Throughout their 25 years in the Black Forest, Phil and Barbara Hosmer have been models of what citizens can do to serve their community. From their leadership efforts before El Paso County officials, developers and citizens to preserve the Black Forest lifestyle, to their hands-on help for those in need, they have tirelessly given their time and talents to serve others. And they still have had the energy to raise two grandsons, to sponsor many Air Force Academy cadets and to sponsor a foreign exchange student.
Following are just a few examples of how Phil and Barbara have made a big difference in the Black Forest community:
In 2006, an elderly lady in Black Forest, (who wishes to remain anonymous) had Diabetes and kidney failure. She needed transportation to the Davita Dialysis Center in Colorado Springs (approx. 36 miles round trip), for four hour Dialysis treatments three times a week. Without this treatment she was told she would die in a matter of weeks. Black Forest Senior Assistance, which provides transportation for Black Forest seniors to doctors, dentists, therapy, etc., did not have enough volunteers to provide two drivers (one for delivery and one for pick-up, three days a week) and was unable to provide reliable service, especially during inclement weather in the winter. Phil and Barbara stepped in and contacted their church and friends (some with four-wheel vehicles who offered to drive during "snow days"). Phil and Barbara schedule volunteer drivers a month in advance and see that the Dept. of Transportation plows the lady's street after a blizzard. It is a matter of life and death that she not miss a scheduled dialysis, especially the Friday session. Phil and Barbara check to be sure that she has sufficient food, heat, etc., to weather a storm. When the lady has had problems that required hospitalization, Phil and Barbara have provided transportation, companionship and support. A very grateful lady is alive after one year on dialysis, and Phil and Barbara are continuing to oversee her transportation and well-being.
Phil and Barbara are VERY active in the Black Forest Community Club, which is the community's premier service and social organization/ Phil is a current Board member and Barbara served as Board member and chair during 2000 - 2003.
They took over the Black Forest Land Use Committee chair in May 1985 and served until 1996, and are strong advocates of the Black Forest Preservation Plan, which is the master plan for actions which must be taken to preserve the Black Forest for future generations.
Barbara has managed, for the past several years, the Club's project to provide holiday food and gift baskets to needy families.
Phil has co-chaired the Black Forest Seedling Tree Program for several years and with Barbara's help, sets schedules, takes orders, gets trees and organizes distribution.
The trees (and shrubs) are sold to B. F. land owners to be used only as windbreaks and to help prevent soil erosion.
Phil and Barbara have chaired the Black Forest Transportation Committee since 2004,contacting citizens and acting as go-between with El Paso County Department of Transportation and County Planning. Phil, in connection with his committee work, is a current member of El Paso County Truck Route Coordination Subcommittee and also the Public Participation Working Group for Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments 2035 Regional Transportation Plan. In 2003 and 2004, Phil and Barbara led Black Forest citizen participation in development of the El Paso County Major Transportation Corridors Plan.
The Community Club holds a festival each year in August. Phil has managed the grounds set-up, off-site parking and shuttle service, for the past several years. In addition he has been responsible for year-long club grounds maintenance. Barbara recently cooked lasagna and provided salad and dessert for approximately 60 people as a "thank you" dinner for all those who volunteered during the 2007 Festival. She has also managed the entertainment and children's games for the Festival.Barbara has managed the annual Keeper of the Forest Program for the past several years.
This program honors a person (or a pair) who has contributed noticeably to the Forest; who has been active in community affairs and has the future interest of the Forest at heart. She has also managed the entertainment and children's games for the Festival.
Phil and Barbara perform all of their service work with such efficiency that they make it look easy, but Black Foresters know that it will take AT LEAST four people to fill their shoes when they finally decide to really retire and take it easy. It is hoped that they will continue to help make Black Forest a wonderful community. They have done more than their share - They Have Made a difference!