Meet the 5K for $5K Team
Board of Directors
Michele Ater is an activist, mother, counselor, philanthropist and business woman residing in Golden, CO with her two children and loving Chihuahua. Michele created the William Burchett Foundation Scholarship after the tragic loss of her best friend to perpetuate his spirit of music and love through programs that benefit at-risk youth. Together with Chris Van Noy and Steven Cram, the 5k for $5k Fun Run was created to host an annual gathering of support for the community, kids and music.
Michele Ater is an activist, mother, counselor, philanthropist and business woman residing in Golden, CO with her two children and loving Chihuahua. Michele created the William Burchett Foundation Scholarship after the tragic loss of her best friend to perpetuate his spirit of music and love through programs that benefit at-risk youth. Together with Chris Van Noy and Steven Cram, the 5k for $5k Fun Run was created to host an annual gathering of support for the community, kids and music.
Chris Van Noy is a special education teacher and father who resides in Golden, CO with his spouse, son, two step-daughters and 1 crazy Boston Terrier. He is also a co-founder of the Music Appreciation Project (MAP), a 501c (3) nonprofit organization that supports at-risk youth by funding musical instrument purchases/repairs, music lessons and music therapy. MAP’s mission is two-fold: 1) to provide young people with the opportunity to express themselves in a positive and creative way through music, and 2) to provide young people the opportunity to give back to their community by donating their time and what they’ve learned by performing at church fundraisers, assisted living facilities and other community-building events. Now, with our annual 5K for $5K established, we have a great opportunity to raise the funds we need to continue to support our youth and community.
Steven Cram is a social studies teacher and local musician currently living in Denver, CO. He is one of the co-founders of the Music Appreciation Project (MAP), a 501c (3) nonprofit organization that supports at-risk youth by funding musical instrument purchases/repairs, music lessons and music therapy. MAP is all about bringing music to young people with the passion, but not the means, to follow their musical dreams, all while creating opportunity, building community and conserving music.
Support Team
Spaceman Guitars is a family owned and operated business providing instrument repairs and sales while making you feel at home. Chris and Kristy Thomas have worked with the MAP project for the last two years and dovetail their passion for bringing music into the lives of at risk youth. We believe that without the efforts of the MAP project, the William Burchett Foundation Scholarship fund and the many other supporters, hundreds of children would be unable to enjoy the many benefits of music!
Spaceman Guitars is a family owned and operated business providing instrument repairs and sales while making you feel at home. Chris and Kristy Thomas have worked with the MAP project for the last two years and dovetail their passion for bringing music into the lives of at risk youth. We believe that without the efforts of the MAP project, the William Burchett Foundation Scholarship fund and the many other supporters, hundreds of children would be unable to enjoy the many benefits of music!
Chris Stongle is a Denver Native who is the founder and owner of his graphic design business, Chris Stongle Design. He has worked in the marketing, design and advertising biz for over 40 years, specializing in illustration, corporate identity, logo design, ad campaigns etc. where he works together with clients developing who their company is, who they are for their company, who their company is for the world, strategically targeting their unique audience. Chris is also a 1 st call drummer in the Denver area who loves what he does…and it shows as his infectious smile beams from behind his kit. Having played with a number of Colorado’s top acts, he’s had the opportunity to not only travel the world but play his favorite ‘bucket list’ venues ie; Red Rocks, Folsom Field, Mile High Stadium, plus record in some of the top recording studios in the country. Playing music brought Chris to this wonderful project. Having close relationships with the rest of the 5K4$5K team, gave Chris the privilege to contribute his graphic/visual talents to the this extremely important cause. Music heals and can bring a world community together...music speaks louder than words could ever express.
Charlotte MacWithey is a local writer, web master, internet entrepreneur, environmentalist, and music supporter. She currently lives in Longmont, Colorado and is raising an artistic and musical daughter. Charlotte has always viewed music as pertinent and essential to life and believes in the power of music to uplift, enrich, and unify people. It is for this reason that Charlotte is passionate about the 5K4$5K cause as it has always been her viewpoint that music education should be openly available to anyone with the desire to learn.
We also want to take a moment to recognize Lori Martin and Corie French, who are active members of the 5K4$5K support team for their contributions and participation to this project. You both are essential assets to the team!