Waldo Canyon fire: give help, get help

If you are in need of assistance or would like to help people affected by the Waldo Canyon fire, here are some helpful resources:

Shelter:

There are 2 Red Cross shelters in place:

~Summit Elementary School in Divide.

~Cheyenne Mountain High School. The shelter is asking for ice, coolers, and tarps along with the cart team’s request for more animal food. Cat food, dog food, and bird food can be dropped off at the school at 1200 W. Cheyenne Rd. Volunteer veterinarians are also appreciated. Please call 444-7919.

~Rocky Mountain Healthcare Services is opening up their building for people who need a place to stay with their pets. Call 719-641-2747 and ask for Julie. www.rmhcare.org . Also if you would like to donate items, they are in current need for towels, shampoo, soap and food.

~Messenger International has created www.waldofire.com for people who want to open their homes to evacuees and for evacuees looking for a place to stay.

~Visit our new Facebook page, Help KRDO Help Victims of Waldo Canyon Fire, to connect with those in need or to offer help.

~Another Facebook page to get or give help, Waldo Canyon fire assistance: https://www.facebook.com/groups/399483610098529/

“Safe and Well” Registry: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

Red Cross: Goods cannot be accepted at this time. Monetary donations will stay in this community. Volunteers can also sign up through redcross.org. Volunteers experienced working with large animals can call Penrose Equestrian Center to volunteer at (719) 520-7773.

For general questions from the community for Red Cross, please call 719-632-3563

For Animals:

~The Pikes Peak Humane Society is still accepting a limited amount of dogs evacuated by the fire. However, they are at capacity with evacuated cats. The Humane Society is working to find additional emergency sheltering. They ask that you consider monetary donations at hsppr.org. They are still in need of animal kennel donations. They could also use bottled water for staff and volunteers.

~The Norris Penrose Equestrian Center at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd is available for large animals within the evacuation area. They’re currently in need of hay as they have 3 barns of horses.

~Rocky Mountain Healthcare Services is opening up their building for people who need a place to stay with their pets. Call 719-641-2747 and ask for Julie. www.rmhcare.org. Also if you would like to donate items, they are in current need for towels, shampoo, soap and food.

~All Breed Rescue and Training: Room for evacuees and their animals. They can take any small animal including cats. Call 264-6460.

~Pikes Peak Humane Society is still accepting a limited amount of dogs evacuated by the fire. However, they are at capacity with evacuated cats. The Humane Society is working to find additional emergency sheltering. They ask that you consider monetary donations at hsppr.org. They are still in need of animal kennel donations. They could also use bottled water for staff and volunteers.

Pikes Peak United Way:

Pikes Peak United Way’s 2-1-1 Information and Referral hotline is being inundated with calls from local residents wishing to donate their volunteer time and/or resources to help those affected by the Waldo Canyon fire.

However, these calls to 2-1-1, or the direct line 719- 955-0742, are preventing callers in need of emergency assistance from getting through and obtaining aid.

Individuals, who wish to generously donate, are asked to go online to www.helpcoloradonow.org http://www.helpcoloradonow.org and register. Although the website states “Hyde Park Fire,” their names and contact information will be referenced for the Waldo Canyon fire.

At present, the Emergency Response Team is working to identify a collection site and to organize staffing necessary to collect and disperse donated items in an organized manner to help those in need. A representative from COVOAD (Colorado Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster) is on her way down to Colorado Springs to organize this effort.

If you would like to reach the Waldo Canyon Fire Joint Information Center, please call 719-629-7322.