Volume 2020 -01| January 2020
Rocky Mountain BEST Volunteer Newsletter
We are excited to announce the
11th Year  of Rocky Mountain BEST!
Thanks to ALL our volunteers for making it possible!
We are looking forward to seeing you again in 2020!
Boosting BEST Fundraiser
Please Save the Date
Sunday 5 April
5 PM - 8:30 PM
You are invited to share with us the passion of introducing students to pursuits related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Your participation helps us bring our yearly robotics competition to over 600 middle and high school students - at no cost to schools.    

Boosting BEST will be another fun fundraising evening with the following planned activities:
  • SILENT AUCTION (5:00 - 6:30 PM)
  • 2019 BEST Award Team Exhibit (5:00 - 6:00 PM) - team to be announced
  • Dinner (5:00 - 6:00 PM), dessert (6:00 - 6:30 PM)
  • Program (6:30 - 7:30 PM) with Guest Speaker and 2019 BEST Award Team Marketing Presentation - participants to be announced
  • We will end the evening with Silent Auction Checkout (7:30 - 8:30 PM). 
BAC Appliance Center has again generously offered their beautiful facility for the fundraiser.
Look for event signup details in the February Volunteer Newsletter.
BAC Logo
2019 Competition Results
Our national organization, BEST Robotics Inc., has posted the National BEST Robotics Champions and all the 2019 competition scores in their new Leader Board application at this link.
The application has the results of 30 BEST Robotics hubs competitions and the 3 Regional Championship competitions including robot performance scores and BEST Award component scores by team, Hub and Regional Championship.
Congratulations to all the students for their outstanding performances.
Leaderboard
2020 Game Announced - Incision Decision
Incision Decision Game Teaser
BEST Robotics Inc. announced the 2020 Game - Incision Decision and released the 1 minute game teaser video at the link to the left.

Volunteers will be attending the April Prototype Event in Dallas to learn more about this year's game. Game details will be released to teams at our September Kickoff Event.
Colorado Gives Day - THANK YOU!
Our THANKS to ALL those who donated!
We received a deposit of almost $22,000 from donations on Colorado Gives Day. 
This includes an addition of the BOOST of $843 from the Colorado Gives Day Incentive Fund. 
Many of our donors added to their donation by checking a box that allowed them to pay for the fee. 
THANK YOU ALL for helping us bring BEST Robotics to Colorado Schools!
Additional Ways to Contribute
Colorado Tax
Colorado State Tax ReFUND Donation Option
If you get a state income tax refund in 2020, you will have a new opportunity to donate some or all of it to support our ongoing work with Colorado schools.
The new program described by the ReFUND CO initiative puts you in charge of where your donation goes. It’s as simple as 1,2,3:
  1. Decide how much of your refund to donate.
  2. Enter Rocky Mountain BEST and our registration number 20123026982 in the Donate to a Colorado Nonprofit Fund line on your state income tax return or tax software – or just give this info to your tax preparer when you share your tax documents.
  3. Smile knowing you’ve helped a cause that matters to you!
You can learn more program details at this program FAQ link.
Able to Help Us with a Rotary Club Grant?
We are looking for a local Rotary Club member who would like to recommend Rocky Mountain BEST as a potential grant recipient. The Littleton Rotary Club has been a tremendous supporter for Front Range BEST hub. Please reply to this email if you are a club member or know of a member who would be interested in introducing us to their Rotary Club. We would be happy to do a presentation about Rocky Mountain BEST.
2020 Outreach Plans
Aurora Public Schools Career Trek - 11 February
The 5 th Annual Career Trek, hosted by Aurora Public Schools, is scheduled for 11-12 February for all 8 th grade students. Rocky Mountain BEST will participate on February 11 as an exhibitor.
BEST provides a great way to promote workplace, STEM, team building, and communication skills which tie into the goals of Career Trek. 
Career Trek provides an interactive experience and an opportunity for the students to develop essential and professional skills they will use in a short time from now. Even at the event, students can be rewarded for professional behaviors deemed appropriate by an exhibitor. Asking thoughtful questions, having a firm handshake, introducing themselves, maintaining good eye contact, or dressing professionally may earn a student a “ticket of professionalism.” 
Middle School is a great time to explore future options for students. Of course, we promote STEM as a mighty path to follow while demonstrating our Outreach Robot: Illuminati.
Energy Day - Save the Date 26 September
Other Ways to Participate by Donating
Donations 
You can donate ANYTIME at  Rocky Mountain BEST at ColoradoGives.org. 
Benevity
If  your company has gift matching through Benevity, Rocky Mountain BEST is one of the eligible non-profit organizations. Please check with your company about gift matching!
King Soopers/City Market
Thanks to the 15 households who are using their King Soopers / City Market savings cards to donate to Rocky Mountain BEST.
If you used to refill a King Soopers gift cards for us and now need help setting up your savings card, please email  lois.walton@bestinc.org. Lois would be glad to talk you through the quick process!
Amazon Smile
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Rocky Mountain BEST whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
Amazon Smile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Wondering what to do with your used car or truck? 
Donating your old vehicle to ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEST is convenient, easy, and may qualify you for a tax deduction. And best of all, your donation of a used car or truck will make a big difference in supporting ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEST.
Why not donate your vehicle today? All you need to do is to complete our SIMPLE ONLINE FORM or call 1-866-628-2277 and we'll take care of the rest. We will pick up your vehicle, arrange to have your donation towed, and provide you with a tax-deductible receipt, all at no charge to you. 
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Build a robot in six weeks;
inspire a youth for a lifetime
Don't miss out making it possible!