As the state’s two largest wildfires in history – Cameron Peak and East Troublesome – continue to burn, each of us has felt the impact of the 400,000+ acres these fires have consumed.
From Pingree Park to Estes Park, to the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins and beyond, we have gaped in horror at the smoke in the sky, marveled at the sunsets, swept ash off our cars, and have been brought to tears by the stories of destruction. Forests burned. Towns evacuated. Animals displaced. Homes and businesses destroyed. Lives shattered.
We are asking “How can we help?”
The Community Foundation created the NoCoFoundation/Fires page on our website, to share resources for those who want to help – and for those who need it.
Recovery from major disasters comes in three tiers:
- immediate needs
- intermediate needs
- long-term recovery
Immediate needs, including emergency shelter and food, are being effectively met by the wonderful organizations listed below. Please consider directing your charitable dollars to support immediate needs to:
- Serve 6.8 – evacuee centers to help determine immediate and long-term needs, provide food, clothing, school supplies, and other resources.
- American Red Cross of Northern Colorado – shelter and meals; to ensure your gift comes to our local chapter, make your check out to American Red Cross of Northern Colorado, 1808 N. Boise Ave #110, Loveland, CO 80538. In the memo line write “disaster relief in Larimer County.”
We’re closely following developments, gathering information from numerous sources, and tracking recommendations of what needs to happen to successfully assist in helping Northern Colorado recover.
After carefully considering the funding needs of our community and the best use of resources – and communicating with partner organizations to identify intermediate and long-term recovery needs – the Foundation will launch the NoCoFires Fund. These needs may include erosion control, effects on the watersheds, and much-needed conservation efforts.
The Foundation is proud to play a leadership role in coordinating and obtaining recovery funding from these fires, as we proudly have supported our community through past disasters. Stay tuned for an update on longer-term needs and our plan for raising then distributing funds.
During challenging times, Northern Coloradans have demonstrated exemplary kindness and resilience. Our hearts go out to our often-weary first responders and those who have been victims of the fires’ destruction, some of whom are close friends of the Foundation.
In addition, the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado is partnering with the 9News program Next with Kyle Clark and his “Word of Thanks” fund. Tune in tonight, October 28, at 6:00 p.m.!
The Foundation will serve as the clearinghouse for donations, which we will collect via NoCoFoundation.org/wordofthanks and then distribute equally to three organizations: Community Foundation of Boulder County, Grand Foundation, and the United Way of Larimer County, to support their immediate relief efforts.