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7Everyday Hero Colleen Sawyer keeps reading, library history alive

7Everyday Hero makes reading available to everyone
Posted at 7:35 AM, Feb 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-19 09:35:12-05

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — On most days you'll find Colleen Sawyer in her happy place: nestled in between stacks of books and stories that take readers to far away places.

"She loves kids and they love her," said Gayle Yeo, Broomfield Library's manager of circulation services.

Colleen's passion for reading started when she was just a child, but her love of history has become her calling.

"I am Mamie Doud Eisenhower, who was Dwight Eisenhower's wife," Colleen said, dressed as the spitting image of Mamie Doud Eisenhower.

If that name sounds familiar, look no further than the library door.

"Our library is named after Mamie Doud Eisenhower," Colleen said. "She and Ike came to Broomfield in 1963 and dedicated the library."

And for years, the former teacher has been dedicated to making sure people know its history. She often dresses in costume and gives talks to various groups about the library's deep roots.

"This is my other persona," Colleen said.

When she's not in character, Colleen dedicates four days of her week at the book store volunteering to clean and prepare donated books for purchase.

"We're raising money for the Broomfield Library Friends Foundation, which supports programs in the library," Colleen said.

For seven years now, she's been dedicated to what she calls the heart of her community.

"She's always giving of herself to serve the community, serve the library," Yeo said. "She's just available and has a great attitude and always wants to go the extra... She loves kids and they love her."

You don't have to look far to see her impact.

"I love Broomfield and I feel like I want to give back to the community for all that it's done for me," Colleen said.

Molly Hendrickson anchors Denver7 in the mornings from 4:30-7 a.m. She also features a different 7Everyday Hero each week on Denver7. Follow Molly on Facebook here and Twitter here. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.