2022 Erie Community Stars
Each year the Erie Rotary plays host to a Charity Gala to honor a few outstanding and remarkable citizens in our community that demonstrate Service Above Self.
We want to help celebrate sung and unsung heroes that are the embodiment of what makes Erie a great place to live and raise a family.
Commander Mike Haefele
Erie Police Department
Mike is the first command staff member at the Police Department who has served his entire Law Enforcement Career in Erie. He has been awarded the Life-Saving Medal, 4 Police Merit Awards, Community Service Award, Leadership Award, 12 Department Certificates and has been recognized as Employee of the Year 3 separate times.
His involvement goes well beyond police work and has included: “Storytime with Officer Mike” at the Erie Library, and has helped organize Town Fairs, Homecoming Parades, Concerts in the Park, and numerous other community events. Commander Haefele has done amazing things in the Town of Erie during his tenure with the police department and his positive impact on the Town is beyond measure.
Dr. Jackie Kapushion
St. Vrain Valley Schools
Dr. Kapushion serves as Deputy Superintendent of the seventh largest district in Colorado, serving approximately 33,000 students. She is responsible for student achievement across the board and has ensured that more than 90% of St. Vrain Valley Schools are within the top two state accreditations.
Spanning a career of more than 30 years in public education, Dr. Kapushion has committed her life to ensuring that public schools deliver on their promise to our students, families, community and nation.
Dr. Kapushion is a unique leader, she regularly celebrates the accomplishments of staff at every level of the organization, including formal awards, public recognitions at large convenings, and personal, private praise. She deflects public recognition for her own accomplishments, instead choosing to focus attention on the many people who make students, schools, programs, and initiatives successful.
Luke Bolinger
Erie Parks and Recreation
Luke believes that through hard work, dedication, sacrifice and a bit of luck, anyone can be successful. These same principles guide Luke when he manages multi-million dollar projects on the Town’s behalf. Luke has impeccable honesty and integrity, he displays attention to detail, commitment to process and belief in transparency every time he sets foot on a job site or processes an invoice for work. He takes the time to meet with people one on one and follows up with the extra steps to cultivate and retain trust.
At the heart of everything he does for the town, his first priority is to support the people who call our community home and provide them access to facilities that keep their body and mind active.
Lt. Tim Losh
Mountain View Fire and Rescue
Tim became a member of Mountain View Fire and Rescue in 1982, and from that moment on he has been a role model, leader, mentor and friend to all.
When Tim responds to an incident, no matter how minor or how large, he treats everyone with respect and the same care he would give to his own family. He builds and retains strong relationships within our town, and the surrounding communities. He fully represents service above self as a First Responder, trainer for community-focused fire-fighters, showing up for neighboring fire or rescue emergencies, and as a volunteer. Next time you see Lieutenant Losh at a community event, stop and thank him for his service and for being an active part of our community.
Aiden Morganfield
Aidan began volunteering as a student at Erie Elementary School. The Erie Library, Optimist Club and Erie Uplink embraced his enthusiasm and willingness to help. While in middle school, he took on a role of leading volunteer work through the National Honor Society.
As a High School Student, his skills as a seasoned volunteer made big impacts in our community. He researches the organizations before he volunteers to ensure they are truthful in their promises as a non-profit, that they have a strong reputation in helping the community, and that there is fairness to all. Many Erie High School volunteers that joined his causes became closer friends and he built a strong bond in the community. At the conclusion of one particular food drive, Aidan and his team of volunteers collected over 1500 pounds of food to benefit the Erie Community.
Aidan will be attending the Colorado School of Mines, where he has been accepted into their Grandey Leadership by Design Honors Program where he will continue to learn skills that will build upon his leadership capabilities.
A special thank you to our corporate sponsors that support our efforts:
Silent Auction Donors
Photos and Attendees:
If you believe...
that civic participation is an essential element in the lives of well-rounded business leaders and engaged community members, please consider becoming a candidate for membership in the Erie Rotary club and connect with like-minded leaders.
Request a contact to join the club or volunteer here
