For the first time in the history of the Bank of Estes Park’s Golden Antler Award, the recipient will remain anonymous.
Not because she is unknown.
Quite the opposite.
She is known by many whose lives she has quietly changed, often without anyone else ever realizing it.
This year’s honoree specifically asked not to be recognized publicly. She declined an award nomination, resisted any effort to tell her story, and even expressed that she would prefer no public attention, even after her death.
Yet Bank of Estes Park President and CEO Scott Applegate believes her life embodies exactly what the Golden Antler Award was created to celebrate.
“The person that I want to award this to this time actually refuses to let me do so,” Applegate told those gathered during the bank’s annual announcement. “She’s just such an inspiration.”
Recognizing those who quietly serve
The Golden Antler Award has become one of Estes Park’s most meaningful community recognitions.
Presented annually by Bank of Estes Park, the award honors an individual or organization that has demonstrated “outstanding and extraordinary philanthropic efforts” within the Estes Valley. It is accompanied by a $5,000 grant to a local nonprofit selected in conjunction with the recipient. Since its inception in 2023, the bank has awarded $21,000 to local nonprofits in honor of the recipients.
Rather than recognizing those already in the spotlight, the bank intentionally seeks people whose generosity often goes unnoticed.
“We try to award it to someone who at the time hasn’t been or wouldn’t otherwise be recognized,” Applegate explained. “We feel like we’ve done a good job of recognizing people that really deserve it, that haven’t received that recognition otherwise.”
Applegate reflected on the many people who make Estes Park a stronger community—first responders, teachers, nurses, nonprofit volunteers, small-business owners, hospitality workers, utility crews, and countless others who quietly give back.
“If everybody could just stop and think of the top five people on their list,” he said, “I think probably those top five people would deserve this recognition.”
A life built through perseverance
Although he withheld her name, Applegate shared pieces of the recipient’s remarkable journey.
She did not inherit wealth or privilege.
Instead, she built her life through determination, hard work, and sacrifice.
At one point, he said, she worked multiple jobs—including waiting tables—while creating a successful future for herself. Despite experiencing significant hardships, she consistently chose to invest her time, talent, and financial resources in helping others.
Her generosity rarely came with publicity.
In fact, Applegate described someone who intentionally stayed behind the scenes, quietly supporting people and organizations without seeking credit or recognition.
“She began pushing her time and resources away behind the scenes in every way she thought would help, that would also not get her recognition,” he said.
‘Live your obituary while you’re here’
When Applegate approached her about sharing more of her story to inspire others, she politely declined.
Her response left a lasting impression.
“You know, Scott,” she told him, “I don’t even want an obituary. I believe a person should live their obituary while they’re here.”
Applegate called it “the most amazing quote” he had ever heard.
The philosophy captures the spirit of someone whose legacy has been written not through accolades but through countless acts of compassion performed without expectation of recognition.
The story becomes even more extraordinary because of what she is facing today.
Applegate revealed that the recipient has received a terminal medical diagnosis.
Instead of retreating into despair, however, she has continued serving others confronting similar circumstances.
He described how she spends time sitting with terminally ill patients so they do not have to die alone, offering companionship during life’s final moments.
Even knowing that her own illness offers little hope of recovery, she has enrolled in a medical trial that could prove risky for her but may one day benefit others diagnosed with the same disease.
“Instead of getting lost in self-pity,” Applegate said, “she continues to do what she’s done for a long time—helping others.”
A gift that will help neighbors in need
Ordinarily, recipients of the Golden Antler Award help determine which local nonprofit will receive the accompanying $5,000 grant.
This year’s honoree selected Crossroads Assistance Ministry, an organization that provides emergency assistance and support for individuals and families throughout the Estes Valley.
Applegate joked that her own generosity had “outplayed” him. He learned she has already arranged for her estate to benefit a nonprofit after her death, leaving little room for him to add to her legacy of giving.
Nevertheless, the bank will present the $5,000 grant to Crossroads Assistance Ministry in her honor.
Although the community will not learn the recipient’s identity, Applegate suggested that anonymity may be appropriate as the award has always celebrated philanthropy rather than fame.
This year, it recognizes a woman whose greatest wish is that the attention remain on helping others, not herself.
“We have so many people in our community like this,” Applegate said. “Thank you for being you. Thank you for everything you do.”
In a community known for neighbors helping neighbors, this year’s Golden Antler Award serves as a reminder that some of the most extraordinary lives are lived quietly, with kindness measured not by recognition received, but by lives touched along the way.
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