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Spread the love this week by giving back to these special causes.
National Bagel Day: Celebrate National Bagel Day with Einstein Bros. Bagels. Get a free bagel and shmear with any purchase and Einstein’s will donate another to Denver shelters. Visit EinstenBros.com to download your coupon and help Einstein’s spread the love. Tuesday; locations and hours vary
Have a Heart for Homeless Pets Telethon: If you have a soft spot for furry friends, then tune into 9 News and KUSA’s Colorado & Company to support the Denver Dumb Friends League, the largest animal-welfare organization in the region. On Thursday, the DFL is hosting a telethon to raise funds that will help continue its mission to end pet homelessness and animal cruelty. The telethon will feature guest interviews and videos of pets they’ve helped, as well as showcase animals up for adoption. Viewers are encouraged to call in or go online to make a donation. Insider tip: If you become a monthly donor of $10 or more a month, you’ll receive a special Dumb Friends League tote. Thursday, 9 News 4:30 a.m.–10:35 p.m.; KUSA 10–11 a.m.
How Did I Get Here Fundraiser: Catch the Denver premiere of pro-skier, model, and surfer Sierra Quitiquit’s semi-biographical film, How Did I Get Here, and support a good cause. The film, released in fall 2015, details the tragic and inspirational events of Quitiquit’s life as she pursued her dreams of being a pro athlete. The fundraiser, hosted by the National Sports Center for the Disabled’s Future Leaders Group, includes a silent auction and prize raffle/giveaway (think Astis mittens, a Suunto GPS watch, and more), as well as performances by Colorado natives Grayson Erhard and Pandas & People and bites from Basic Kneads Pizza. Proceeds benefit NSCD, an organization focused on therapeutic outdoors and sports-related activities for disabled individuals. Thursday, 6–11 p.m.; Oriental Theater, 4335 W 44th Ave.; $20–$25
Movie and a Martini: When Harry Met Sally: If you’re over 21, enjoy the classic When Harry Met Sally while drinking, eating, and supporting operations for the Wildlife Experience at CU South Denver. Arrive early and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and popcorn while you explore the museum exhibits. Friday, 5:30 p.m.; Liniger Building at CU South Denver, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker; $18–$28
Heart Throb Run 5k—Arvada and Longmont: Back for the fifth year, the Heart Throb 5k is hitting local parks in both Arvada and Longmont to get your heart racing. The Arvada event at Memorial Park benefits Arvada Community Food Bank; participants are encouraged to bring five canned goods on race day to be entered in a raffle for prizes from Heart Throb Run sponsors, like Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Livestrong. Donate $100, and your entry fee is waived. (No dogs or small children allowed during the race.) Afterward, head to Olde Town Arvada, where Fuzzy’s Tacos is offering $.99 margaritas and Global Goods Coffee has BOGO coffee with race bibs. Saturday, 10 a.m.; Memorial Park, 8001 W 59th Ave., Arvada
The Longmont race, taking place at Sandstone Park, benefits OUR (Outreach United Resource) Center, which helps local families in need of food and resources. Those who donate five non-perishable items can win prizes (t-shirts, gift certificates, etc.). Feel free to bring your little ones and dogs, and stop by the after party at Shoes & Brews (bring your race bib) for $2 pints and 15 percent off shoes. Plus, enjoy a free beer when you buy a new pair of running shoes. Sandstone Park, 3001 CO-119, Longmont; $35–$40 registration fee per person
Tea Creation: This may be your cup of tea. GrowHaus, a nonprofit indoor farm, marketplace, and education center, will host Sujeeva Ranasinghe, owner of Colorado-based Senkada Tea, as part of their bi-weekly workshop series to discuss the history and benefits of tea, brewing the perfect cup, and more. The inaugural event is also a hands-on workshop, where participants will learn to harvest ingredients from the GrowHaus. You may even join a high tea to enjoy tea, cakes, and scones. All proceeds benefit GrowHaus. Saturday, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.; GrowHaus 4751 York St., Denver; $17–$45
Comfort Quilts for Kids: Don’t overestimate the power of simple objects in the wake of disaster. Join forces with the Layfayette Public Library to help create quilts for local firefighters and police officers to carry in their trucks and patrol cars and hand out to children in need. Can’t make it to this event? The library hosts group quilting sessions the second Saturday of each month. Learn how to operate a sewing machine (if you don’t know already) or hand-stitch squares together. Your sewing skills don’t have to be top notch, and you can drop by anytime for any length of time. Saturday, 1–5 p.m.; Lafayette Public Library Lower Classroom, 775 Baseline Rd, Lafayette
I Heart Fridays: Join the Denver branch of the American Heart Association as they partner with Cherry Creek North every Friday in February for “I Heart Fridays,” a campaign to build awareness for the causes of heart disease. Additionally, through Feb. 11, visit the Ross-Cherry Creek branch of the Denver Public Library to decorate Valentines and cookies for children at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children or Brent’s Place. Through Feb. 26; locations and times vary
Water for the West: Join University of Colorado Athletics to restore thousands of gallons of water to the Colorado River Basin. Attend a home basketball game through February and listen for the announcement and water droplet basketball shot. Text “WATER” to 27126 and pledge to make changes to your daily routine to conserve water. For every text received during the games, CU Athletics will restore 1,000 gallons of water to the Colorado River Basin with help from Change the Course, a national initiative to help restore water to endangered rivers. Water for the West is the most recent addition to Ralphie’s Green Stampede, which has helped CU Athletics become a zero-waste, carbon-neutral, pesticide-free, solar-powered, and sustainably housed department. Thursday, Feb 11; Saturday, Feb 13; Friday, Feb 19; Sunday, Feb 21; Sunday, Feb 28, times vary
To submit your event or organization for inclusion in 5280‘s weekly “Get Involved” column, email getinvolved@5280.com.