McKee Wellness Foundation Honors Local Heroes at 2025 Lunch with Lifesavers Event

Recognizing those who save and change lives through The Next Frontier Initiative

McKee Wellness Foundation proudly hosted its 2025 Lunch with Lifesavers event on April 29 at Grace Place, welcoming more than 200 attendees. The event celebrates individuals and organizations whose efforts have saved and transformed lives by expanding access to health and wellness throughout Northern Colorado. The event also provides a glimpse into the powerful work being done through the flagship initiative The Next Frontier.

The McKee Wellness Foundation transitioned to an independent public charity nearly a year ago to respond quickly to our region’s most urgent wellness needs. Since that time, the foundation has refocused its efforts to address the most urgent needs of Northern Coloradoans in the areas of cancer care, crisis health, dental support, mental and cognitive healthcare, the HEARTSafe Community program, the Blue Star Fund for veterans and Loveland Community Health Center. More than $1.3 million was distributed through these initiatives over the past year, tripling the foundation’s initial projections.

The second part of the celebration honored six community members and organizations with the annual Lifesaver Awards. Each awardee is advancing solutions in one or more of the foundation’s key initiatives.

This year’s award recipients are:

• Business Partner of the Year: ANB Bank. Recognized for their unwavering generosity and deep community spirit, ANB Bank has been a steadfast partner in advancing McKee Wellness Foundation’s mission.
• Hometown Hero of the Year: Becky Burton Aldrich. Inspired by her father’s dedication to public service, Aldrich pursued a law degree while raising her family and building a career rooted in community impact. Her impact includes leadership roles at Friends of Hospital, Rotary, Philomatheon Club and McKee Wellness Foundation, where she served on the board and remains an emeritus member.
• Service Agency of the Year: Loveland Fire Rescue Authority. Loveland Fire Rescue Authority is recognized for its critical role in fire response, rescue, emergency preparedness and their ongoing partnership in the HEARTSafe Community initiative as well as helping to train thousands of community members in CPR and place community-access AEDs.
• Philanthropists of the Year: Ken and Linda Mathias. Ken and Linda Mathias were honored for their heartfelt commitment to philanthropy, demonstrating that true giving is rooted in care and compassion. They have given support to the Loveland Public Library and Berthoud Historical Society, among many others, and have dedicated a special legacy gift to McKee Wellness Foundation.
• Partner Agency of the Year: Dementia Together. Recognized for transforming the approach to supporting individuals and families facing dementia, Dementia Together exemplifies innovation, empathy and collaborative care. The organization is celebrating 10 years and has touched the lives of more than 25,000 people in that time.
• Mary Gullikson Founder’s Award: Morrison “Mo” Heth. A pillar of the McKee Wellness Foundation since its founding, Heth has served with distinction on the boards of Home State Bank, the Thompson School District Foundation and the Loveland Chamber of Commerce. He has been deeply committed to the Rotary Club of Loveland and is a former Rotary District Governor. Heth is honored for his tireless efforts in helping to shape the future of the McKee Wellness Foundation.

The Lunch with Lifesavers event not only celebrates these honorees but also inspires commitment to addressing Northern Colorado’s most pressing and wellness needs. For more information about the Next Frontier Initiative, visit mckeefoundation.com/nextfrontier.