Meet Our Board

FOCP Board and Contributing Members

The Friends of Charlie's Place organization was established in 2006 as a non-profit with the focused goal of helping the animals at Charlie’s Place, and to offer assistance, when we can, to the companion animals and their owners within our community. Our board meets on a quarterly basis to plan fundraising events, plan our participation in community events, and coordinate adoption events...as well as other projects that help Charlie's Place. Our quarterly FOCP Board meetings are open to everyone and volunteers are encouraged to attend. As always, meeting minutes are available to all interested persons. Contact us to find out the time, date and location of our next meeting.

Meet Our Board of Animal Lovers

Kathleen Ashpaugh

FOCP Board: President/Event Coordinator

Animal family: 3 dogs...Jewels, Max and Minnie.

The number of years you've been involved with animal rescue, animal care etc.: Started with greyhound rescue in San Antonio TX in the 1990's. Love the older dogs and special needs dogs.

Why you want to be on the board: One more voice for the animals, encourage participation in Gilpin county.

Joyce White

FOCP Board: Treasurer

Human family: Husband Dean, two children, Rebecca and Christopher and two granddaughters, Moki and Rosie.

Animal family: After the loss of our precious Koda, Emma Lee and Prinni all within the past year, our home and hearts are full again with our new precious babies Daisy, Duke and Martina (all Charlies Place Alum).

The number of years you've been involved with animal rescue, animal care etc.: I have volunteered to help with Events at Charlies Place for 1 1/2 years. This is my first involvement with animal rescue/care.
Why you want to be on the board: I have a strong financial background that I feel will be beneficial to this organization. Since retiring I now have time to actually help the animals I love so much. I am honored to be on this board, and so excited to have the opportunity to work with this amazing team of animal lovers.

Donna Gee

FOCP Board: Secretary/Volunteer Coordinator

Human family: Live with husband Marc Reagon, their adult children Meagan & Robert, Josh and Briana who also help support FOCP with fundraisers and events.

Animal family: Three doggies Katie, Roscoe & Jersey, and one kitty.

The number of years you've been involved with animal rescue, animal care, etc.:
I have volunteers for the Cat Care Society back in the early 1990s with taking cats to assisted living facilities. I have been involved with FOCP since 2009, and on the Board since 2010 in many capacities.
I am the co-creator of the Clear Creek Animal Response Team (CCART) and currently serve on its Board as the Secretary/Volunteer Coordinator and work closely with Gilpin County Animal Response Team (GCART). I volunteered for the Clear Creek County Advocates working with victims of crime of five years.

Why you want to be on the board: My passion is with animals in hopes to help all companion animals find their forever home. I believe in helping them as they are unable to help themselves. Working together we can make a difference.

Donna Bakalor

FOCP Board: Board Member

Human family: Tony

Animal family: Enzo and Micki (rescue dogs)

Then number of years you've been involved with animal rescue, animal care, etc.: Ten-ish years in a variety of capacities including working with the Animal Law Center, Evergreen, CO.

Why you want to be on the board: To help in any way that I can including but not limited to my legal skills, to make the world a better place for animals that humans have let down in one way or another.

Our Advisory and Contributing Members

Laurie Crow Phenix

FOCP: Advisory Member

Human family: Steve and daughters Katie and Mo and their families.

Animal family: Luna Lu (1 year old Aussie Shepherd). Also, our granddogs: Gremlin, Kamero, Winnie and Eloise and grandcat, Pickle.

The number of years you've been involved with animal rescue, animal care, etc.: I've worked with numerous animal-related organizations for around 40 years including: Hope for Animals, Freedom Service Dogs, GWP Rescue and several rescues in Southern California. My wirehair, Buddy, was a service dog at Littleton Adventist Hospital. One of the founders of Friends of Charlie's Place and served as President until 2022.

Why you chose to contribute to FOCP: Charlie's Place is a wonderful animal shelter. Their small, caring staff work hard to make sure that the animals are comfortable, stimulated, loved and eventually placed into permanent homes. Charlie's Place has never had to refuse ANY animal medical assistance, due to the work that FOCP does. I want to do what I can to keep Charlie's Place functioning as the amazing place that the land donor, Helen Buck, dreamed of (in honor of her dog "Charlie").