Press Releases

Executive Director Mardell Burkholder announces resignation 4/30/12

Mardell Burkholder recently announced her resignation as Executive Director of the Children’s Health Foundation. She has served in that position for over six years. “Mardell’s contributions to the organization are countless,” said Elaine Gantz Berman, chair of the board, “we thank her for tireless work and deep commitment to children’s health.”

Mardell joined CHF in 2005 and oversaw the growth and development of a new non-profit as it became an established, highly-regarded and innovative organization. With her leadership, CHF developed programs impacting a variety of aspects of children’s health, from yoga in schools, anti-bullying programs and most successfully school lunch reform. Today, Children’s Health Foundation is recognized state-wide as a critical leader in school lunch reform.

CHF founder, Betsy Fifield, said, “Mardell has been a key component of CHF’s growth and success. I thank Mardell for her energy, enthusiasm and hard work. We wish her the very best moving forward.” CHF is partly funded by a generous grant from The Colorado Health Foundation. Other funding is raised through individual gifts and philanthropic donations.

Mardell will leave her position on April 30^th. The board of the organization will engage in a state wide search in the coming weeks.

See Job Description Here

Children's Health Foundation kick starts Lunch Money and Junior Chef programs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Children's Health Foundation Receives Grant To Kick Start New "Lunch Money" and "Junior Chef" Programs
 
Aspen, Colo. (September 29, 2011) — Children's Health Foundation, an Aspen-based non-profit dedicated to improving nutrition in schools, announces the receipt of a $525,079 grant from the Colorado Health Foundation, which will directly support two new projects: the Lunch Money program and curriculum development of a Junior Chef Program. The grant is Children's Health Foundation's largest award to-date, further emphasizing the importance of the organization's work throughout Colorado.
 
"The Colorado Health Foundation is the strong partner we need in order to continue making positive change in schools, " says Children's Health Foundation Executive Director Mardell Burkholder. "Their support enables us to carry out our vision and address changes in food culture with programs designed to engage the individual student, cooking personnel and administration on a much higher level."
 
Funds from the generous 19-month award will assist in establishing Lunch Money, a program which navigates the financial implications for school administrators interested in replacing processed convenience foods offered in their school meal programs with healthier cooked-from-scratch meals. Lunch Money is geared toward school district CFO's, superintendents, and school food service personnel who are interested in changing school lunch, but are concerned with the financial feasibility of the program.
 
A portion of the grant will also aid in the development of curriculum for one of Children's Health Foundation's most popular programs, the Junior Chef Program. Establishing a new curriculum ensures the program's expansion to more schools across the state. The Junior Chef Program engages students as young as six years old to participate in a cooking event, contributing to the preparation of a healthy meals.
 
Prior grant awards from the Colorado Health Foundation have supported healthy nutrition in schools and the Lunch for Life Program, which continues to expand in the state of Colorado.
 
About the Colorado Health Foundation
The Colorado Health Foundation works to make Colorado the healthiest state in the nation by increasing the number of Coloradans with health insurance, ensuring they have access to quality, coordinated care and encouraging healthy living. The Foundation invests in the community through grants and initiatives to health-related nonprofits that focus on these goals, as well as operating medical education programs to increase the health care workforce. For more information, please visit www.ColoradoHealth.org.

About Children's Health Foundation
Founded in 2004 by Betsy Fifield, Children's Health Foundation is a leader, innovator and champion of health initiatives that benefit the mind, body and spirit of children. Based in Aspen, Colorado, Children's Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and its programs have improved the health of over 75,000 children by partnering with local, regional and national schools, foundations, government organizations, and legislators. More can be found at ChildrensHealthFoundation.net.
 
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
 
Mardell Burkholder, Executive Director                Jennifer Slaughter, Marketing + Public Relations
Children's Health Foundation                                     Different Indeed
mardell@childrenshealthfoundation.net              jennifer@differentindeed.com
970.920.4750                                                                      612.229.7759