El Pomar Foundation offering financial help for hail, flood victims

Many people in Colorado Springs and Fountain still dealing with hail damage are getting their first glimpse of good news.

El Pomar Foundation is offering $500,000 to those victims. The foundation originally put up $250,000 before doubling the effort Thursday evening.

The temporary hail assistance center opened up Thursday morning at 1675 West Garden of the Gods Road. Crowds saw wait times up to four hours, with others being turned away after 3 p.m. Thursday.

Those devastating hail storms have swept through Southern Colorado many times now. Many still remember the June 13 hail storm that caused up to $169 million in damage.

But now people are adding the Aug. 6 storm to that list.

“First [storm], there was no warning. The second one, we knew it was coming, but we didn’t know it was going to be exactly the same as the first one with the baseball-sized hail,” said Aisha Young, who lives in Fountain.

Many people like Michelle Blaisdel have been slammed with several deductibles and bills.

“I have to pay out of pocket because I just have liability on my old car,” she said.

So El Pomar Foundation is stepping in with financial aid to help people just like her.

“It’s $250 per car per driver and we’re offering $500 for the house,” said Shawn Nielsen, supervisor for the El Paso County Fraud Prevention and Investigation Unit.

And while it may not sound like a lot, it makes a difference to those impacted.

“I got approved for the minimum $250 so that should cover it, which is super, super helpful, and I’m glad we have some sort of assistance,” said Kaylee Belveal who lives in Fountain.

Though the need for financial help is huge, El Pomar Foundation has limited funds and the help is only available on a first come, first served basis.

This center will also be open on Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.