
· LoDo Cares helps organize field trips to various spots around the city to engage the residents in different activities.
· The most popular events are definitely food related activities. Each summer LoDo Cares hosts the popular summer barbeque for the residents. We also organize dining events for the residents, where a local LoDo restaurant will either host or cater meals for the residents.
Holiday Project
· The year 2015 marked the beginning of a multi-year partnership between LoDo Cares and the Barth Hotel.
· In years past, funds from the Holiday Project were collected and then distributed to various non-profits around Denver. However, the LoDo Cares committee strongly believed that the money donated by LoDo’s residents and business should stay in LoDo.
· Donations in 2015 went towards much-needed updates to the Barth’s kitchen and dining areas. We hope this partnership continues to grow for years to come.
LoDo Angels
· LoDo Angels is a volunteer network of residents and local business people who have stepped up to be of help for neighbors in need.
· It is a centralized network with an email and telephone number to be called. LoDo Angels is also set up to send greeting cards to people who are ill, have had a death or crisis in the family, or might appreciate acknowledgement of something special in their life.
Compassionate Neighborhood
· Early in 2014, as a result of the LoDo Cares Initiatives, LoDo was recognized as the first Compassionate Neighborhood in the Charter for Compassion International’s Compassionate Community Campaign ( originally it was a City Campaign – and once LoDo was recognized they changed the campaign to communities).
· This is a designation, and we’re still looking for a champion for this initiative.
Creek Cleanup
· In 2016, the Cherry Creek Clean-up Committee will hold 13 work days along the Cherry Creek pedestrian and bike paths between Confluence Park and Larimer Plaza.
· Their work includes trash collection and the eradication of invasive plant species along the paths. They also hope to plan, plant, and maintain three pocket gardens on the path at the intersection of Wynkoop Street.
· Their efforts continue from May through October with volunteers including neighborhood residents and local business people.
Playground Cleanup
· The design, fundraising for, construction and maintenance of the Downtown Children's Playground has been a project of the Lower Downtown Neighborhood Association since 1999.
· When LoDoNA and the LoDo District combined their philanthropic efforts and created LoDo Cares, the playground fell under the LoDo Cares umbrella. With construction now complete, they have a contract with Denver Parks and Rec's adopt a park program whereby they provide volunteers to help maintain the playground.
· They work twice a month at the playground picking up trash, sweeping, weeding, pruning, cleaning tables and benches and doing whatever else needs to be done.
· The group brings together the residents (LoDoNA) and businesses (LoDo District) and allows them to be more effective and far-reaching in our activities.
In addition to these ongoing projects, LoDo Cares spends time evaluating how to best make a lasting impact in the neighborhood. By weighing important factors like the committee’s time and resources, other organizations doing great and similar work, tangible outputs, the committee was able to narrow in on causes that could truly benefit from our support.
