Welcome to theCity of AuroraColorado

Phillip Edward Van Dunk Jr. was born in New York and moved to Colorado when he was a child. Growing up Phillip was known as PJ by his family.

Phillip began working for Aurora Water in 1997. His career was almost entirely in the Wastewater section where he worked his way up to the level of Utility Maintenance Supervisor. Over these twenty-five years Philip had many interactions with Aurora citizens and staff alike. He would often be the first one to raise a hand when volunteers were needed for special projects or emergencies and was always willing to assist Aurora residents with their sewer problems. Phillip enjoyed spending time with his wife and two daughters bicycling, riding ATV’s and camping around Colorado in their new travel trailer. Phillip was also an avid cook and griller.

Contributions will go towards the placement of a memorial bench at Highline Park. Please include the name “Phillip Van Dunk Memorial Bench” when donating to Spirit of Aurora, either in the PayPal special instructions section or in the memo line if sending a check.

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, with the invasion of South Korea by Chinese and Russian troops allied with the North Korean Army. The initial invasion pushed Republic of Korea forces and their US allies to the Southern end of the Peninsula, where the US troops had to decide as to whether they would leave the country or fight the North Korean Allies.

Following that invasion, 21 United Nations allied Countries, led by the United States supported the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and 16 of those countries provided fighting units and engaged in combat activities. Of the United Nations forces, a total of 628,833 died in combat and 1,064,453 were wounded during the war.

A total of 2.5 Million civilians died as well. The Korean War concluded with an Armistice on July 23, 1953 and was the last true ground war that United Forces fought.

The Memorial in Governors Park is meant to provide a place of quiet contemplation and remembrance for families and friend of those that served in that action; for those who were lost; and for those that remain Missing in Action.

The City of Aurora has multiple ways to outreach directly to our neighbors living on the streets or in their vehicles. This includes Street Outreach, the Aurora Cold Weather Outreach Team, and the Aurora Mobile Response Team. These funds will go toward things such as: socks, hygiene kits, nonperishable food, and coats. We also have an Amazon Wishlist listed here in which you can purchase items that will help stock the outreach teams.

Street Outreach is contracted with nonprofits in Aurora who specialize in working with people experiencing homelessness. The go out 7 days a week to camps to provide resources and make referrals.

The Aurora Cold Weather Outreach Team (ACOT) is a collaborative of social workers, mental health clinicians, APD officers, and AFD paramedics. When weather is life-threateningly cold, this team is activated. They outreach to camps and offer transportation to shelter, wound care, and resources such as coats, hand warmers, and food.

The Aurora Mobile Response Team (AMRT) pairs a mental health clinician from Aurora Mental Health with a paramedic from Falck Rocky Mountain to provide trauma-informed crisis intervention and de-escalation services on the scene to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis related to mental health, depression, homelessness, poverty, and/or substance use issues.

Mobile Food Market with SECORCares

Grocery shopping may not always be the most enjoyable chore we do, but to those living in a food insecure home, a trip to the grocery store is the greatest of gifts. SECORCares, in partnership with the Aurora Police Department’s (APD) Community Relations Section, hosts a wide-range of mobile food events throughout Aurora to benefit seniors, community members experiencing homelessness, school children, victims of crime, and immigrants and refugees.

Through SECOR’s free mobile food market, guests are able to shop and put food on their tables, without concern for payment. Community members are provide with fresh produce, meats, dairy, fresh breads, canned and dry goods, and even desserts. On average, community members are provided with enough food to last 10-14 days. Learn more about SECORCares’ work in the community: www.SecorCares.com

100% of all donations received by Spirit of Aurora to benefit SECOR’s Mobile Food Market are used to purchase food.

Aurora Water Cares (AWC)

AWC provides bill payment assistance to families and individuals struggling financially due to a personal crisis or emergency. This income-qualified program is open to Aurora Water customers and provides up to $125 per award.

Aurora Animal Shelter

Help our furry friends find safe, loving forever homes. Your donations support veterinary needs, medical treatment, food and shelter for homeless animals; investigation and prosecution of cruelty violations; and prevention/educational programs. All contributions directly benefit the animals.

Aurora Asian Pacific Partnership

The Partnership works together with the community to contribute to a high quality of life for Asian Pacific Americans. Donations go to business assistance, cultural awareness programs and educational services to improve communication while promoting diverse cultural interests.

Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA)

The ACAA serves active 50+ adults with programs and services. Your generous donation helps fund classes in fitness, health, dance, computers, arts, crafts and other hobbies, as well as day trips, hikes, social activities and events. These programs engage the mind, enhance creativity and encourage an active lifestyle.

Aurora Fox Arts Center

The historic Aurora Fox Arts Center is the home of a professional Equity Theatre Company that hosts the area’s top performing artists and outstanding theatrical shows. Donations support programming and capital improvements. Corporate sponsorships are available at all levels.

Library Summer Reading Program

Give the gifts of reading and learning to a child through the summer reading program. This popular program reaches an average of 6,000 children each summer, and is funded solely through gifts and donations, which are used to purchase supplies, books and prizes for participants.

Aurora Scholars Program

The program publicly recognizes students in Aurora schools who strongly contribute to their school and community. They might be a stellar student athlete, a terrific citizen, a high academic achiever or a dedicated volunteer. But most importantly, they go above and beyond in whatever they do best. Your donation continues to award these efforts and invests in the future of Aurora.

Aurora Teen Court

Aurora Teen Court is an educational diversion program. First-time juvenile offenders admit guilt and then their peers, who act as prosecutor, defense attorney and jurors, determine the appropriate sanctions for the offender. Successful completion of the sentence by the defendant provides for a clear court record. Giving to Teen Court educates youth on the judicial process and taking responsibility for their actions.

Community of Many Providing After School Success (COMPASS)

COMPASS provides after-school academic and enrichment programs to young people attending Aurora Public Schools. It is a partnership between Aurora Public Schools, the city of Aurora and several community organizations. Individuals, businesses and community organization partners can contribute funding toward these programs, and help children to succeed and grow into productive citizens and successful adults.

Home Ownership Assistance Program (HOAP)

HOAP works to make safe and affordable housing a reality for low- to moderate-income families through pre-purchase, foreclosure prevention, rental and reverse mortgage counseling. This HUD-approved counseling agency provides financial assistance to first-time homebuyers. A donation to HOAP is an investment in the American dream -- homeownership.

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration

Celebrating its 34th year in 2020, this yearly commemoration brings together community members from all walks of life to celebrate and remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The theme for the 2020 MLK commemoration is “The Words Ring On”. Planning is currently underway and additional information will be available soon.

Neighborhood Watch

The Aurora Police Department works to unite individual citizens and private organizations along with the police to reduce crime and improve the community. Funding helps establish Neighborhood Watch groups that become active in community efforts. The funds are used to purchase and post signs in neighborhoods, purchase and distribute publications, and support National Night Out events each August.

Police K9 Unit

The Aurora K9 Unit uses Spirit of Aurora Funds to supplement the financial support of the Police Department. The donated monies are used to purchase specialized equipment to outfit the K9 team so they can effectively and safely assist in resolving dangerous situations. The funds can also be used in purchasing safety and comfort items for the dogs, maintaining safe kenneling areas, ensuring the vehicles used to transport them are safe and reliable, and supporting the high level of training necessary to provide exceptional service to the community.

Recreational Financial Assistance

This program is designed to help give residents of Aurora with limited financial resources the opportunity to participate fully in the city’s many recreational facilities and programs essential to healthy living and quality lifestyles.

Shots for Tots

Aurora Fire Station No. 2 provides low-cost, or no-cost, immunizations to children in Aurora on the second Saturday of every month. Aurora works with Tri-County Health Department, Children’s Immunization Council and Rotary organizations to provide this service.

Water for Life Program

This program promotes water safety and increases basic knowledge of swimming skills for youth via scholarships.

Youth Development Programs

Programs help build positive life-enhancing skills, attitudes and behaviors in our youth. These qualities are developmental assets, and we build these assets in youth through COMPASS, Aurora Youth Commission, America’s Promise and Summer Youth Activities. Donations go to fund these many life-changing programs.