For Immediate Release: December 16, 2014

TallGrass Team Member Deb Dickinson Receives 7Everyday Hero Award

At a time of year when we look for ways to share the spirit and help make a difference in our world, we can take a cue from area resident Deb Dickinson. Deb is the organizer of a couple of philanthropy programs sponsored by her employer TallGrass Aveda Spa and Salon in Evergreen. And, one of those programs - the Soldier Box Project - has earned her KMGH TV's 7Everyday Hero Award.

Throughout the year, Deb gathers personal care items and then at Mother's/Father's Days and Christmastime coordinates the shipment of care packages to men and women serving in Afghanistan. With generous contributions from TallGrass' owner, its customers and staff along with individuals and organizations in the surrounding mountain communities, Deb collects donations of toiletries, playing cards, paperback books, games, baseball caps and all sorts of fun non-food items that let soldiers in Afghanistan know that folks back home are thinking of them. Letters, thank you notes, photos and even phone calls from soldiers in Afghanistan let Deb and her volunteers know the care packages are well-received and very much appreciated.

At a get-together at Deb's home on a recent Monday afternoon, TallGrass staff and volunteers assembled for a stuffing party. Half of them packed holiday care packages with travel size shampoo, lotion, toothpaste and all the little things that are in short supply in Afghanistan, adding handwritten notes, miniature American flags and blank Christmas cards that soldiers can use to send to their loved ones. The other half stuffed 200 Christmas stockings for Mountain Resource Center children's holiday party later this month, which is another TallGrass philanthropy project spearheaded by Deb.

A visit from KMGH TV's weekend news anchor Mitch Jelniker and camera crew surprised Deb with the 7Everyday Hero Award, which is given to Coloradoans who make a difference in their communities. They presented the award and filmed Deb's story for airing on 7News broadcasts and its 7Everyday Hero web page.

For more information about the Soldier Box Project, please contact TallGrass Aveda Spa and Salon at 303-670-4444.