From private individuals offering space in their homes, tobusinesses offering freebies to evacuees, to nonprofits working 24/7 to serve a community under siege, the citizens of El Paso Countyrallied around the victims of the Waldo Canyon Fire and the men andwomen fighting it Sunday.
El Pomar Foundation announced the disbursement of about $75,000in emergency grants to a number of organizations involved infighting the Waldo Canyon Fire and helping its victims. El PomarChairman and CEO Bill Hybl said the foundation's Wild Land Fire teammet at 7 a.m. Sunday to approve the grants.
'The trustees asked us: respond quickly,' Hybl said. 'The needsare now.'
The money comes from the foundation's Wild Land Fire Fund, whichwas started in 2002 during the Hayman fire. Last week, thefoundation allocated about $129,000 from the fund to help small firedepartments buy equipment, and to help the American Red Cross withhelping fire victims in Northern Colorado.
If El Pomar represents the institutional side of the fireresponse, the Waldo Canyon Fire Assistance Page on Facebookrepresents the grassroots effort. Established Sunday morning, itquickly filled up with individual offers from people eager to helpevacuees with housing, animal sheltering, hauling, babysitting --even laundry services.
'I think it's absolutely amazing to see so many people comingtogether to help people in need,' Brandy Allison said of theFacebook page, where she posted an offer for free child care. 'I'malways willing to help anybody in need, and this is my way to giveback.'
Grocery stores provided supplies of water, Gatorade, food andother refreshments, restaurants donated food, and veterinarians weredonating their time and expertise to help animals placed intoshelters that were also volunteering space, staff and time.
While offering services, some of the organizations also put in arequest for supplies to serve the evacuees and their animals. TheNorris-Penrose Center, for example, put out a call for fans,extension cords and hay, while Care and Share asked for lip balm andeye drops in addition to its usual request for food.
As of 2 p.m. Sunday, here were other offers and services beingextended to fire victims and firefighters. This is not an exhaustivelist; email citydesk@gazette.com to include your information:
* SecureCare Self-Storage is offering 30 days of free storage atall its Colorado Springs-area locations, no questions asked. Call 1-877-907-1649 for more information.
* The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region is opening its facilities toevacuees, starting Sunday and lasting until further notice. The Yalso is opening its day camps to children of evacuees, ages 5 to 12.Spokeswoman Mary Beth Burichin said camps last for a week, butevacuees can enroll a child for as many days as they need, spacepermitting. The Briargate Y camps are full, but the others haveopenings, she said. Go to http://www.ppymca.org/for Y locations,hours and contact information.
* Calvary Worship Center, 505 Castle Road, has offered its spaceto serve water, Gatorade and food to fire and police employeesworking the fire. The church also having a prayer meeting at 6 p.m.Sunday.
* The Colorado Springs Sky Sox is making free tickets availableto evacuees for the games Sunday and Monday. Sunday's game isalready under way; Monday's game begins at 12:35 p.m. Go to the boxoffice and let the ticket window employee know you are an evacuee.
* The Mining Exchange, a new luxury hotel downtown, is offeringrooms at a discounted price of $99 for fire evacuees. The rooms arenot ready to open to the public, but the hotel owner said they haveall the amenities that people need, except for a few frills likeartwork. 323-2000.
* Family Life Services will open its facilities to any localbusiness or nonprofit that needs a meeting space or check-in pointfor its employees. There is wi-fi, a full service kitchen and a flatscreen tv. Call executive director Julie Abel at 322-1637 to makearrangements.
* Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado is holding a fooddrive through Tuesday, until 7 p.m. each day. Drop off non-perishable foods at the warehouse, 2605 Preamble Point, which is onConstitution Avenue about 1/4 mile east from Powers Boulevard.Specific needs: rice, soup, boxed and canned meals, stew, granolabars.
* D 'n J Towing and Recovery, 2255 Busch Ave., is offering freestorage for evacuees' RVs, motor homes and trailers through Friday.Call 492-0147 for information.
* Rocky Mountain Health Care Services, 310 S. 14th Street, canshelter up to 50 evacuees and their pets. They also could useblankets, sheets, pillows, cots and air mattresses. Call 641-2747.
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Erin Prater contributed to this report.
