Sergeant Turek Giving Project

About

Sergeant Turek Giving Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the North Denver Metro area of Colorado. Our mission is to spread joy and kindness to children in need by providing thoughtfully prepared gift bags that are distributed by local police officers and firefighters during the holiday season.

Founded to honor the legacy of Sergeant Turek, the organization continues a tradition of compassion, community partnership, and service. By working directly with law enforcement and community supporters, we aim to ensure children experience encouragement, care, and a sense of hope.

As we grow, Sergeant Turek Giving Project plans to expand seasonal programs to reach even more children and families throughout the year.

Honoring Service

Carrying Sergeant Frank Turek’s spirit forward with every gift bag, every interaction, every child.

“Seeing the smile on a child’s face is what it is all about.”

Sergeant Frank Turek, EOW 3/28/2022

More About Frank

Legacy

Sergeant Frank Turek worked as a police officer for the Federal Heights Police Department for over 30 years. In the early 2000s, he came across a family that had very little food and lived in a small, cold trailer. As the holidays were approaching, the mom could not afford to buy gifts for her children, and they were struggling to make ends meet. Frank and his family picked out gifts for the family and put together a full holiday dinner to deliver to them.

Frank realized he had an opportunity; seeing each day as a police officer, he came across families in similar situations in the community he served.

He gathered donations from friends and community businesses to organize a gift-giving event. Each December, Frank would get together volunteers to deliver gifts. They would arrive at the mobile home parks and apartment complexes with the police lights flashing and calling families over the speaker to come to the police cars to pick a gift for their children. Families would arrive with large smiles spreading across their faces to receive a gift for their children, with many of the parents having tears in their eyes. It was evident the value of the gifts to these families.

Over the years, the gift-giving event grew so much that Frank would give each family in need an invite, through victims’ services, to come to pick up a gift from the police department because there was no longer enough space in the police cars to bring gifts to them.

Tables lined and organized with gifts were met by so many smiling families. He served a total of approximately 4,000 gifts over the 20 years of his gift-giving.

Frank passed away in 2022 and is remembered fondly by his family, those who worked beside him, and those whom he served in the community.

He invested so much of his time and effort in this gift-giving project, and we are honored to carry on this tradition for him and to continue serving the community.

Board of Directors

Jacquelyn Thomas

Board President

Frank’s Oldest Daughter

An overhead, photographic-real image of a long, sturdy folding table covered with an orderly grid of children’s items ready to be packed into gift bags: plush animals with soft, textured fur, small puzzle boxes with bright illustrations, coloring books, crayons, and cozy fleece hats in various primary colors. Each object is clearly separated, giving a sense of system and intention. Cool, even fluorescent lighting from above creates consistent illumination with minimal shadows, like a well-run community center. The neutral gray floor and simple white walls frame the scene without distraction. The composition is balanced and symmetrical, conveying organization, reliability, and the quiet efficiency behind the gift-giving mission.

Brittany Frascona

Treasurer

Frank’s Youngest Daughter

A close-up, eye-level photograph of a folded, navy-blue drawstring pouch lying on a light maple wood surface, its thick cord forming a gentle curve toward the viewer. A small woven patch on the front displays a minimalist shield symbol and the words “For A Brave Kid” in clean white lettering. Sunlight from a nearby window creates a warm, golden glow, casting a soft shadow behind the pouch and highlighting the fabric’s subtle texture and stitching. In the softly blurred background, faint shapes of stacked children’s books and a toy fire truck add context without drawing focus. The mood is intimate and reassuring, emphasizing care, attention to detail, and dignity in every gift.

Val Turek

Secretary

Frank’s Wife

A single, thoughtfully curated children’s gift bag sits centered on a clean white table, its bright red and blue design featuring a small printed shield emblem and playful star patterns. The bag is slightly open, revealing hints of a plush toy ear, a colorful storybook spine, and a pack of crayons peeking out. Diffused overcast light from an unseen window creates soft, even illumination with almost no harsh shadows, emphasizing the textures of glossy paper and matte cardboard packaging. The background falls into gentle blur with faint shapes of storage shelves and labeled donation boxes. Photographic realism, shot from a slightly elevated angle, creates a calm, caring mood, highlighting the sense of preparedness and generosity embodied in the project.

Mike Turek

Member at Large

Frank’s Son

Ken Colaizzi

Vice President

“I will miss Frank dearly. Frank and I played softball together for over 20 years. Frank always included me on his teams. Often times, I was the only guy on the softball team who wasn’t a cop or firefighter. Frank knew I was very fond of his career as a police officer. I was very fortunate enough to be spoiled by Frank as he took me on numerous ride-alongs. I lost track how many we went on together, but those were some great times we spent in the police car. I can still hear him saying, “Nine your fine, Ten your mine.” Or, one more ticket Ken and we’ll go get a bite to eat. Frank always treated the citizens with the utmost respect and dignity. Even on days I was working near his PD, I’d stop and talk to him while he was in the one and only sneaker unit. Every cop knew that was Franks’ police car. Somehow, I’d always catch him running radar, or on a call. Frank was really a super-cop without a real cape! I sincerely admired watching what I thought was the most professional, and caring police officer to perform the job. He was definitely a go-getter and he loved his fellow officers by providing them the safest equipment to keep them free from harm. Frank was not only generous – he cared deeply for others as if they were also his family. I remember how he would put on a toy drive for the kids who needed a Christmas. Giving to others was such an attribute and second nature to Frank. Frank, I will sincerely miss you and the friendship we made. I pray for your family to heal during this difficult time. Thank you for those precious memories Frank. I know God has a special place in Heaven for Sam4. God Bless you Frank… Love, Ken Colaizzi”

A close-up, eye-level photograph of a folded, navy-blue drawstring pouch lying on a light maple wood surface, its thick cord forming a gentle curve toward the viewer. A small woven patch on the front displays a minimalist shield symbol and the words “For A Brave Kid” in clean white lettering. Sunlight from a nearby window creates a warm, golden glow, casting a soft shadow behind the pouch and highlighting the fabric’s subtle texture and stitching. In the softly blurred background, faint shapes of stacked children’s books and a toy fire truck add context without drawing focus. The mood is intimate and reassuring, emphasizing care, attention to detail, and dignity in every gift.

Todd Stanton

Member at Large