Our hearts go out to the families and individuals who lost everything in the recent Marshall fire in Boulder County. With our headquarters just down the road in Denver, many of us have connections in Louisville, Superior, and Boulder County at large, and we want to do all we can to help. While the damage is assessed, and additional opportunities to help are realized, we’ve gathered some resources to facilitate everyone’s starting point in helping our neighboring community.
Donations
One of the best ways to help is a financial contribution to the voluntary and local agencies responding to the disasters. Cash allows these organizations to purchase exactly what is needed and allows them to support the economy of the impacted area.
Also, in regard to material donations, contribute only things that are requested by officials and bring them to the official designated collection centers. Items not needed may go to waste and get in the way of relief efforts.
Consider financial donations to the following:
- Boulder County Wildfire Fund by The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County
- Verified personal GoFundMe accounts for families affected by the Marshall and Middle Fork fires
Organizations assisting with displaced animals:
- To donate unopened/new pet supplies or make a financial gift, contact Humane Society of Boulder Valley, Longmont Humane Society, and Colorado Pet Pantry.
- To donate hay, contact Colorado Horse Rescue.
Boulder County Disaster Assistance Center
- Any monetary donations to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund above will benefit the center.
- To make a material donation, you can register your offer here.
- Organizations assisting the center with donations:
- Sister Carmen Community Center – See what this organization needs on its website.
- A Precious Child – See their Amazon list for items needed. As of today, these are the top items requested by families: brand new bedding, pillows, sheets, luggage, and backpacks.
Gift Card Drives
Several surrounding municipalities and organizations of the Marshall fire have started gift card drives. Cards are especially needed for hardware stores, home goods stores, and clothing stores. Restaurant and grocery store gift cards are needed as well.
- Arvada & Edgewater – This drive will run until Jan. 14. You can drop off the cards at:
- Arvada Chamber of Commerce / Arvada Visitors Center, 7305 Grandview Ave. | M-Th 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Arvada United Methodist Church, 6750 Carr St. | M-F 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Edgewater Civic Center, 1800 N. Harlan, Edgewater
- Thornton – Drop off at:
- Trail Winds Recreation Center, 13495 Holly St.
- Carpenter Recreation Center, 11151 Colorado Blvd.;
- Thornton City Hall, 9500 Civic Center Dr.;
- Thornton Community Center, 2211 Eppinger Blvd.
- University of Colorado Basketball – Drop off at these games:
- Thursday, January 6
- Men’s Basketball vs. Washington State – 7 p.m.
- Friday, January 7
- Women’s Basketball vs. USC – 7 p.m.
- Sunday, January 9
- Women’s Basketball vs. UCLA – 11 a.m.
- Men’s Basketball vs. Washington – 3 p.m.
- Thursday, January 6
Volunteering
The Boulder Office of Emergency Management has asked that you do not go to the disaster area on your own. Clean-up will start with professional and governmental agencies for now. However, in the coming days, there will be plenty of additional volunteer opportunities through reputable agencies.
Volunteers Currently Needed:
- Crisis Cleanup is a coordination website for relief agencies. They connect survivors who need help, with volunteer groups who can help. To sign up to help OR request services, visit CrisisCleanup.org.
- Colorado Cal Poly Alumni Community is requesting volunteers for Clean up, Feeding, and General Resource Support. For more information, contact Gary Woodward at gwoodfan@gmail.com and 303-775-0410.
- Denver Hope Tribe is requesting volunteers to help support families affected with Mental Health Support, Client Advocacy, Financial Assistance, Clean-up Support, and Light Physical Labor. To volunteer, contact Ashley Woodard at denverhopetribe@gmail.com.
- Spark the Change Colorado’s Mental Wellness Program is requesting licensed and insured therapists to lend mental health services and support to those affected. A background check is required. To volunteer, contact Kelly Groen; kgroen@sparkthechangecolorado.org.
- The Town of Superior is requesting volunteers to staff their information table at the DAC. To volunteer, contact Mikaela Gregg at mikaelag@superiorcolorado.gov.
For forthcoming volunteer information, sign up for the Colorado Responds E-newsletter. You’ll receive the most current information on volunteer and donation needs – what needs to be done, when and what skills are needed plus what donations are needed. Click here to register.
Other ways to help:
Housing – With nearly 1,000 homes affected, several thousands of people have been displaced. If you are an Airbnb host, you can offer a free stay to those in crisis.
Golden Gives Day – Tomorrow, Friday, January 7, 2022, Golden area businesses will hold Golden Gives Day, a designated day in which a percentage of sales from participating businesses will be donated to the Boulder County Wildfire Fund.
This is in no way a comprehensive list, and we will do our best to update regularly as needs change and opportunities arise as this community recovers from the Marshall fire. Please feel free to contact us with additions to the list. Thank you!