When Christi and Randy Michaelis moved to Arvada in 2010, they simply wanted to help people. The at-the-time recently retired couple had just moved from Michigan and stopped by the Apex Center for the volunteer fair.
Before long, the Michaelis' next chapter began to take shape.
“We didn’t know a soul, not one single person (when we moved to town),” Christi said. “And so, we went to a volunteer fair to try to figure out how we could plug in at Apex. And I’m like ‘Let’s sign up here, let’s sign up here.’”
“I look back and I’m seeing Christi putting her name down on every volunteer list all the way up and down,” Randy said. “And I was like, ‘I’m going to be painting fingernails.’”
Thirteen years and many thousands of volunteer hours later, Randy and Christi have been named the 2022 Arvada Man and Woman of the Year by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce for their invaluable service to the community.
The Michaelis’ philanthropic resume could likely fill the Press’ pages, but highlights include work with Community Table to serve the Elevado Estates Mobile Home Park, working with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), volunteering with Whiz Kids and helping out at multiple programs at their church; Arvada Vineyard Church.
While the couple usually serves the community together, they also pursue their own special interests as well. Christi is a volunteer with the local Optimists Club, and Randy has given his time to Apex as a tennis pro and to residents of a local apartment complex who faced eviction.
"By recognizing the unsung heroes in our community through the Man and Woman of the Year award, we celebrate the often-overlooked individuals who make a significant difference in the lives of others,” Kami Welch, President & CEO of the Arvada Chamber of Commerce said. “Christi and Randy Michaelis are the epitome of this award.
“It is through their selflessness and dedication that our community thrives and grows, and it is an honor to recognize them for their invaluable contributions,” Welch continued.
The Michaelis didn’t quite believe it at first.
“It’s still really humbling,” Christi said of the award. “We really are quite surprised.
Community Table’s CEO Sandy Martin said that the Michaelis headed up the program with Elevado, which has grown to include a mobile food pantry, free bicycles and lessons, and an annual summer sports and activities camp.
“They’re an incredible couple that just have such a big heart and such a love for this community to help those folks that find themselves in a tough position,” Martin said. “With us, they’re very involved in a mobile food panty at the Elevado Trailer Home community. We order special foods that are culturally appropriate for those families; (the Michaelis) come in with other volunteer members and pack boxes and distribute them.
“They’re very involved with that community in terms of what they do,” Martin said. “Really, truly, wonderful folks.”
Christi said that when the couple started volunteering at Elevado, many of the trailers had been condemned, and the community was in a state of disrepair. In addition, the locals were skeptical of volunteers.
“When we first started going there, the kids would come out, and you’d see the parents and grandparents like peeking through the windows, like who are these people?” Christi said. “And now, we’re like the go-to people.
Christi added that about half of the families that lived at Elevado 13 years ago are still there, pointing to the stability of the community.
“Around 10 years ago I was blessed with the presence of Christi and Randy and their dedication to helping the community,” Veronica Dominguez, a resident of Elevado, said. “The help always came in various forms such as bringing the food bank to distribute food, the summer activities that they would plan out months ahead, or the constant reminder that they were always available to help.”
Randy said that one of his proudest moments working at Elevado has been to watch a young girl named Alejandra rise above her circumstances and become one of the first youngsters from the community to go to college.
“Alejandra was president of her class, we got to see her play volleyball — she applied for a Gates Foundation scholarship,” Randy said. “And she got it. She moved away, but her (family’s) trailer is still there and she comes back every once in a while, to see the kids and see us. She is our model for an activity called dream boards… she didn’t let her circumstances confine her. “
Of the dream boards — an annual activity the couple engages local children in so that they can learn more about their dreams — Randy said that he reminds kids about Alejandra’s story, and added that she’s become something of an aspirational figure for the community.
Dominguez said that it might not be too surprising that the Michaelis are humbled by the award.
“I sit back and think that there is often a need to flaunt the help that one has done for a community to feel better about oneself,” Dominguez said. “Never have I seen this with Christy and Randy. Their selflessness goes beyond anyone I have ever met. They do everything not only out of kindness but out of sincerity. It is in their nature to help and better the world around them.”
When asked how they know a cause is worth supporting, Randy said “Your heart just gets heavy.”
The Michaelis are gearing up for this summer’s sports camp at Elevado, but said that once that’s wrapped up, they’d like to do some traveling — something they’ve had little time to do. Christi added that when they’re back, she hopes to construct a community garden at Elevado in the near future.
The Michaelis will be honored at the Arvada Chamber of Commerce’s 72nd Annual Awards Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 17 at the Arvada Center Event Spaces.
