Southern Colorado non-profits, organizations collecting donations for Boulder County
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Non-profits, organizations, and businesses in southern Colorado are stepping up to gather supplies and monetary donations to take to fire victims in Superior and Louisville in Boulder County.
Last week, more than 35,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes as two wildfires spread across Boulder County. Boulder County officials say nearly 1,000 homes were damaged and destroyed. Businesses also burned to the ground, including a Super Target and Tesla dealership.
While the Community Foundation of Boulder County and the Colorado Red Cross are accepting donations to support disaster relief efforts following the Marshall and Middle Fork fires, there are ways to donate directly in Colorado Springs.
The non-profit organization 22 Until None, in partnership with Disgruntled Vets, is collecting clothing, household items, and furniture for Boulder County fire victims this Thursday.
Christopher Ruble with 22 Until None says the community response in the first 72 hours of collecting has been overwhelming.
"I don't have the words," Ruble says.
He says now their needs have shifted from the aforementioned donations to non-perishable food items.
"Water, tuna fish, things like that that are easily mobile and easy to transfer," Ruble says.
22 Until None and Disgruntled Vets are also taking monetary donations. With that, they are purchasing items on Amazon to add to the supplies they're taking to Boulder County.
Lastly, the two groups say they need volunteers to help sort through the donations.
Terry Shattuck with Colorado Springs-based animal advocacy group, "So Much for Pets" says his organization is collecting pet food, kennels, crates, beds, and blankets for Boulder County fire victims with furry family members.
"I cannot imagine the horrific loss, not only of homes but particularly animals," Shattuck says.
So Much for Pets has been collecting supply and monetary donations for areas that experience disaster for ten years.
"We never set out to do this, but probably 80-percent of what we do is responding to emergencies," he explains.
Shattuck says they need additional donations after making monetary donations to tornado victims in Kentucky.
As of Tuesday, Jan. 4, Disgruntled Vets/22 Until None is no longer accepting donations. The organization reached out to KRDO with a photo showing the number of items they've received since beginning the donation drive.
So Much for Pets is still accepting donations click here.
To sign up for the Airbnb Open Homes program, if you wish to open your home to displaced Coloradans from the Marshall Fire, click here.
While local organizations were able to accept material donations, the Boulder County Office of Emergency Management says their office is unable to accept material donations. People are discouraged from donating items to Boulder County shelters and disaster support locations.
On their website, the BCOEM says "victims most need money." While some families have direct GoFundMe accounts, officials say they cannot verify the authenticity of each fundraiser and encourage people to donate monetarily directly to the Community Foundation of Boulder County.
For people unable to give money or material items, officials say there will be many needs in the months ahead and welcome people to sign up as a volunteer to help with the relief effort.
For information on what the next steps are for anyone affected by the Marshall Fire, including mental health services, click here.
