Meet Elizabeth Vanek, Executive Director and Founder of The Neighborhood Angels Foundation (TNAF). The 501(C)(3) was founded in 2019 and received nonprofit status in January 2020, a couple of months before the COVID Pandemic shut the world down.

Inspiration for starting the organization came to Vanek during the 47 years she lived in Gold Hill. She saw people who did not have as many blessings as she did. Something she wished for them to have.

She began dreaming of a way to help people unable to meet basic needs. “It sparked something in me. Life happens, I had a son, and my life got very busy. We were not able to follow through on my dream of starting a non-profit foundation.”

Well, that all changed in 2019 when Vanek’s son, Hawk Vanek, now the Secretary of TNAF, said to his mother, “Mom, why don’t you start the non-profit Foundation you’ve been dreaming about all these years?”

By 2020, the rest was history. After three decades of running a house cleaning business, managing three Airbnbs in Boulder, working at the Gold Hill School for five years, and helping raise five kids, whom she is delighted to say continue to stay in touch, Vanek was ready to embark on another life-changing profession.

The Neighborhood Angels Foundation also comprises a Treasurer, Steven Vanek, and an IT Angel Volunteer, Pavel Goldstein. The organization depends on volunteers to help with its success.

The organization’s mission is to provide short-term assistance for less fortunate neighbors. TNAF assistance includes providing wood for home heating, winter clothing, snow removal, fire mitigation, yard cleanup, home repairs, home safety modifications, grocery pickups, medication pickups, and “other basic life needs associated with mountain living.”

Vanek shares, “We work closely in Gold Hill with The Gold Hill Town Meeting. We are a historically zoned town because of the fact that Gold Hill was the first place gold was discovered in Colorado.

TNAF identifies who is available to lend assistance in an Angels mountain neighborhood. Through a network of Volunteer Angels partnered with TNAF, each neighborhood would connect those in need of help with those volunteering their services.

Vanek’s favorite part is “Taking Care of Our Mountain Neighbors with Life’s Basic Needs.” Currently, TNAF is reaching out to the elderly, families, and individuals living in the Peak to Peak mountain communities of Boulder County.

The neighborhoods include Gold Hill, Ward, Jamestown, Four-Mile, Lefthand Canyon, Sunshine, and the neighborhoods in between. Thus far, TNAF has assisted four families in Gold Hill.

The nonprofit is looking for Donor Angels who can donate money of any amount to help them provide services to those in need. “I hope this spring will be busy raising money and in the coming months and year ahead of us.”

On October 7, 2023, TNAF is hosting a Fall Funesta Fundraiser at the Elks Lodge in Boulder. Entertainment during the fundraising event includes live music, a VIP cocktail hour, and a silent auction, to name a few.

To donate, offer mountain living services, volunteer, or donate silent auction items, contact The Neighborhood Angels Foundation.

The Neighborhood Angels Foundation is located at 998 Dixon Road, Boulder. You can email them at neighborhoodangelsfoundation23@gmail.com or you can give them a call at 303-961-4503.