Since she was a little girl, Trecia Lascor has had love in her heart for the world’s disadvantaged children, particularly those living in Africa. Trecia also has a passion for baking. She owns Sweet Things, a pastry and baking company in Denver. Her compassion and tender heart led her to participate in The 1010 Project’s Shop for a Cause Holiday Market in November.

Trecia not only donated all the ingredients and her time to prepare these amazing baked goods at Shop for a Cause, but she also donated all of Sweet Things’ proceeds back to The 1010 Project. Trecia believes she can use her gift (baking) as a way to help fund long-term solutions that strengthen and sustain our partner schools in Kenya. Trecia’s delicious carrot cakes, pumpkin cheesecakes, caramels, and fudges raised almost $350 for The 1010 Project. This was in addition to the many other ways she supported this event: planning, marketing, volunteer recruitment, and finding other resources to not only ensure the market happened, but that it was a success!

Trecia’s enthusiastic dedication to fighting poverty has inspired others. At the 2011 Shop for a Cause Holiday Market, an 11 year old girl met Trecia and has asked to participate in the same way at next year’s Market, making Italian Soda. Trecia explains her own inspiration, “Since I was a fairly young girl I have believed that God has given us the body of believers to support, encourage and come alongside one another. I think this has continued to be true all my life whether those other individuals were next door, in my own church, or across the world in a village in Africa. We all truly do need each other and need to do whatever each of us can, whether a big or small thing, to help each other and to share the love of Jesus. It all makes a difference!”

The 1010 Project has partnered with the Colorado Rapids (the current MLS champs) for their Nonprofit of the Match program. The Rapids will spotlight a Colorado nonprofit at each home game in 2011, and we’re scheduled for October 1st at 7 pm at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Our Rapids will be squaring off against FC Dallas, the team that we defeated to gain the MLS Cup in 2010. It will be a great game.

The Nonprofit of the Match program allows us to sell discounted tickets for $25 – The 1010 Project keeps $5 from each ticket sold! You must buy tickets through this special link in order for us to receive the gift: http://www.pepsicenter.com/groups/rapids/1010project

Check out the Facebook event as well – invite your friends: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=236822393037440

We’re also looking for volunteers to help run our information table. Contact info@the1010project.org if you’re available that evening.

Couldn’t make it to the game? Make a donation instead!

Relay team up close

In a sweltering heat, there might be nothing finer than jumping in a pool of chilly water, or a cool breeze rustling through your hair as you pedal along a tree-lined road, or perhaps the feeling of a cold wet towel and a cup of ice water handed to you as you run (or walk) across a finish line. Yet, there is something even more gratifying: knowing that you are raising money for a great cause while doing so!

The annual “Your Cause Sports” event in Boulder provides the perfect opportunity for anyone to perform one, two, or even all three of these shining examples of athleticism while raising funds for the non-profit of their choice. Last fall, more than 30 people joined the E-Race Poverty Challenge Team, swimming, biking, and running their way to the finish line to raise awareness of and funds for The 1010 Project and our partners in Kenya.

Our bag pick up location

Some members of last year’s E-Race Poverty Challenge Team ran a 5K for the first time! Still others formed relay teams so they could do their favorite leg of the triathlon. Many used this as an opportunity to set a goal and train all summer to reach that goal. Tremendous determination, encouragement, teamwork, and a sense of accomplishment were exuded by all.

The 1010 Project also made a huge splash at the awards ceremony, with one of the men’s relay teams taking first place and one of our women’s relay teams taking third. Best of all, our team raised over $4,000!

So how about it? Can you think of a better way to spend the Saturday of Labor Day weekend? With an afternoon start time, you don’t even have to wake up early! Cheering fans, free food and a beer garden await you at the finish line!

Melissa finishing the race

We invite you to join The 1010 Project’s E-Race Poverty Challenge Team! Register today! Here’s how: Head over to our E-RACE Poverty Challenge page and sign yourself up. We’ll email you what you need to register through Your Cause Sports along with information about our special team running shirts.

Can’t run, bike or swim this year? Join our team of supporters! Instead of paying a race registration fee, make that your donation to The 1010 Project! Your investment will go miles to help break the cycle of poverty!

(Volunteers are always needed for the event. Sign up on the Your Cause Sports website.)

Our office looks nothing like this

The 1010 Project has always benefited greatly from the work of dedicated interns and volunteers, generally drawing our professionals from such interesting locations as Metro State, the University of Denver, Colorado Christian University, and others. We are again in need of interns, both for the soon-to-be-upon-us summer and into the fall/winter.

Despite regulations to the contrary, internships sometimes devolve into boring paperwork and filing, so as an organization, we’re very cognizant about the need to provide meaningful, impactful experiences to our interns. In fact, the first question that we ask when a new recruit comes in is “What do you want to get out of this internship?” Each intern is intimately involved in crafting a workplan that provides great value to his/herself as well as The 1010 Project.

And we’re recruiting! Drop us a line using our Volunteer/Intern Form, or simply email info@the1010project.org. We are currently looking for interns in realms the communications, grantwriting, and nonprofit administration. Please pass this announcement along to students who might be interested. Thanks!

Sample duty lists:

Nonprofit Management Intern (needed after August 2011)

• Financial Management
  • Record donations
  • Oversee donor relations, i.e. appreciation emails, letters, etc.
• Administrative duties
  • Record and distribute staff meeting minutes
  • Communicate with constituents/organizations
  • Assist Executive Director and Director of Operations
• Office Management/Organization
  • Inventory and manage collateral materials (schwag)
  • Maintain a filing system (one already exists, but needs upkeep)
• Other duties as assigned

Communications Intern (needed for Summer 2011 as well as Fall/Winter 2011-2012)

• Manage and update social media outlets as needed
• Write press releases and develop media engagement strategies
• Storytelling
  • Capturing and sharing the voices of our partners, through the written word and our extensive photo collection
  • Video editing experience a plus
  • Compile compelling partner stories to share with supporters
• Other duties as assigned

Events Intern (exceptional need for Summer 2011 as well as Fall/Winter 2011-2012)

• Research, plan, publicize, and coordinate events
  • Solicit local business participation in fundraising events
  • Work closely with Executive Director and Director of Operations to plan and execute events
  • Manage volunteers for events
• Other duties as assigned