“Feeling lucky in 2020?”

I just about burst into hollow laughter when I read this headline to my column last January. If I had any inkling of how this year would really go, my column leading into this year would’ve set a different tone entirely.

Although this year didn’t go the way any of us had hoped it would, it’s important to celebrate all the good things that happened—the connections we made, the moments we shared with friends and family, and the people we helped and who helped us.

When you’re putting together your Christmas gift list for family and loved ones, don’t forget to include our local charitable organizations and nonprofits in your holiday giving. Many of their operations and programs have been hit hard by COVID-19, as well as the populations they serve. If you’re able to give monetarily, please reach out to the organization’s development director or charitable giving department to find out more about options that provide the most benefit.

If you want to simplify your gift-giving, Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, December 8. Donate to local nonprofits online at www.ColoradoGivesDay.org. Donors can schedule a donation now that will benefit from a $1 million incentive fund, shared among all participating nonprofits.

Tell us who’s the best

BEACON readers know best, so tell us about the businesses with exceptional staff, products and services by nominating them for the 2021 BEACON Best Awards. Sharing the love is a win-win! Nominators are given the chance to win gift cards to some of their favorite organizations, while the most voted-on businesses will be featured in a special awards section in February’s BEACON. Mail in the completed ballot on page 41 or vote at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com.

BEACON brings home the bacon

Thank you to the BEACON staff, our writers, supportive advertisers and faithful readers for a successful year at the North American Mature Publishers Association journalism competition! While I wish I could relive memories of networking with other senior publishers on a San Diego beach (that’s where this year’s conference was supposed to be before going virtual), I’m pleased with the stack of awards I got to “bring home.” Read more about our award-winning publications on page 32.

BEACON Guide coming soon

Next month, you’ll find a copy of the 2021 BEACON Guide tucked inside our January issue. This annual publication is designed to help you age well by providing seniors and their caregivers with hundreds of hard-to-find phone numbers for local, state and national resources. It also features informative articles to help with the transitions you or a loved one may be going through. Call us to request your free copies: 243-8829.

From all of us at the BEACON: We wish you a safe holiday season, a very joyous Christmas and a much-improved new year!

Letters from our readers

“Thank you for our fantastic full page
Humana ad in October’s BEACON! I’ve already had calls so far. Woohoo! More to come! So excited! Loved all the great info you shared in this edition. Awesome job!”

- Patti Zapf, Humana 

“As a former small business owner, I do try to support other local businesses by always voting [for things such as BEACON Best]. On another note, I love the BEACON and read it cover to cover, every issue! Kudos to everyone on staff for a consistent job well done!”

- Elaine Johnson 

“I have read the BEACON for some time and find it very relevant to community events, needs and culture. Recently, I have spoken to Debra regarding networking our COVID services and she was most receptive. Keep up the good work and partnerships in the community, as it is a valuable service.”

- Diane Birmingham, RN, MPH, Mind Springs Health

“Where can I get a BEACON? I went to City Market today and they had a whole pile yesterday and they disappeared as fast as they got there! I do like the BEACON! There are a lot of good stories. I have two back issues I’m saving until my daughter comes to visit at Thanksgiving because she loves to read them, too. I love it also because it has articles that are useful to me. Old Bag is so funny, too!”

- Evelyn

RE: November issue 

“Thank you so much for the wonderful article on our local veterans! It is truly uplifting that you remember our veterans’ past and present service to our nation.”

- Wayne C. Telford, Vietnam veteran
and Gold Star father

RE: “Modern Elder Academy”/October cover 

“Thank you for the opportunity to have the article on MEA! It was great! But the cover page to me and others was distasteful.”

- Yolanda D.