Donations distributed to Waldo Canyon Fire victims
More than a million dollars has been donated to help the Waldo Canyon Fire victims, and more than $600,000 has been distributed.
“It’s natural for people to ask questions, we should ask questions,” said Colorado Springs Philharmonic President and CEO Nathan Newbrough.
Newbrough helped organize the “A Community Rises” event on July 4. He said the relief concert raised about $300,000.
After careful consideration, Newbrough said they decided to give the money to the United Way’s Waldo Canyon Assistance Fund.
The United Way said that special fund was established by an initial grant of $125,000 by the El Pomar Founation. In all, the organization said they’ve received $920,000.
A spokeswoman for United Way said $506,085 has already been distributed to 11 nonprofit organizations that are providing assistance to individuals impacted by the fire. The services include rental and income assistance, mental health services, case management, daycare and personal goods, as well as sheltering animals.
Organizations receiving funds include: the Housing Authority of Colorado Springs, Discover Goodwill, AspenPoint, Cheyenne Village and Mercy’s Gate.
Pikes Peak United Way is no longer accepting donations. They plan to have all the money distributed by the end of the year.
For long-term recovery efforts, another fund has been established at the Pikes Peak Community Foundation.
The Wildfire Tees is also working with the Pikes Peak Community Foundation. The shirts, as you may recall, were designed by local artists to also raise money for victims.
“I thought I could sell a couple hundred shirts and screen print them on Saturday,” said Austin Buck.
Buck said he had no idea how fast his idea would spread. “I was shaking with excitement (when) what I created went viral,” he said.
In the first three days of sales, Buck said he sold 12,000 shirts. He said he ended up with $600,000 in T-shirt sales. About half of that money, Buck said, is being donated.
So far, Buck said they’ve given $120,000 to the Red Cross and Care and Share. They are working on how they plan to distribute the rest.
