Downtown Club to honor Craft with new award

FORT COLLINS — Jeannie Craft will receive the first Community Impact Award from the Downtown Club of Fort Collins.

The club implemented the new award program this year to recognize an individual who has committed much of her time and talent to volunteering for a local nonprofit. The Community Impact Award is a reflection of the club’s mission to improve the quality of life for the youth at risk and in need in the community. 

The award will be presented at a luncheon on Friday, Sept. 27 at 11:30 a.m. at the Fort Collins Country Club, 1920 Country Club Road. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased by calling Ray Martinez at 970-690-3686.

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Craft is a retired Poudre School District teacher. She spent one year at Bauder Elementary and 27 years at Irish Elementary. She currently devotes her time to Project Smile as the operations coordinator. Started at Irish Elementary 13 years ago, Project Smile provides PSD students living in poverty or without private insurance free dental and vision care. Craft is also involved with and passionate about Coats and Boots, a local nonprofit that outfits kids in PSD with new coats and boots. These two programs have provided care for more than 1,000 children throughout PSD. Additionally, she is a founding member of Book Trust, a nonprofit that gives students living in poverty the opportunity to purchase books of their own to encourage reading development. Collectively, Craft has given more than 10,000 hours of service over the last 13 years.

In addition to the award and being honored at the luncheon, a $1,000 donation will be made to a charity of Craft’s choice. 

“There are so many special individuals who have inspired us and made a significant contribution to our community, and this award will give us the opportunity to properly recognize them,” Ron Lautzenheiser, chairman of the awards committee, said in a written statement.  “Jeannie is someone who has dedicated her life to empowering those less fortunate with non-profit solutions that have made a difference in their lives.”