We are happy to announce that we have comfortably settled into our new home. July marked the first month the OtterCares team was under the same roof; sharing the same four walls. Move in day was an exciting day as we marveled over the detailed characteristics of our cozy, restored Old Town home at 401 W. Oak St.

For the last two years, since the launch of the OtterCares Foundation in 2010, our small but mighty staff has worked in separate offices, meeting in scattered OtterBox conference rooms or whatever free space we could find. Through the growth and success of our programs, we learned that in order to be as efficient and agile as we want to be, we needed an office that we could all call home.

Today, we are together in one place. We are able to lean over the desk to ask each other questions, strategize together and make quick decisions through impromptu meetings. To us, this is more than just the OtterCares’ house—it’s a place where our dreams for the foundation can continue to grow and become a reality.

All the smiling, giddy faces on the morning of Friday, August 10 made it difficult to tell who was more excited about Pack2School, the kids or the volunteers. Hundreds of children waited anxiously to pick out their school supplies. Meanwhile, volunteers took their places, ready to face paint, help children pick out supplies and entertain through dancing and music.

Planning this event is unlike any other because we have to take into account the thousands of students in Poudre School District whose families need assistance purchasing school supplies this year. OtterCares’ mission of educating and empowering youth makes it essential for us to ensure these kids have the tools necessary for classroom success.

In our second year of hosting the Pack2School event, OtterCares made several operational changes to improve the overall flow of the event, while still maintaining a fun-filled, action –packed atmosphere. The increased need for school supplies in Poudre School District and coupled with the addition of high school students, the event served over 1700 students this year, up more than 20% from last year.

While waiting to shop for school supplies, participants enjoyed entertainment, which included face painting, dancing, music and signed autographs from local, aspiring Indy car driver Scott Anderson. Several local non-profit agencies were also on-hand to provide important information about programs and offerings. Volunteers and participants alike left the day feeling happy and excited to get the school year started off right!

OtterCares is proud to support local youth racecar driver Scott Anderson, the 2011 Skip Barber National Championship winner. In return he will be promoting OtterCares through racing. Scott will feature our logo on his car and will volunteer at several OtterCares events this summer. Scott is currently competing in the USF2000 National Championship Memorial Day weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway. The 2012 Cooper Tires USF2000 presented by Mazda series will head to Indianapolis on May 25th and 26th as part of the Indianapolis 500 festivities.

It’s a new season in a new, faster car. Scott has had two race weekends so far, so he’s had a good amount of time in the USF2000 car already. He is always challenging himself and thinks it’s the satisfaction of progressing and getting better at something that keeps him motivated. Scott’s feeling of empowerment is what OtterCares strives to instill in all youth. Karting was always one of his passions growing up, but it wasn’t until he drove a race car for the first time at a Skip Barber Racing School that Scott realized he wanted to race for a living.

In his free time Scott tries to get out every day to fit in as much fun as possible, which is very important to him. “I do a lot of mountain biking and swimming in the summer, and I try to ski as much as I can in the winter. Even though Scott’s training is intense, he still manages to get a good amount of time away from the racetrack, though a lot of this time is spent talking to and seeking out new sponsors.

Scott’s major goals include winning the Indy 500 and becoming the IZOD IndyCar Champion, which will keep him busy for a while. Scott’s hope for young people around the world is that they try new things and find something that they are passionate about no matter what it takes. It might lead to dreams you never thought of!