Micha Handler Doesn’t Want to Waste Food…or Money
What would you do with $5,000? For Cherry Creek Schools graduate Micha Handler, the answer was a no-brainer: support students in the ILC (special education) program at her alma mater through the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation.
Handler, who graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 2018, feels a strong connection to special education programs, having grown up with several students with Down syndrome in her neighborhood. When Handler’s grandmother told her grandchildren that she would give them money to donate to a worthy cause, Handler wanted to help students who don’t always receive the most funding. Handler donated $5,000 to the ILC program to use for event supplies as well as to fund the Unified Sports program.
“The special education teacher shouldn’t need to pay for an ice cream party with their own money,” Handler said. “I volunteered with the Unified Sports program and it was such a special time in my life. We would go to the basketball games and take the kids to get ice cream after. All kids deserve those special moments.”
Handler was also inspired by her friendship with fellow alum Andrew Regan, an athlete who has Down syndrome and gained national attention for making a half-court shot during a Unified Sports game in 2019.
“Andrew and I talk every day, he is the sweetest, most special person,” Handler said. “So many people knew him in high school, and he had the opportunity to show people what he can do. Every kid deserves that opportunity.”
Currently working in New York City as a sales specialist for Too Good to Go, an app that connects customers to restaurants that have surplus, unsold food, Handler said that she got her start in sales – and advocacy – early.
“I was eight years old, knocking on doors in our neighborhood, asking if kids wanted me to teach them tennis,” laughed Handler. “Now I’m calling up cafes and 5-star restaurants, and I’ve gotten hang-ups and expletives, but sometimes you connect with someone who really gets how important food sustainability is.”
Handler firmly believes that everyone should have a sales job at least once, explaining that the skills she’s learned – communicating, building relationships and trust, and how to advocate for yourself or others – can apply to so many areas in life.
“I think there’s always an opportunity to do more, give more,” Handler added. “Volunteering never felt like work or something I had to do. I got to build genuine friendships with some amazing people.”
Handler admits that “Creek” has a special place in her heart, and she takes a drive around the campus every time she’s in town with a specially-curated playlist from her high school days.
“I’ll be in my car, listening to Miley Cyrus, and I always look to see if someone is playing tennis,” Handler said. “Maybe one day I’ll be driving around with my kids and showing them a place that is a big part of who I am.”
