Our Journey
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Since 2006
Canyon Cares was founded in 2006 by a small group of Coal Creek Canyon residents who wanted a simple way to help neighbors in financial need. In that first year, the organization raised and distributed nearly $6,000 — including a $160 childcare payment and a $495 month of rent. Those early values of prompt, respectful, neighbor-to-neighbor assistance remain at the core of everything we do today.
For several years, Canyon Cares quietly grew its community presence and refined its processes, distributing roughly $6,000 annually. That changed dramatically in September 2013, when the Coal Creek Canyon flood struck. Donations poured in, and Canyon Cares received $10,000 in just the final four months of the year — along with its first outside grants. The organization helped flood-affected families with clothing, dumpsters, driveway repairs, tires, gas cards, and utility bills, demonstrating that a hyper-local organization could respond quickly and meaningfully in a crisis.
The experience responding to the flood helped Canyon Cares grow and adapt. In 2014, the organization expanded its service area beyond Coal Creek Canyon to include Nederland and unincorporated Gilpin County, allowing Canyon Cares to assist more mountain residents facing unexpected financial challenges. The community took notice, and donations continued to grow in the years that followed.
When COVID-19 hit in 2020, Canyon Cares again drew on lessons learned from the flood to respond quickly. Casino workers, ski resort employees, and small business owners suddenly facing zero income turned to Canyon Cares for help. That year alone, the organization distributed nearly $70,000 in assistance to more than 100 households. This response was supported in part by new one-time grants from the State of Colorado, Boulder County, and Eldora’s charitable trust, along with generous donations from individuals, local businesses, and community groups.
As the organization continued to grow and strengthen its capacity, Canyon Cares expanded its service area again in 2022 to include the cities of Central City and Black Hawk, as well as part of the Ward area. This expansion allowed the organization to serve a broader portion of the tri-county mountain community, ensuring that more residents could access timely assistance when facing financial hardship.
In 2025 alone, Canyon Cares distributed
$169,830 in assistance to community members in need. Since 2006, the organization has provided
$968,402 in direct financial assistance to the community.
With an all-volunteer board, minimal overhead, and a commitment to responding to requests within days, Canyon Cares remains a grassroots organization driven by neighbors helping neighbors. Because the organization is entirely volunteer-run,
traditionally about 95% of all funds raised go directly toward assisting community members,
ensuring donations have a direct and meaningful impact.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Karen Siefert, Board President
Karen Siefert joined Canyon Cares in 2014 at the request of the Nederland Food Pantry Board of Directors after Canyon Cares expanded its service area to include Nederland. She currently serves as Board President, providing strategic leadership, supporting organizational governance, and helping guide the nonprofit’s mission to deliver emergency assistance to the Peak to Peak community.
A member of the Nederland Food Pantry Board since 2012, Karen has long been committed to addressing food insecurity and ensuring neighbors have access to essential resources. Her background in architecture, along with her experience in board service, brings thoughtful planning, organizational oversight, and collaborative leadership to Canyon Cares.
Karen is an active member of the Nederland Lions Club and volunteers with its KidSight Program, which provides free vision screening for young children in the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain school districts. She has also volunteered for the 9Health Fair in Nederland.
A Nederland resident since 1983, Karen is dedicated to strengthening her community and expanding access to critical support services for those in need.
Chuck Berginc, Treasurer
Chuck Berginc joined the Canyon Cares Board of Directors in September 2020 and serves as Treasurer, overseeing financial stewardship, budgeting, and fiscal accountability for the organization. He brings extensive nonprofit leadership and financial experience to the board.
Chuck moved to Coal Creek Canyon in 2020 after a distinguished 38-year career as Principal Trumpet for The Phoenix Symphony in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to his accomplished music career, he has served on several nonprofit boards and acted as a chief negotiator and advocate for the Musicians of the Phoenix Symphony. He also has experience as a financial advisor and is comfortable managing large, complex budgets—skills that directly support his role at Canyon Cares.
Chuck and his wife Cindy, a former First Violinist with The Phoenix Symphony, retired to Colorado to enjoy mountain life. They have two daughters, one living in Boulder and the other working as a data scientist.
Active in the community, Chuck is passionate about serving Coal Creek Canyon and believes Canyon Cares provides a meaningful way to support neighbors while building connections within the community.
Cindy Goodrich, Secretary
Cindy Goodrich joined the Canyon Cares Board of Directors in 2017 and serves as Secretary, supporting board governance, maintaining official records, and helping ensure clear communication and continuity in the organization’s work.
Cindy and her husband moved to Coal Creek Canyon from Dallas in 2014 and quickly embraced the close-knit mountain community. Having grown up in the small town of Half Moon Bay, California, she especially appreciates the supportive, neighbor-centered spirit that defines Canyon life.
She holds a B.A. in Behavioral Psychology from the University of the Pacific, a background that informs her thoughtful, people-focused approach to service. Her organizational skills and steady leadership contribute to the effectiveness and stability of the board.
Cindy is committed to strengthening the Canyon community and ensuring that residents have access to vital resources during times of need. She looks forward to many more years of service through Canyon Cares, supporting neighbors and helping the organization continue its meaningful work.
Susan “Simone” Jonsson, Board Member
Susan “Simone” Jonsson joined the Canyon Cares Board of Directors in 2025. As a board member, she supports community outreach and service initiatives, bringing decades of hands-on experience caring for others and deep roots in Coal Creek Canyon.
Simone has lived in the Canyon with her husband, Kris Jonsson, since 1986. They raised their two children, Seneca and Ulli, here, and have been active members of Whispering Pines Church since 1988. Professionally, Simone has worked for 33 years as an outpatient orthopedic physical therapist at Boulder Community Hospital, where she has dedicated her career to helping individuals regain strength, mobility, and confidence.
Since moving from Northern Virginia, Simone has immersed herself in the Canyon community. She has volunteered in after-school programs, coached local Little League baseball, directed Vacation Bible School, and most recently served with the Pastor’s Pantry at Whispering Pines Church. Joining Canyon Cares felt like a natural extension of her lifelong commitment to service.
In her free time, Simone enjoys mountain biking and embracing Colorado’s outdoors—on snow, down rivers, and up mountains whenever she can. She is passionate about supporting neighbors and strengthening the Canyon community.
Nancy von Schulz, Board Member
Nancy von Schulz joined the Canyon Cares Board of Directors in 2014. As a long-time Coal Creek Canyon resident, she brings deep community insight and a strong commitment to supporting neighbors in need.
Nancy moved to the Canyon in 1985 with her husband, Bill, and they raised their two now-adult sons here. Through years of commuting outside the Canyon for work, she developed a strong understanding of both the rewards and unique challenges of mountain living.
Nancy retired from the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation after more than 25 years serving adults with disabilities as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. She holds an M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Utah State University and a B.A. in Social Work from Michigan State University. Her professional background provides Canyon Cares with expertise in advocacy, resource navigation, and compassionate client support.
Following retirement, Nancy volunteered as a client counselor at Alternative Pregnancy Center and has assisted teachers at Coal Creek K-8. She also serves in a leadership role with Bible Study Fellowship and is a deacon at Chapel in the Hills, coordinating benevolence efforts.
Nancy is passionate about strengthening community awareness, encouraging service, and helping Canyon neighbors support one another.
Lindy Lewis, Board Member
Lindy Lewis joined the Canyon Cares Board of Directors in 2022. As a board member, she contributes strategic communications expertise and a strong commitment to raising awareness about mental and behavioral health challenges within the community.
A veteran public relations professional, Lindy brings extensive experience in messaging, advocacy, and community engagement. She is widely recognized for her work educating others on “Understanding the Realities of Mental Health Challenges” and has spoken throughout Colorado on the topic. Lindy was honored as one of the nation’s Top 100 Certified Mental Health First Aid instructors by the National Council for Behavioral Health. Her professional background strengthens Canyon Cares’ outreach efforts and supports its mission to serve individuals with dignity and compassion.
Lindy and her husband, Steve, have lived in Coal Creek Canyon since 2010 and value the connection and resilience that define the mountain community. Outside of her board service, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and exploring the arts.
Lindy is passionate about reducing stigma, increasing access to resources, and ensuring that individuals facing emotional or behavioral health challenges are supported in living productive, independent lives.
Mick Coady, Board Member
Mick Coady joined the Canyon Cares Board of Directors in 2024. As a board member, he contributes analytical expertise and strategic insight developed over a nearly 40-year career in scientific high-performance computing.
Mick retired in January 2022 after working primarily in the oil and gas industry before concluding his career at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from Western Illinois University and an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois. His professional background strengthens Canyon Cares through data-driven thinking, problem-solving, and systems-level planning.
Mick and his wife, Debra, moved to Coal Creek Canyon from Texas in 2001. Originally from Springfield, Illinois, they have three children and seven grandchildren living in Texas and Colorado. Deeply invested in the Canyon community, Mick is a long-standing member of the Coal Creek Canyon Catholic Community and has served on the board of Saws and Slaws since 2005.
In his free time, he enjoys hiking, fishing, home improvement projects, wildfire mitigation, and spending time with family. Mick is committed to supporting neighbors and strengthening the Canyon community through service.
Liana Roscoe, Board Member
Liana Roscoe serves as a dedicated member of the Canyon Cares Board of Directors, bringing professional expertise and a strong commitment to community service. In her role, she supports strategic initiatives and outreach efforts that advance the organization’s mission of assisting neighbors facing urgent needs.
Liana is a former high school teacher and entrepreneur with a degree in Human Resource Management. Her professional background provides valuable strengths in leadership development, organizational management, communication, and people-centered problem-solving. These skills help guide Canyon Cares in responding thoughtfully and effectively to the evolving needs of the community.
Throughout her career, Liana has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving others. Her experience in education and business has equipped her with the insight, adaptability, and compassion necessary to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
Liana’s passion for helping others aligns seamlessly with the mission of Canyon Cares. She is dedicated to fostering a supportive, connected, and resilient community where neighbors feel seen, valued, and supported during challenging times.
Bruce Tansy, Board Member
Bruce Tansy joined the Canyon Cares Board of Directors in 2025. As a board member, he supports strategic planning and organizational oversight while contributing decades of leadership and technology expertise to advance the organization’s mission.
Bruce retired at the end of 2024 after nearly 50 years in Information Technology, where he built a career grounded in innovation, problem-solving, and team development. He holds a B.S. in Computer Science and Business from Purdue University. Throughout his career, Bruce developed strong skills in strategic thinking, systems management, and mentoring—experience that serves Canyon Cares well.
Bruce and his wife, Susie, moved to Coal Creek Canyon from Indiana in 2012 and quickly embraced the mountain community. Passionate about coaching and mentoring, Bruce continues to dedicate time each week to developing others. He also serves on additional nonprofit boards, reflecting his ongoing commitment to community service.
In his free time, Bruce enjoys hiking, kayaking, off-roading, reading, and traveling. He and Susie are devoted animal lovers who spend time with their golden retrievers and actively support local dog rescue efforts.
Bruce is committed to strengthening the Canyon community and helping neighbors access vital support services.









