September 30, 2009

Friends of Charity Award given to laywoman

Sally Brands, described by many as “volunteer extraordinaire,” was presented the Msgr. Thomas Dentici Friends of Charity Award on Sept. 16 in Rifle, Colo.

The award is named after Brooklyn-born priest Msgr. Thomas Dentici, who served parishes in the New Jersey area and spent time in a Trappist monastery before joining the Denver Archdiocese in 1981. Now retired, Msgr. Dentici served at several parishes throughout the Western Slope. Given by Catholic Charities, the Msgr. Dentici Friends of Charity Award is bestowed on those who exhibit exemplary service to the Western Slope community.

When told she would receive the award, Brands said she felt, “a little embarrassed.”

“I just did what needed to be done,” she protested. “I am not good at stuffing envelopes but I am good at organizing. You know, around here (western Colorado) you can always find someone to help get things done. People here are very self-reliant and don’t wait around for someone else to do something. They take it upon themselves to make things happen.” 

Father Robert E. Hehn, pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Rifle, said Brands models how to serve others. “Sally has and is fulfilling Jesus’ mandate to help others,” he said.
Born in Portland, Ore., Brand earned a bachelor’s degree in theology from Mundelein College, now part of Loyola University in Chicago. Upon graduation she moved to Los Angeles and taught high school religion, as well as earned her master’s degree in philosophy of religion. That is where she met and married her husband, John Savage. 

The couple relocated to Rifle in the 1980s. They had four children, now adults living in various parts of the world, and have been married for 31 years. Since moving to the Western Slope, Brands has consistently given to the community. While her children were in school, she served on the local school board and has served on many civic boards. She has been a teacher, a bookkeeper and for the last 10 years, a general contractor.

“Sally single handedly had a new building built for LIFT-UP in Rifle,” said Michael Powell, executive director of the nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential humanitarian assistance. “From securing the land to construction management, she made it happen. She provided her professional services and was able to persuade other contractors to do the same. Built for half the cost, her leadership has had an enormous impact on the community. By keeping costs low, more assistance is available for those in need.”

Brands also used her general contracting abilities to get a three-unit apartment complex built at St. Mary Church that would house employees at a minimum expense.

Jim Coombs, immigrant community advocate for Catholic Charities of the Western Slope, noted Brand’s work as a member of the Community Integration Initiative, which provides grants that encourage and benefit community integration activities in the Aspen to Parachute region.

“The past two and half years she has been a strong, wise and positive voice in evaluation and support of numerous programs, and single-handedly gave Rifle a practical, critical voice within CII,” Coombs said.

Brands is also an active board member for the Academy of Western Slope Artists and Musicians and maintains a weekly Meals on Wheels delivery route.

According to Marian McDonough, Catholic Charities’ Western Slope regional director, “Sally exemplifies our mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to the poor and those in need.”