Thanks to the Mountain Riders Motorcycle group for a $1300 donation from their annual “Turtle” Poker Run fundraiser for YouthZone. The event began 20 years ago to honor Stella “Turtle” Tucker who was killed at an early age by a drunk driver.

“During the Turtle Run I experienced a variety of different perspectives from people, it changed the way I think about everything I do. In New Castle my jobs were serving food and separating tickets. It felt good to be around a large group of people who came to the turtle run to remember a nice girl who died in a car crash. When I got in trouble it didn’t just affect me Going on roofs but it affected my family too, it affected the way my friends think of me, it affected the way my friends parents think of me, it affected the way my school administration thinks of me, and the way the police of aspen think of me. I want to be thought of a good kid and now I have to show all of these people that by setting a good example. I will focus on staying away from bad situations and influences. Next time I will think of the outcomes about what I’m doing. I’m happy that I have Youthzone to teach me about what I have done in the past and thinking about what to do in the future. Next time I will also listen to adults and people like my parents who can guide me out of bad situations instead of thinking I will never get caught. I really like to climb but in MOAB I learned that climbing on natural structures is more fun then climbing on private property. I want to apologize to all the people who I have taken their time out of busy schedules like the aspen police and my parents and you Tina at Youthzone.Thank you for trying to help me and reading this letter.” – 15 year old YouthZone client