TLC Does Heavy Lifting with Denver’s Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado

In early June staff from TLC’s LA and DC offices met in Denver for our most challenging Year of Service project yet –two days of trail restoration with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC). VOC is a non-profit based in Denver and the organization is committed to motivating and enabling citizens to protect, enhance, restore and preserve Colorado’s outdoors. Projects range from tree planting to invasive weed removal to campsite and trail restoration.

On a 1-10 scale of difficulty, TLC’s Team Denver agrees that their assignment was an 11! Along with a group of about 70 volunteers, the team was tasked with helping to restore the beautiful Midland Hill Trail. This meant constructing 170 new steps of rock, installing over 30 feet of new rock walls, building several large switchbacks (trails that follow a zigzag course on a steep incline), and rehabilitating over 2,000 feet of existing trail. Set near the scenic mountains of Buena Vista, the Midland Hill Trail is subject to severe erosion due to the rain storms that often hit this valley region and regular maintenance is important in keeping the trail safe for Colorado’s many hikers.

Although exhausted upon their return, TLC volunteers agreed that the experience was incredibly rewarding. “The VOC staff were just great!” said VP of West Coast Operations, Anthony Plamondon. “Our crew leader Joe was so experienced and funny, too. He made sure we had a lot of fun while working hard. I’m really proud of our team – this project was no easy feat!”

Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado’s Project Manager Matt Martinez was equally impressed with TLC volunteers. “Our organization is grateful to receive a lot of donations, but it’s rare that comes coupled with boats on the ground,” Matt remarked about TLC’s willingness to jump in and help on one of the more challenging projects this season.

For more information about volunteer opportunities with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, or to make a gift, contact Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, Becca Summer at becca@voc.org.

Spotlight: Marcy Rodriguez

This month’s TLC Spotlight is on Marcy Rodriguez, Account Manager for TLC’s west coast office.

After graduating from UCLA (Go Bruins!) with a B.A. Art History, Marcy went on to work in membership for the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach, CA. From there, Marcy decided she wanted use her membership experience to help multiple museums and nonprofits – and TLC west thanks their lucky stars for the fateful choice that brought Marcy to their team! Marcy loves supporting arts and cultural nonprofits every day through her work for clients like Natural History Museum of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Let’s get to know Marcy a little better…

Five words that best describe you: Mature, traditional, sporty, fun and hungry (I enjoy food!)

What clubs or sports teams did you participate in in high school? I went to High School in Morelia Michoacán, Mexico and I was very involved with a lot of groups and sports including the school’s female soccer team, theater, and a teen Catholic group.

What’s your favorite sports team? Any UCLA team – I’m with them through the good times and the bad times.

List five websites you visit most: Los Angeles Times, Facebook, Google, and quite a few different health websites and client websites.

What brought you to the LA area? I was born in LA, but grew up in Mexico. My family moved back to LA after my high school graduation when I went on to study at UCLA.  What keeps me here is my family, the cultural diversity, the wonderful weather, and endless possibilities.

What organizations do you support? I give to the UCLA Alumni Association, Red Cross, and I’m also a member at many different Los Angeles/Long Beach museums.

Describe your perfect Saturday. Nice LA weather and picnic lunch at a park overlooking the ocean.  Maybe some time alone reading a book, and then off to hang out with my family for a fun-filled evening of food and laughter.

What book is currently on your nightstand? “Women Don’t Ask” and “Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error”.

Tell us – what’s on your iPod? Actually, I currently don’t own an iPod – but I enjoy listening to the radio!

What is your favorite TV show? I don’t watch much TV, but I like to catch up with “Mad Men” and “The Big Bang Theory” occasionally. 

Share one to-do that ranks high on your “bucket list”. Skydiving!

What’s your favorite local lunch spot? It depends on what type of food I feel like having. I love that LA has such a variety! But right now I will say King Taco. I love their tacos and aguas frescas.

Why do you work at TLC? The main reason why I joined TLC, and why I’m still here, is because I really enjoy supporting nonprofit organizations both personally and professionally.