After carefully reviewing many nominations, the Telluride Foundation is proud to announce Emily Haight and Leila Seraphin as co-recipients of the 2024 Volunteer of the Year Award. This year, the foundation chose to spotlight the robust culture of volunteerism in Norwood, a community from which amazing volunteers are nominated each year. The foundation is honored to recognize these two outstanding individuals for their tireless dedication and significant impact on the Norwood community and the greater West End region.
Emily Haight, who moved to Norwood in 2013, has devoted herself to enhancing the quality of life in Norwood and the greater Wright's Mesa area through her years of service to multiple community organizations. She currently serves as the president of the Uncompahgre Medical Center board, treasurer of the Lone Cone Legacy Trust (LCLT) board, coordinator of the annual LCLT Harvest Celebration Dinner, and is a member of the Lone Cone Library board. Her commitment during major leadership changes, capital campaigns and organizing community events has been invaluable to these organizations.
"Norwood has become my parish," said Haight, a retired pastor. "I joined boards to meet like-minded philanthropic people and contribute to the community. What I've seen through my work is that when it comes to supporting the community, people from all walks of life work together. That's what makes this place special. These are salt-of-the-earth people."
Leila Seraphin, a Norwood resident since 2014, is being recognized for her selfless dedication to local food and food security programs in the West End and beyond. As a founder of the FRESH Foundation, Leila has been instrumental in supporting local farmers and providing community members with local produce, addressing critical food security and economic issues in the region. Her leadership has been crucial in initiatives such as the Norwood Food Pantry and the Norwood Community Garden, and she helps where she can with the senior meals and library free-lunch programs.
"Food brings people together," Seraphin shared. "It's a place where people can connect and feel nourished and safe with one another — and that leads to a lot for people. Food is so important for people’s overall wellbeing, which is a pressing challenge in small, rural communities like ours.”
Both embody the spirit of community service that is vital to the region's well-being. Their work addresses crucial aspects of community life, from health care and education to food security and economic development.
"The Telluride Foundation created its Volunteer of the Year award to honor individuals who unselfishly make extraordinary contributions to the region's quality of life," said Jason Corzine, president and CEO of the Telluride Foundation. "This year, we are doubly excited to have two recipients whose contributions to their community of Norwood and our surrounding region truly stood out above the rest. Emily and Leila make up the heart and soul of their community, and we are honored to recognize them for their outstanding contributions to the vibrancy of Norwood and the West End."
The Telluride Foundation will hold a community celebration for the honorees on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Livery, located at 1555 Summit St. in Norwood. All community members are warmly encouraged to attend and celebrate these exceptional volunteers.
As the 2024 Volunteers of the Year, each will each receive a grant of $2,500 to be given in their names to the local nonprofits of their choices. They join a distinguished list of past recipients, including David Sussman (2023); Claudia Garcia Curzió, Millan Avila and Jacinto Alonzo (2022); mental health advocates Corinne Cavender, Lollie Lavercombe and Cara Wilder (2021); and many other dedicated community members dating back to 2003.
