Tom Kalinski, RE/MAX of Boulder
Boulder County residents have been hard-hit by the gut-wrenching devastation wrought by the Marshall Fire that so quickly swept through our communities. None are so impacted as those who tragically lost so much and now face a long road to recovery.
In an outpouring of love and generosity, the Boulder County community has come together quickly to help in any and every way possible.
Today we want to add our support by sharing resources for housing and financial assistance for those who need help as well as information for the many who want to donate money, time and goods.
Housing assistance
One critical way to support our friends, family and dear neighbors is through donating to help with short- and long- term housing needs for those whose homes were lost or damaged. Many survivors will need housing for the next year or more while they sort through the details of rebuilding their home.
The link below will take you to the fund to provide housing relief, set up by Colorado Association of Realtors® and BOLO Realtors®. We invite you to join us to give in support of our Colorado neighbors in crisis. Visit coloradorealtors.charityproud.org/Donate/Index/17404.
Boulder County Disaster Assistance
Boulder County Disaster Assistance Center’s Southeast Hub offers a comprehensive range of services from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week at 1755 South Public Road in Lafayette. Services include:
• Consultation on property loss and filing claims for assistance
• Gift cards for replacement of food and transportation costs
• Information about short- and long-term housing
• Help with vital records
• Referrals to emergency shelter
• Food assistance
• Mental health services
• COVID-19 tests
• Transportation vouchers
• Referrals for personal finance planning
Donate goods
Many of our community members want to donate new items or those in good condition. The recently opened Marshall Fire Donation and Resource Center is collecting donations at Flatirons Crossing Mall in the former Nordstrom’s location between Macy’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Visit the website for details and lists of items needed as well as those not accepted: boulderoem.com/marshall-fire-donations-and-resource-center.
Financial assistance
In a recent news conference, Governor Jared Polis pointed out a little-known source of financial help for those impacted by the fire – the Small Business Administration offers 30 year loans of up to $200,000 at 30 years at 1.8% interest for those who qualify. Governor Polis noted that the average FEMA payout for Marshall Fire survivors is $6,000, making other sources of funds like the SBA loans and other donations from individuals and foundations crucial to help survivors put their lives back together.
Community Foundation Boulder County is one such stand-out organization. With the help of over 57,000 individuals, foundations and companies, the organization has already raised $19.5 million in donations both locally and internationally, according to CEO Tatiana Hernandez. The organization has distributed $3.8 million to nearly 1,400 individuals and families. You can donate at coloradogives.org/bouldercountywildfirefund.
“We do hope this initial donation gives people a small sense of stability while they try to navigate what comes next,” Hernandez said. “It has truly taken a village to wrap our arms around our friends and neighbors.”
“Our community has, as it always does, shown up for each other in an enormous way. We are still at the beginning of a long road, but I know our community will rebuild better and stronger than it was before,” noted Hernandez.
For additional resources for those who need help and those who want to help, visit remaxofboulder-remaxelevate.com.
By Tom Kalinski. Tom is the broker/owner of RE/MAX of Boulder, the local residential real estate company he established in 1977. He was inducted into Boulder County’s Business Hall of Fame in 2016 and has a 40-year background in commercial and residential real estate. For questions, email Tom at [email protected],
call 303.441.5620, or visit boulderco.com.
