Heart & Soul - Sept & Oct 2025
Heart & Soul Newsletter — September & October 2025
A Season of Community, Celebration, and Connection at PDI
As the leaves begin to change in Pueblo, our PDI community has come together to celebrate growth, connection, and unforgettable moments. The September & October 2025 edition of Heart & Soul highlights milestone events, inspiring accomplishments, and the continued dedication that fuels our mission.
A Look Back: Dancing with the Pueblo Starz Shines Bright
This September, Pueblo Diversified Industries hosted its largest fundraiser of the year — the vibrant, 1970s-themed Dancing with the Pueblo Starz celebration .
With more than 700 attendees, 11 incredible dance teams, and extraordinary support from sponsors like Black Hills Energy, CHFA, and Higginbotham, the evening was a true testament to Pueblo’s generosity.
Thanks to the remarkable effort of our dancers, volunteers, and the Haven School of Dance, PDI raised over $127,000 — funds that directly strengthen and sustain our programs as we continue empowering the individuals we serve.
Introducing a New Tradition: PDI’s Fall Festival
On October 25, 2025, PDI will proudly host its first-ever Fall Festival on our campus at 2828 Granada Blvd., replacing the long-standing Harvest Fest and bringing refreshing, family-friendly fun to the season.
Attendees can look forward to:
🎶 Live Music
🎃 Trunk or Treat
🍺 Beer Garden
👻 Skull Hallow Haunted Walk
It's a full evening of connection, celebration, and community joy.
Spotlight on Excellence: Staff & Superstar Highlights
Meet Gilbert (Gil) — Production Manager
A cornerstone of PDI since its inception, Gilbert leads major production projects including Driven Plastics, Rocla, Estes Rockets, Ability One contracts, and more
newsletter sept & oct 2025
. His innovative tools and adaptive systems ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed — reflecting both creativity and heart in leadership.
PDI Super Star: Leann
Leann’s infectious positivity and commitment shine across everything she does — from participating in Day Program and Vocational Services to earning Employee of the Month at her job with Five Below
. Her story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when determination meets opportunity.
Celebrating Birthdays & Anniversaries
Our September and October Heart & Soul issue also celebrates team members across multiple departments for their birthdays and work anniversaries, including leadership, nursing, residential services, community engagement, and more (see full list in the newsletter).
Success at the Colorado State Fair
We are thrilled to congratulate Becky R., whose ceramic patriotic boot earned First Place at the Colorado State Fair!
Her creativity, dedication, and craftsmanship continue to inspire our entire community.
A Summer of Adventure with SCC
Our Supported Community Connections (SCC) participants enjoyed an active summer filled with inclusive experiences and community discovery, including:
Rocky Mountain Vibes baseball game
Magic Town at the Michael Garman Museum
Colorado State Fair & Rodeo
Pueblo Bulls hockey game
End-of-Summer BBQ at the Reservoir
These outings foster independence, socialization, and meaningful community ties for participants across the program.
Honoring The Arc of Colorado
PDI was honored to host the Supported Decision-Making Summit, led by The Arc of Colorado, bringing together families, professionals, and advocates to explore Supported Decision-Making (SDM) and its benefits compared to traditional guardianship .
Keynote speaker Jonathan Martinis and Former State Representative Mary Young shared impactful insights that continue shaping opportunities for self-determination and dignity across Colorado.
Ways to Give & Stay Connected
PDI offers several ways for the community to support ongoing programs and initiatives:
Planned Giving — choose how much and how often to give
King Soopers Community Rewards — link your loyalty card using code BX130
Amazon Wish List — donate items directly through Amazon
Monthly Activities Calendar — stay updated on our website
Learn more at www.pdipueblo.org.
