Mile High Magazine Podcast

Guest: Major Nesan Kistan Divisional Commander of Intermountain Division The Salvation Army has launched its annual Red Kettle Campaign, supporting a wide range of services that benefit local communities throughout the holiday season and beyond. In addition to hosting its annual Thanksgiving Community Meal at the Colorado Convention Center on November 26, the organization provides Christmas toy assistance, operates a safe parking program for families experiencing homelessness, and is helping support both National Guard members and residents affected by Colorado flooding. Through partnerships such as the Angel Tree program with Walmart, donations made to Red Kettles remain in the local community, helping ensure families receive the support they need. Every gift truly has the power to change a life. Salvation-now.org

Guest: Liz and Amy What began as a simple act of compassion has grown into a mission to support families in need throughout the community. After learning that many families at the daycare at Arapahoe Community College were struggling to afford basic necessities, Liz organized donations to provide toys and grocery gift cards to those in need. When the daycare closed, the effort shifted to supporting survivors of domestic violence through the Ember Center. The need remains significant: every minute, 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner, and every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted. For more than 40 years, the Ember Center has provided free and confidential services, including a 24-hour crisis line, therapy, and advocacy programs, serving residents of Arapahoe and Douglas counties, as well as Elbert and Lincoln counties. Community members can support the effort by donating toys, clothing, or making a financial contribution, either through the donation drive at Sunset Grill or directly to the Ember Center. EmberCenterCO.org 24-hour crisis line at 303-688-8484

Guest: Michelle Sie Whitten The Global Down Syndrome Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to improving health outcomes for people with Down syndrome, will host its 19th annual Be Beautiful, Be Yourself Fashion Show on November 7. As the world’s largest Down syndrome fundraiser, the event attracts about 1,400 attendees from across the U.S. and around the world for an auction and runway show featuring celebrities alongside individuals with Down syndrome. This year’s event will honor Kennedy Garcia, the first person with Down syndrome to hold a recurring role on a daytime soap opera, and Maria Menounos with the Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Awards. Global Ambassador Letitia Napoleone, a model and aspiring actress with Down syndrome, will also be featured. Celebrity attendees include Justin Timberlake, who will walk the runway with his niece, along with Geena Davis, Christian Slater, Terrell Davis, John C. McGinley, Katherine Scorsone, and Olympic gold medalist Alana Myers Taylor. The Foundation also continues to advance groundbreaking research, helping secure more than $538 million in NIH funding over the past eight years and expand clinical trials for people with Down syndrome. Advocates are also supporting the bipartisan DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act, legislation that would make the NIH’s Down syndrome research program permanent. bebeautifulbeyourself.org globaldownsyndromefoundation.org

Guest: Adrian Varney Proceeds Manager This marks the eighth year the Colorado Lottery has celebrated Conservation Month, highlighting the incredible outdoor spaces and experiences made possible through lottery players and the many partners who help bring these projects to life. The Colorado Lottery is unique in that it directs 100% of its proceeds toward protecting and enhancing Colorado’s outdoor resources. Last year, through the Starburst Awards program, the Lottery recognized a brand-new school and returned $181 million to Colorado communities. On average, 20 to 21 cents of every dollar spent on Scratch tickets goes back to the state, with even higher returns from games like Powerball. the ColoradoLottery.com

Guest: Amira Watters Executive Director Spay Today is a nonprofit, low-cost veterinary clinic in Lakewood dedicated to helping Denver-area pet owners access affordable care. The clinic specializes in spay and neuter surgeries for dogs, cats, and rabbits, performs about 30 surgeries each day, and also offers vaccinations and microchipping. By preventing unwanted litters, Spay Today helps address pet overpopulation, crowded shelters, and animal homelessness. Through its Spay It Forward Program, the organization provides reduced-cost or free services to ensure every pet owner can access the care their animals need. https://spay.today/

Guest: Tim Taravella Executive Director October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Sense of Security is helping Colorado families affected by breast cancer by providing up to $500 per month for six months to help cover essential non-medical expenses such as housing, utilities, and groceries. Since 2000, the organization has assisted more than 2,600 families, but there are currently 176 women and their families on the waitlist for support. To raise awareness and funds, Sense of Security will host Splash of Pink on October 16 at Mile High Station and Pickle Pink, a pickleball tournament, on October 25 at Chicken N Pickle in Thornton. With one in seven Coloradans expected to face breast cancer during their lifetime, these events help provide critical support to families navigating the challenges of a diagnosis and treatment. Senseofsecurity.org

Guest: Christina Amparon City of Aurora Youth Violence Prevention Program During the afternoon of Sunday, August 30, over 500 teens descended upon the King Soopers store and the Burger King restaurant in the Aurora Hoffman Heights Shopping Center. It took over 70 police to quell the vandalizing and ripping off of merchandise. These “teen takeovers” have also happened in Chicago and Detroit. This program covers what can be done to end them here. 

Guest: Marissa Volpe Associate State Director for Livable & Diverse Communities AARP is the nation's largest nonpartisan organization dedicated to helping people age with dignity and on their own terms. As Colorado's population continues to age, AARP provides a wide range of resources focused on caregiving, financial security, technology skills, workforce readiness, and combating ageism. Across the state, AARP offers educational classes, community meetups, and programs such as Movies for Grownups. The organization also supports age-friendly communities by promoting initiatives that improve digital literacy, pedestrian safety, public transportation accessibility, and overall community livability for older adults. aarp.org

Guest: Gabriel Guillaume Executive Director Second Wind Fund works to prevent youth suicide by removing financial and social barriers to mental health treatment. The organization partners with approximately 300 therapists across Colorado who specialize in suicide prevention and connects them with at-risk youth referred by parents, schools, faith-based groups, and other community organizations. Serving 44 of Colorado's 64 counties, Second Wind Fund provides in-person therapy and supports between 600 and 800 young people each year. With Colorado consistently ranking among the states with the highest suicide rates, the need for these services remains critical. In 2025 alone, 65 Colorado youth died by suicide, including 25 children between the ages of 10 and 14. thesecondwindfund.org

Guest: Pearlanne Zelarney Co-Dir. Communications There is no higher civic responsibility than voting, with Sept. 16 being National Voter Registration Day. With 800 League Chapters in all 50 states, the League of Women Voters is working feverishly to get Denver and Colorado ready for the forthcoming mid-term elections. From registration to non-candidate ballot insights the League is getting the word out. https://www.lwv.org/local-leagues/lwv-denver