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Week of December 8, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO
A publication of
VOLUME 96 | ISSUE 3
‘Pure generosity’
‘We are staying’
Charity vending machine returns to Denver
Students at American Indian Academy of Denver speak up for their school
BY ELICIA HESSELGRAVE SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Today, 10-year-old Jewell Jaussi understands that the holiday season is about giving. But that wasn’t always the case. “When I was younger,” she said, “I thought Christmas was just about gifts.” Something that helped her realize this is her family’s tradition of donating to the Light the World Giving Machines. “Giving Machines are just like vending machines, but instead of getting stuff for yourself, you’re (purchasing) something for others,” Jaussi said. Vending machines for donations The Giving Machines are part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ annual Light the World holiday initiative. The Giving Machines provide a unique opportunity for people to give to others, said Craig McIlroy, team lead for the Denver Giving Machines’ Organizing Committee. “There’s a lot that divides us and (the Giving Machines) bring us together in a common purpose,” McIllroy said. “I think everybody agrees we should help those in need.” How it works is people visit the Giving Machine — this year’s Denver machine will be located at Writer Square downtown — and select an item to donate to a charity. Upon selection, the donor is given a card-like receipt of their purchase. One hundred percent of every dollar contributed goes directly to the participating charities, and all overhead is covered through other sources, McIlroy said. This year, donors can choose from
BY MELANIE ASMAR CHALKBEAT
The Jaussi family gathers for a photo in front of Denver’s Light the World Giving MaCOURTESY PHOTO chine last year.
items that range in price from $5 to $250. A few examples include children’s bandages for $8, a kit of hygiene products for $30 and sponsoring a community garden for $250. Multiple donations can be made in a single transaction. The Giving Machines “are a great example of how anyone can give at any amount to come together and support our community” and Metro Caring’s mission, said Brandon McKinley, communications and marketing specialist for Metro Caring. Metro Caring is a Denver-based nonprofit that provides nutritious food to people while working to address the root causes of hunger. It is one of the local charities benefitting from the Giving Machine this year.
A family tradition The Jaussi family — which consists of mother Heather; father Steven; Jewell; James, 7; and Adelaide, 1 — has been donating to the Denver Giving Machine since 2019. “I love this tradition because it brings us together as a family to go serve and help others in need,” Jewell Jaussi said. The tradition begins each year when the family visits the Giving Machine’s website to decide which items each family member wants to purchase for their donation. Then, donning their Light the World garb, the Jaussi family commutes from their Highlands Ranch home to attend the Unwrapping event in SEE GENEROSITY, P2
Charlie Windy Boy was one of dozens of students, parents and community members who pleaded with the Denver school board on Nov. 28 not to close the American Indian Academy of Denver, a charter school that is struggling with low enrollment and funding. Native American students told stories of being bullied in their previous schools but not at AIAD. They introduced themselves in Navajo and Lakota, and their parents spoke of the power of restoring those languages to their families. Community members wore black T-shirts that said, “DPS has a strange way of celebrating Native American Heritage Month.” “You already took our land,” Windy Boy said. “Why are you trying to take our school?” AIAD supporters were at the meeting because district officials have said they’re considering the unusual step of revoking the school’s charter for educational and financial reasons, including that the school may run out of money. But Superintendent Alex Marrero said he was “flabbergasted” by the demand to save the school when he hadn’t yet recommended closing it. AIAD was planning more advocacy on Nov. 28 — the anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre — SEE STAYING, P4
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 11
THE UNDERRATED TEACHER P14