One Spark Denver’s mission is to inspire people to help others by “paying it forward.” Helping others creates positive change within ourselves, within our communities, and within our world.
Our lives are made up of blessings and challenges. Every now and again, life throws us a curve ball and just a little support helps us to find hope and recover from challenging times. A little bit of help can change the way we see ourselves and the world around us. For those who are struggling, just knowing that someone cares enough to really see and recognize our struggles can set us on a path toward positive change. The world is just one big family of human beings who want to give and receive love. The One Spark Denver charity provides support to those in need and encourages spreading the power of kindness by continuing to “pay it forward.”
If it only takes ONE SPARK to start a fire, each one of us has the power to be a spark and to inspire positive changes in the lives of others.
“Do well by doing good.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
How Did One Spark Denver Get Started?
We all can use a little help from time to time. This is our spark story about the people who continue to inspire us.
Troy Bergman, founder of One Spark Denver, was raised in the small farming community of Rantoul, in central Illinois. It was there that Troy went to school, worked and would experience a devastating car accident. The accident left him unable to walk and unable to work as a builder and ultimately resulted in the amputation of his right leg. Although Troy always felt fortunate to live in a close-knit and friendly community, he never fully realized how kind and generous his community was until they rallied behind him when he needed a little help. Family, friends, and even strangers who had little to give, donated whatever they could to help allow Troy to pay his bills and keep his home while he recovered from his injuries. Troy was forever changed by the generosity of his neighbors, friends and organizations in his community that came together to lift him up.
The truth is, that $12,000 raised to help Troy was priceless. It meant so much more than anyone thought. It gave him hope and inspiration. It meant he wasn’t alone. The only way to repay that kindness would be to pay it forward. Since the accident in 1997, Troy has done well, he got married and built a successful restoration company in Colorado. He’s again active and still loves to play golf. He remains close with many of the people who helped him all those years ago and is dedicated to continuing to do well by doing good.
Following the example of The One Spark Foundation in Kansas, Troy founded One Spark Denver to continue the mission to pay it forward.
The proceeds donated and raised at the annual Denver Bender Golf Tournament will go to the One Spark Denver recipients nominated by local community members. Know someone who can use a spark? Nominate a recipient.
It only takes One Spark to start a fire.
How you can get involved
