As we gather with our family and friends this month in thanksgiving, we asked several community members how they express their gratitude with their time, talent, and treasure. Here, they share the heart behind their generosity.
Sarah Emiline Wright
YANA nonprofit and Engineering Manager for Blue Origin
I first discovered YANA — a new-mom peer support nonprofit that stands for You Are Not Alone — on a bulletin board after moving to Highlands Ranch, but it didn't become part of my life until I joined its Strong Mamas Thriving Babies program after the birth of my second daughter, Iris. Iris is a rainbow baby, born after a miscarriage that deeply shook my mental health. Having experienced the baby blues with my older daughter Ivy, I knew I needed more support this time.
The peer support changed everything. Connecting with moms whose babies were born days apart from mine, all of us navigating the same milestones while sleep-deprived and vulnerable, made postpartum feel far more doable. Now a couple of years past the newborn chaos, I've joined the YANA board to give back so more moms can find that same support.
Michelle Oddo
Branch Manager of The Oddo Group at OriginPoint in Highlands Ranch
When I think about gratitude, I think about more than appreciating what I have. I think about how I can use my time, talent, and treasure to help create opportunity for someone else.
Over the years, I’ve supported organizations that help veterans, single moms, and families who may not have the resources for a traditional down payment achieve homeownership. Why does that matter so much to me? Because after more than 30 years in mortgage lending, I’ve seen that a home is far more than brick and mortar. It can create stability, build equity, grow wealth, and change the trajectory of a family for generations. Homeownership can become part of a child’s future, a family’s security, and a legacy that lasts.
For me, gratitude means helping open doors that once felt closed and using what I’ve been given to help someone else build something lasting: a place to call home.
Lasinda and Jimmy Crane
Owners, Cranelli's Italian Restaurant
Since opening our doors in 2013, Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant has been built on a simple promise: you cannot get without giving. For over a decade, our family-owned Lone Tree staple has proudly served as a community pillar, actively partnering with local schools, sports teams, youth groups, and churches across Colorado. Beyond hosting two monthly give-back nights — donating 20 percent of evening proceeds to participating local organizations — we regularly donate hundreds of gift cards and cater events celebrating our dedicated educators and staff. Guided by a spirit of generosity, we rarely turn down a request for help. Through our long-standing partnership with Third Meal, we routinely supply freshly prepared food and free meals to underprivileged neighbors. To us, community is everything; nourishing our local neighborhood will always be just as vital as serving an unforgettable home-cooked meal.
Gary Herbella
Highlands Ranch volunteer
As I recall my history of volunteer activity, I cannot think of a time in my adult life that I have not been involved in my community as a volunteer. It’s a big part of who I am and gives me satisfaction in feeling that I’m somehow making my community more complete.
I have served on the Highlands Ranch Metro District Board of Directors, as a trustee for the Highlands Ranch Park and Recreation Foundation, and filled numerous roles for homeowners associations. I’m a docent at the Highlands Ranch Mansion. I have participated in fundraising efforts for, among others, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
I believe that a community can be as great as its members work to make it. One of my favorite quotes is, “Opportunities abound.”
Tara Meekma
Councilmember, City of Lone Tree
How can you make a difference in your community? In my own life, I’ve found the simplest answer: just show up.
I used to think getting involved meant having some special skill, a ton of extra time, or knowing exactly what I was doing. Turns out, most of the time it starts with simply being willing to help. I’ve also learned that “showing up” doesn’t mean saying yes to everything. It means figuring out where your time and talents can actually be useful and choosing to invest them there.
I hope my daughter grows up seeing that being part of a community also means contributing to it. I’m grateful for the time I’ve been able to give and, even more, for the people and experiences that have come from it. It doesn’t have to be something huge. A little time and a willingness to help go a long way.
Larry Meyers
Backpack Society volunteer and school teacher
Several years ago I saw a story on Channel 9 News with Kyle Clark about a nonprofit dedicated to helping those in need who were struggling to put food on their tables. I was impressed with their mission and decided to not only donate financially to them, but to get involved by donating time as well. Each week I am fortunate to be able to pack weekend bags of food for school students who are food-challenged over the weekends. I am also able to deliver these bags to some of the schools in our area.
It’s been a wonderful experience meeting like-minded people from our community in an effort to help these students in their time of need. I’ve had so many wonderful comments from the people in the schools. It makes you feel so good to know that you’re making a positive contribution to your community.