generosity at home

photo taken 9.6.10 by msitarzewski

As many of you are aware, there is a huge wildfire burning just outside of Boulder, CO. It began about 11:00am on Labor Day. Details are still unclear as to what the exact circumstances were.

The fire has spread to over 7,000 acres and has burned many, many—way-too-many—homes and structures. Watching the twitter stream and seeing reports of the loss of a home confirmed has been heartbreaking.

Smelling and inhaling the smoke as I walk through town serves as a constant reminder that there is tragedy, pain and heartache. But that there’s also courage, bravery and staggering generosity.

The community of Boulder warms my heart and sustains my belief that there is much good in this world, despite disaster and adversity.

Residents opening their homes to evacuees and their pets; local businesses providing free meals and shelter; strangers offering rides, money and clothing to neighbors and new friends.

Boulder is the home in my heart, even though I’m not physically living there at the moment (my husband and I are staying with friends outside of town as we prepare to embark on a year-long adventure on the road).

I heart Boulder.

Here are a few ways you can help (please feel free to add more resources and links to the comments, or contact me with info and I’ll be happy to edit and update this post):

Donate to the Red Cross. They’re providing shelter, clothing, food and resources to evacuees and firefighters.

Donate to Longmont Humane Society. They’ve taken in scores of evacuated pets that aren’t able to stay in the shelters with their owners.

Drop off clothes and donations to Boulder Outlook Hotel & Suites. They’re offering shelter for evacuees.

Drop off clothes, food and water at YMCA Mapleton Center for firefighters and evacuees.

Comments

[Alec Campbell]

Hi Amy. I am one of those evacuated but my plight is merely a minor inconvenience. Thoughts go out to those who have lost homes. I've been following www.boulderfire.com - an aggregation of tweets, many of which are offers of accommodation, food, pet shelter, and office space. Boulder is indeed a very special place.

Alec

[Amy C]

Alec,

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and posting the url for up-to-date information.

Hopefully we'll see the end of the fire soon and you'll be able to return home,
Amy

[eliannaj]

Amy, thanks for sharing the links. I know I speak for thousands of others here in town who want to contribute to the effort to ease people's suffering in this time of pain.

We have a great community and really know how to come together to help each other. Another link from today's Daily Camera is to http://www.streatchefs.com/ There is an event right now to donate, buy goods to share. I'm sure it is just the start.