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Cocker Kids Foundation 
The Cocker Kids’ Foundation is a nonprofit, community supported organization dedicated to aiding area youth up to the age of 21 in areas of education, recreation, the arts and athletics.
History
Since 1998 The Cocker Kids’ Foundation has funded nearly $500,000 to youth-related programs and children of the North Fork Valley in Delta County, CO. From their permanent residence in Crawford, Joe and Pam Cocker, along with an active and involved board of directors, have made sure that the funds have impacted the kids who need it the most.
Process
How does this happen in a county with one of the lowest per capita worker earnings in Colorado? It all starts in the community. The Foundation’s primary source of funding has been events held by the Cockers: monstrous yard sales, busy home tours and an occasional Colorado Joe Cocker concert all significantly contribute to the Foundation’s capital. The remaining money comes from individual donations.
 
Applications are distributed around the various schools and organizations, and children and their sponsors are encouraged to apply for funds. The CKF board meets monthly to review them and fulfill requests. Priority goes to applications that affect as many financially needy children as possible and projects that promise to improve the quality of life of individual kids.
The concept of neighbor helping neighbor is embraced by CKF. Organizations and kids who receive funds volunteer their own time back to the community. This cycle of giving is a proud hallmark of CKF.
 
Cocker Kids’ Foundation Funding
Community
- Delta County Health & Human Services (quarterly funding for variety
of unique situations not normally covered by their funding)
- Delta County Meth Task Force (program that supports safety and
healthy family living for children and families in recovery )
- Libraries (children’s section)
- North Fork Children’s Christmas Party (for disadvantaged
children)
- Hospice/Child and Teen Center of Western Colorado (Camp Good
Grief!- support for children dealing with death)
- Hilltop Tandem Families Program (second family support group for
stuggling families)
- Library Toy Lending Program
- Blue Sage Center (provides space for kids’ theater, dance classes, etc.)
- Creamery Arts Center (provides art classes for kids)
- North Fork Pool & Park (Handicap accessible walking/bike trail for kids)
- Playgrounds
 Schools
- Delta County School District Backpack Program(early learning)
- CKF “DreamCatcher” Scholarships ($5000 given annually)
- Playgrounds
- Peer Programs
- Computers
- Vouchers (enables youngsters to bring new books home)
- Sport & Band Uniforms
- Preschool Scholarships
- Band Instruments
- Track Program
- Accelerated Reader (self-paced reading comprehension program)
- Field Trips (nature, music, theater)
- Eagles Nest Activity (program for 4th-6th graders in robotics)
Individual
- Destination Imagination (sent winning team to Global Competition
in Knoxville, TN)
- Foreign Exchange Program
- Ambassadors of Music (performing in Europe)
- Future Business Leaders of America
- Class Trips (Greece, Italy, Mexico, Costa Rica)
- People to People Travel (non-profit program that takes kids to
Washington D.C., Europe & Australia/school affiliated)
- Student Ambassador Program (international travel for students)
- Emergency Medical Help
- Leadership Camp
- Outdoor Camps
- Music Camps
- Debate Camp
- Fluency Fast (Foreign language camp)
- Children’s Theater
- Dance Lessons
- Music Lessons
- Awards for Junior Rodeo
- Youth Soccer
- Baseball
- Peewee Football
- Basketbal
 
For more info
Email cathy@cocker.com.
Administrator: Cathy Schelle
Board of Directors: Joe & Pam Cocker; Pam Bliss; Ted Hoff; Kathryn McCarthy; Bob Pennetta; Marianne Schramm; Elaine Vervloet; Connie & John Willett
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