Rooted in Generosity: Meet Founding Family Bryan and Cathy Ronck

At Eagle Valley Community Foundation, we believe the stories of our donors are an important part of our community’s story. Alex Kandalaft, EVCF’s Annual Giving Manager, interviewed Bryan and Cathy Ronck because their generosity reflects what our Founding Families program is all about: building meaningful relationships, understanding local needs, and investing in the community we all share. Their story also demonstrates how personal experiences with service can inspire a lifelong commitment to giving back.

This month, we are thrilled to introduce Bryan and Cathy and share how they found their way to the Vail Valley, became involved with EVCF, and continue a family tradition of generosity.

Finding a Home in the Vail Valley

The Roncks first experienced the Vail Valley while living in Denver in the late 1980s. They frequently visited during both the summer and winter, spending time with family and friends. After Bryan’s career took them to the East Coast in 1992, they continued returning to Colorado, including for many summer vacations in Vail.

When the time came to choose a place for retirement—and a gathering place for their growing family—everyone agreed on Vail. Today, their children and grandchildren are spread from Los Angeles to Boston, but Vail remains their common denominator.

“We are among those who started coming for the summers and soon realized that, while many people visit for the skiing, summer and fall are the reasons to stay,” they shared.

Bryan and Cathy love the valley’s distinct seasons, fresh air, outdoor activities, and welcoming community. They also appreciate the wide range of people who call the area home or pass through it.

“We have found Vail to be one of the happiest places on earth,” they said. “Something as simple as wearing a T-shirt representing a sports team, music artist, or place of interest can spark a conversation and lead to a common connection. It is a friendly atmosphere all around.”

Discovering The Community Market

Bryan and Cathy have always preferred to support local charitable organizations through both financial contributions and volunteer service. They also recognize that in a resort community, it can be easy to overlook the challenges facing the workers and families who make the local lifestyle possible.

Several years ago, while traveling to Edwards for various appointments, shopping, and dining, they noticed people gathered outside a building just beyond the roundabout on the south side of I-70. A little research led them to discover The Community Market, a program of Eagle Valley Community Foundation.

Having supported food banks in other communities where they had lived, Bryan and Cathy immediately felt connected to the mission. A phone call to EVCF led to lunch with a member of the development team and opportunities to tour The Community Market locations in Edwards and Gypsum, as well as the Community Market Garden.

They were impressed by what they saw.

“Our experiences with soup kitchens, food pantries, and the Philabundance food program in Philadelphia reinforced our belief that no one should go hungry when community partners can work together to provide healthy food,” they said.

With The Community Market now serving up to 6,000 people each week, the Roncks understand the critical and expanding role it plays in strengthening food security throughout the Eagle Valley.

As they became more involved, they also learned about EVCF’s broader work. Through events, presentations, and conversations with staff and board members, they discovered how MIRA connects residents with health and human services and how Elevar helps local entrepreneurs pursue their goals and build greater economic opportunity.

“The staff and board are very impressive,” they shared. “Their sincere passion is evident in the programs and future initiatives they discuss.”

A Family Tradition of Giving

For Bryan and Cathy, philanthropy began with the examples set by their parents. Their families gave through their churches and readily supported friends and neighbors during difficult times. When Bryan’s mother passed away, she requested that memorial gifts benefit Our Daily Bread, a soup kitchen that provides meals without questions or conditions.

Their own commitment to volunteering grew alongside their family. Cathy began by volunteering in their children’s elementary school library. As the children grew older, the entire family served together in soup kitchens, participated in inner-city tutoring, and became involved with church ministries.

“These opportunities provided a foundation for our family and demonstrated the importance of giving back and helping others,” they said.

Later, Cathy tutored English-language learners, expanded her church service, and helped establish a free medical and dental clinic for uninsured and underinsured working people. That experience showed her firsthand the needs hardworking families can face and the importance of treating every person with dignity and respect.

Today, Cathy volunteers at the Vail Health hospital gift shop, whose proceeds helped fund the first MIRA bus. Bryan’s career in the natural resources industry also created opportunities to support underserved Appalachian communities in West Virginia and Kentucky.

As a couple, the Roncks focus their charitable involvement on four areas: faith-based giving, educational assistance, mental health support, and community food banks. They prefer giving directly to local or familiar organizations so they can understand how their contributions are used and see the difference they make.

“Sometimes, simply seeing a smile is a great reward,” they said.

Building a Stronger Community Together

Bryan and Cathy encourage others to learn more about EVCF and discover the many ways to become involved.

“There are a variety of ways to help, both financially and through volunteering,” they said. “The organization’s work is wide-ranging, so opportunities arise throughout the year. The need is great for many families in the valley, and it continues to grow.”

EVCF is deeply grateful to Bryan and Cathy Ronck for sharing their story and for helping our neighbors access nutritious food, essential resources, and opportunities to build brighter futures.

You can join the Roncks and other Founding Families in strengthening the Eagle Valley. Make a gift, sign up for a volunteer shift, tour one of our programs, or contact our team to learn more about supporting The Community Market, MIRA, and Elevar. Together, we can ensure that every person who makes this valley special has the opportunity to thrive.