While the threat of the Fourmile Canyon fire may be lessening, according to a press release, the needs of its victims are just beginning and the University of Colorado Student Government is stepping in to help.
“We consider the community to be family and we want to do all that we can to help,” said Allison Foley, the CUSG vice president of external affairs.
From Sept. 14 through 17, CUSG will be holding a coin drive with the Red Cross from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dalton Trumbo Fountain outside the UMC, Foley said.
“That way students don’t feel intimidated to help, every little bit counts and it all adds up,” Foley said.
Nathan Cook, CUSG’s finance board chair, said those accepting collections will be wearing crimson shirts and holding large water jugs to collect money.
Once all the money is collected, the Red Cross will then be in charge of distributing the donations among the fire victims, Foley said.
CUSG is also working with Off-Campus Student Services to make Ralphie’s List, an online compilation of off-campus housing, available to the fire victims, Foley said.
“Landlords can post housing ability and allow it to be wildfire relief, so victims of the fire can figure out their [housing] situation for the next few months,” Foley said.
CUSG has plans as well to work with daycare providers through housing services in order to make daycare available for families affected by the Fourmile Canyon Fire, Foley said.
While the definitive details are uncertain, Foley said, a clothing driving with the Red Cross later this week may also be in the works.
“The Red Cross, in terms of the amount of clothes they’ve received, is already overwhelming,” Foley said. “Our main focus is definitely the coin drive.”
Students on campus feel CUSG’s plans will be beneficial to the community.
“I think it’s really good,” said Liz Klasinski, a 19-year-old sophomore English major. “A lot of people have been affected; it’s good that they’re raising money to help.”
Bobby Ryden, a 23-year-old senior Spanish and philosophy major said he agreed.
“It’s a good idea,” Ryden said. “It shows people are concerned about it and they want to do things to help.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Rose Heaphy at Josephine.heaphy@colorado.edu.
