Federation Raises Local And National Funds For Fire Relief

Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado (Federation), in conjunction with local synagogues and community organizations as well as our national partners, has launched the Colorado Fire Relief Fund to help victims, firefighters and other first responders as well as others impacted by the fires.

To date, we’ve raised more than $30,000 from more than 250 donors nationally,” said Amy Toltz-Miller, Federation’s Annual Campaign and Philanthropy Chair.  “Multiple fires continue to rage across our state, and combined with dry conditions, the threat of new fires is very real.  Unfortunately, hundreds of people have lost their homes, thousands of people have been forced to evacuate and hundreds of thousands of acres have been burned down.  Please donate to our Colorado Fire Relief Fund to help combat the fires and help victims.”

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

We have had an amazing response to the fire situation in Colorado,” said Doug Seserman, Federation’s president and CEO.  “Locally, we are mobilizing the community through fundraising efforts and the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center in Denver is serving as a drop-off point for much-needed supplies for The Red Cross.   Through our national crisis relief structure, many Federations in other cities began to raise funds to support relief efforts as well.   At Federation, we have established an effective way for our community to respond with all funds going directly to help disaster relief efforts during times of crisis like this.”

Right now, Colorado is experiencing a heat wave that makes firefighters’ jobs difficult.   With drought conditions through the winter and spring and the sheer number of dead trees from the mountain pine beetles, conditions remain very dangerous.

“The Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs is reportedly the most destructive fire in Colorado’s history and the High Park Fire near Ft. Collins is the second largest fire in Colorado’s history,” said Toltz-Miller.  “Firefights, police officers and other first responders have put forth remarkable efforts to contain the fires and help Coloradans across the state, however, many fires are not contained.  Due to the severe, dry conditions in the state, July and August pose significant threats for additional fires as well.”

To support victims and first responders as well as support for our local community, please visit Federation’s website to help.

To donate, Federation and the JCC has the following options:

• To make a donation online:  http://www.jewishcolorado.org/  or go directly to our donation page: http://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.
• Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center in Denver, 350 S Dahlia St., serving as a relief collection point.  Visit the website for a list of needed supplies at www.jccdenver.org.
• To donate, bring items to a drop box in the JCC Philips Social Hall. Enter through the downstairs MACC lobby.

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