The largesse of customers at a Broomfield Starbucks store will allow a part-time barista to walk a little easier.
Greg Bertram, 22, received a $1,100 check last week, which will help him get a pair of prosthetic feet.
Bertram had all 10 toes and two fingertips amputated after he contracted bacterial meningitis when he was 1. Doctors didn’t expect him to learn to walk. But Bertram did learn to walk, and run, and jump.
He played five years of Little League Baseball and was on the swimming and football teams all four of his years at Ralston Valley High School, playing wide receiver for the Mustangs.
“In (football) practice, I would say, ‘Hey coach can we go in? It’s cold out here. I can’t feel my toes,’ ” Bertram joked.
Bertram, a civil engineering student, said he had begun to notice that over time, his feet were hurting more often. Starbucks baristas stand for most of their workday.
Doctors recommended prosthetics, but Bertram needed at least $500 toward a $2,000 insurance deductible before he could be fitted.
His customers’ gift will help.
On Friday, he met with doctors in Aurora. He said it will take about four weeks to mold the prosthetics, followed by two weeks of physical therapy to help teach him how to use them.
The prosthetics will give him better balance, support, and — finally — toes.
“I wear a size 3 1/2 shoe and the doctor said I could get up to a size 5. I’ll take it,” Bertram said. “I asked him if it would make me taller and he said, ‘Maybe a half-inch.’ I’ll take it.”
Vickie Lutz, a retired math teacher who frequents the coffee shop at 1170 U.S. 287 got the donation drive going.
She wrote a letter telling Bertram’s story, framed it and left it on one of the shop’s self- service counters.
“She thought we could raise $500 in a week, and I thought she was crazy,” store manager Phil Goodlaxson said. “I looked after four or five days, and we had raised $400.”
“I can’t tell you how happy, elated and emotional I was when we found out how much money we raised,” Lutz said. “Broomfield is just an awesome community. A really caring, awesome community.”
Bertram, who worked at the Broomfield store full-time for about three months last year before being transferred to a store in Arvada, said he was stunned by the gift.
“I had no idea. This is the best gift I’ve ever received,” said Bertram, who occasionally fills in at the Broomfield store.
“He’s the guy people come in to see over and over again,” said Goodlaxson. “He’s fun to be around. Very gregarious. He leaves an impression.”
