SOUTH FORK— From its earnest beginnings after the Million Fire in 2002, the Greater South Fork Community Foundation (GSFCF) was established as a non-profit to accept tax-deductible donations from those wanting to contribute toward the recovery of their beloved South Fork.
And like the mythological phoenix rising from the ashes, the GSFCF has, over the past 14 years, continued to regenerate and serve as a symbol of strength and renewal in the community through social gatherings, fundraisers and the spearheading of a host of worthy projects.  
Ice cream socials held at the South Fork Community Building helped bring together community members and visitors to learn more about the foundation and its mission.
Fundraisers were successful and loads of fun as participants danced their boots off “Under the Western Stars,” bid up plenty at silent auctions, played in golf tournaments and wagered their bets, and then some, at a memorable casino night event.
And of the numerous projects the Foundation has led, some have left an indelible mark on the community; for example, the GSFCF was instrumental in transforming a parcel of donated land into the South Fork Carnegie library; it generously gave to the South Fork Fire department toward a much needed retro-fitting of a fire truck, and it taught school kids about the value of money through sponsorship of the “Tiger Bucks” and Junior Achievement program initiatives in area schools.
And soon, South Fork can look forward to the unveiling of six big, beautiful American flags that will grace the South Fork Visitor’s Center; each purchased with the remaining funds raised via the “Kitchens in July” home tours, yet another of the many fundraising projects sponsored over the years by the foundation.
In the same spirit of that long-lived bird that transforms itself cyclically and obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor, the time for the foundation’s annual fundraising work has come to an end; but like the powerful phoenix, the good work to which it is committed, will continue.
Today, the funds of the Greater South Fork Community Foundation have been placed in an endowment fund with fiscal sponsor, Pikes Peak Community Foundation. The endowment has been judiciously invested for maximum return and a percentage of those earnings will now be distributed on an annual basis to a worthy cause in South Fork.
The GSFCF is eager to embark on this new path and would like to invite all to the foundation’s 2018 annual meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Rio Grande Club.
Learn how to help the foundation continue its outstanding work in the community, hear more about the new direction it is taking and be one of the first to discover who will be the recipient of this year’s 2018 annual gift.