It was a delightfully bustling March! The River Deep Foundation, acting in partnership with our nonprofit Alliance partners, corporate event providers, volunteers and donors, hosted events for dozens of people — including a veteran who told us this after an outing: “This helps me not to isolate. I’ve been isolating a lot. I think a lot of veterans do, and it’s bad for mental health. I recently had a friend commit suicide, so this was really needed to get me out of my own head.
Valhalla Trap Shooting with the Valhalla Bijou Hunt Club
Bennett, Colorado, March 2, 2024
Participant: Craig Hospital
It was a beautiful spring day for everyone to have a chance to blast some clay targets! Several of our participants from Craig Hospital had previous shooting experience — which became obvious from the number of clays hit! And new shooters had fun, too, thanks to expert assistance. After a fun morning, everyone enjoyed lunch provided by the club.
Art Class at Cottonwood Arts Center: Tranquil Art
Colorado Springs, March 4, 2024
Participants: Operation TBI Freedom and the Yellow Ribbon Fund
Our thanks to instructor Julie for this helpful introduction to Neurographic Art. Five veterans and five family members engaged in this approach to art therapy. Neurographic art is a way of drawing that recreates the outer from the inner, based on the neuroplasticity of the brain. It aims to change the beliefs, perspectives and reality of the artist and the world, by softening the edges and merging with the whole.
Art Class with the Art Students League of Denver: Bean mosaics
Denver, March 5, 2024
Participants: Craig Hospital and the VA
Participants reached into bowls and bowls of beautiful dried beans of different shapes, sizes and colors and let their imgaginations run wild to create mosaics to take-home.
The Basics of Fencing at the Denver Fencing Center
Denver, March 9, 2024
Participant: Craig Hospital
En garde! Our participants suited up and met with fencing instructors to cover the basics of this sport that is especially good for developing core strength and flexibility! Participants enjoyed a little friendly sparring, too.
A Night with the Denver Nuggets
Denver, March 9, 2024
Participants: Operation TBI Freedom, Fort Carson Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU), VA
Kroenke Sorts generously donated a private suite for our veterans to enjoy while watching the Nuggets triumph over the Utah Jazz. This fun evening out was the first time some of our event participants have watched a Nuggets game in Ball Arena.
Archery with RMS Gear
Wheat Ridge, Colorado, March 17, 2024
Participants: Craig Hospital and the VA
Our participants focused on the fundamentals of archery with guidance from RMS Gear’s expert staff. After a morning of slinging arrows, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Gondolier Italian Eatery.
Blacksmithing and Welding at Kilroy’s Workshop
Colorado Springs, March 23, 2024
Participants: Operation TBI Freedom, SRU, VA and the Yellow Ribbon Fund
The basics of welding and blacksmithing — and more advanced techniques — are covered, allowing participants of all skill levels to tackle the projects of their choice.
A Night with the Colorado Avalanche
Denver, March 30, 2024
Participants: Operation TBI Freedom, SRU, VA
Kroenke Sports treated our veteran game-watchers to a fun night of NHL hockey, when the Avalanche took on the Nashville Predators. Everyone enjoyed great food and conversation from a private suite in Ball Arena.
