The Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado (Federation) proudly announced today that in conjunction with local synagogues, community organizations and national partners, the organization has raised more than $50,000 through the Colorado Fire Relief Fund to help victims, firefighters and other first responders as well as others impacted by the fires.   Federation launched this fund in response to the recent spate of wildfires in Colorado, including the High Park Fire in the foothills above Fort Collins, as well as Colorado Springs’ Waldo Canyon fire.  These two fires alone were the most destructive wildfires in Colorado history, burning nearly 600 homes.

“With donations from more than 20 states, our national response will help Colorado fire victims and first responders,” said Amy Toltz-Miller, Federation’s Annual Campaign Chair.  “With more than 400 donors, Federation received many generous donations – 20 percent of which came from outside Colorado.  We are so proud to be a part of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) community across the country.  Our collective response to crisis situations is amazing.”

Word spread quickly through the JFNA system when Federation launched the Colorado Fire Relief Fund.

“We were able to reach out to our national community quickly and effectively,” said Nancy Gart, Federation’s Coordinating Council Chair.  “We appreciate all of the support as firefighters and other first responders face the worst wildfire season in a decade and countless families have lost their homes”

With more than 175,000 acres already burned in Colorado in 2012, more than 600 homes have been destroyed, thousands were evacuated from homes and six people lost their lives this year in the wildfires.  Unfortunately, the heat combined with low humidity and unseasonable dryness has firefighters working tirelessly to combat the wildfires.

FEDERATION’S COLORADO FIRE RELIEF FUND DISTRIBUTION

Initial funds will be distributed from the Colorado Fire Relief Fund as follows:

• American Red Cross – 2012 Colorado Wildfires Fund:  $20,000
• Salvation Army – Colorado Wildfire Relief:  $10,000
• Firefighters in Colorado Springs and Ft. Collins: $10,000

Federation will distribute the remaining funds once long-term needs are assessed for impacted areas.

One-hundred percent of all donations to Federation’s Colorado Fire Relief Fund will go to directly fire recovery and help victims. There will be no administrative fees taken out of these funds.

As the community convener, Federation mobilizes resources to respond quickly to crisis situations.

“Our tradition says whoever has saved one life, it is considered that he has saved the whole world,” said Seserman.  “We have a responsibility to our greater community to assist in saving and sustaining as many lives as we can.”

To support victims and first responders, please visit Federation’s website to help.  Right now, the Colorado Fire Relief Fund will remain open through the end of July.  If additional fires start this summer, Federation will continue to raise funds to assist those affected.

To donate, Federation has the following options:

• To make a donation online:  www.jewishcolorado.org or go directly to our donation page: jewi.sh/cofires

•  To donate by check, send your check with the notation “Colorado Fire Relief Fund” to:  Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, 300 S. Dahlia, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80246.

For more information about crisis assistance and referrals, visit www.jewishcolorado.org or call Federation’s hotline at 720.934.5365.

About the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado

For 65 years, the Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado has been building and sustaining Jewish life across Colorado, in Israel, and around the world.  Each year the Federation mobilizes the Jewish community to raise the crucial funds required to provide food, refuge, comfort, education, and emergency assistance to millions of people in-need.  Last year, the Federation raised more than $10.1 million that benefited dozens of charitable agencies, both locally and worldwide.