Longmont nonprofit provides financial, emotional support for local b…

When Harry Lozinski founded the Longmont nonprofit Roberta’s Legacy in 2017, his goal was to provide financial assistance to two breast cancer patients each year. Now, Roberta’s Legacy is making life easier for 46 breast cancer patients and their families within the St. Vrain Valley School District — growth Lozinski attributes to the generosity of the community.

“I never imagined that at some point we’d be helping 46 families and have the funds to do that,” he said. “I grossly underestimated the need in our community. When you get into the weeds, you see that there are so many people in need.”

Roberta’s Legacy, named in honor of Harry Lozinski’s late wife, Roberta, supports patients and their families by helping pay for expenses like utilities, groceries and treatment options. The nonprofit also has several local partners that charge Roberta’s Legacy for services they provide to patients, including housekeeping and lawn care.

“We’re just ordinary people who want to care for those going through a tough time,” Lozinski said. “For me, the main thing is helping them feel loved and like they’re not alone.”

Roberta Lozinski, who was born and raised in Longmont, died in 2015 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. By focusing on Roberta Lozinski’s hometown community, Harry Lozinski said the organization is able to build strong face-to-face relationships.

“They’re family to us, and I think we become family to them,” he said.

At the beginning of this year, the nonprofit moved into an office at Longmont United Hospital, 2030 Mountain View Ave. The space is decorated with lavender walls and soft furniture, which executive director Amy Willard said makes it a calm place for patients to visit even as the hospital atmosphere can bring back painful memories.

“They feel very comfortable here, so it’s been a really big blessing for us to provide more of a private space for people,” said Willard, who is also Harry and Roberta Lozinski’s daughter.

Earlier this month, Roberta’s Legacy raised over $12,000 in its second annual Roberta’s Gifts online auction. The group’s next big fundraiser is Roberta’s Birthday Campaign, which kicks off next month in celebration of Roberta Lozinski’s birthday on April 16.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the nonprofit hopes to launch a Pink Drink Palooza event. Downtown Longmont restaurants will feature a pink drink on their menu and donate a portion of drink sales to Roberta’s Legacy. Willard and Lozinski said the concept already has support through Longmont Dairy, which for years has given the group 50 cents for every bottle of strawberry milk sold during October.

Willard said it’s humbling to see more and more patients get referred to Roberta’s Legacy by local health care providers, as it means the nonprofit is trusted to provide tangible help and be a “lifeline” for people in need.

“It makes me really happy because the legacy that we’re trying to create in Mom is obviously being felt,” she said.

More information about the nonprofit, including upcoming events and how to donate, can be found on its website, robertaslegacy.org.