Colorado Academy

BJ Parks stood in the gym as hundreds of people selected clothing, holiday gifts, diapers, and more, and marveled at his legacy. Parks, from CA’s class of 1996, started H.O.P.E. 16 years earlier with two other students, and he returned to see just how much the event has grown.

Parks, along with Grant Turner ’96 and Brad Connor ’96, launched the effort in the mid-90’s as a way to complete their required community service hours. At the encouragement of Grant’s father, Bob Turner, the young men went to the Denver business community for underwriting and donations. The event was held in a downtown homeless shelter, and they served approximately 200 people. Parks went on to attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges in New York, and then returned to Colorado. He now works developing and selling insurance products for commercial real estate.

What Parks started more than a dozen years ago is today the largest, student-run community service effort on CA’s campus. It takes more than two dozen students, several months of planning, and many faculty and parent volunteers and school staff to make it a success. This year’s event not only eclipsed the original event, but served an unusually high number of people in need, nearly 1,600 men, women and children. “Unemployment is high, and people are hurting,” said faculty sponsor and Upper School teacher George Neserke. “CA students rose above and beyond to meet this high demand.” Many were brought by bus, for which CA arranged; others come by car, but all sign up to attend through a variety of Denver area social service agencies. At no cost, they receive clothing, new, wrapped holiday gifts for their children, a holiday meal, a family photo with Santa, flu shots, and plenty of entertainment for the children. Parks is impressed. “I hope these students go home feeling good about themselves today,” he says, “What they don’t realize is that they are helping a parent put a smile on a child’s face for the holidays.” Parks says now that he has a child of his own, he understands the full measure of that deed.

Parks met and spoke with many of the students involved, and he wanted to leave them with one message, “Don’t stop giving.” Parks says that once students leave CA, it is easy to stop making service and giving a part of your life. “Don’t ever stop.” Parks hasn’t. He volunteers his time with National Jewish Hospital and other organizations, including the CA Alumni Board.