Support arises for fire victims

       Numerous Westside entities have stepped up to support Waldo Canyon Fire victims. An article about a concert by nationally touring musicians is on this page.
       Another fundraiser with live music is scheduled in Bancroft Park Sunday, July 22 from noon to 8 p.m. Called “Honor Our Heroes Day,” the event will be a pig roast, with food and desserts donated by local businesses and music by four bands (the Jerry Roskin Band, Danny and the Fried Shrimp, the Old Dogs and Susan Rissman with John Wise).
       The intent is to recognize those “who worked so tirelessly in the Waldo Fire incident to save our city and our beloved Westside and historic Colorado Avenue,” said organizer Ginny Wesley. “We are grateful for their heroic efforts made on our behalf.”
       Monetary donations will go to the “Make a Wish Mountain Shadows” Fund set up through Pikes Peak National Bank.
       Below is information that has come to the Westside Pioneer about other Westside-oriented help efforts:
  • If you attended Holmes or Coronado and lost your school pictures in the Waldo Canyon fire, you may yet be able to replace at least some of them.
           Apre Photo, a professional studio which has been shooting photos at area schools for 20-some years, is open to such a request from the Mountain Shadows neighborhood's fire victims.
           According to company owner Pete Apre, “If anybody lost photos in the fire that Apre has taken, we will look for them and reprint them at no charge.”
           He described the offer as “a small thing, but we're trying to do what we can to help.” The Apre phone is 594-9898.
  • The Discovery Trails Early Learning Academy, 3925 Centennial Blvd., is offering free summer camp enrollment (on a space-available basis) for children ages 3-6 who live in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood. The remaining camp dates are July 17-19 and 24-26.
           For more information, call 599-4370 or go to the preschool's website: discoverytrailsacademy.com.
  • Half of the proceeds from Gateway Presbyterian Church's annual yard sale will be donated to Waldo Canyon Fire relief. The sale will be Friday and Saturday, July 13-14 from 9 to 4 p.m. The church is at at 731 Castle Road.
  • The Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Road, is offering free programs to Waldo Canyon Fire evacuees and firefighters during the month of July.
  • Free tickets were being offered, on the honor system, to the first 100 Waldo Canyon Fire evacuees coming to the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo July 12 at the Norris-Penrose Event Center. Discounts were being offered to first responders, firefighters, and police officers to any of the rodeo performances July 11-14. The event is put on by the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Foundation.
  • On Independence Day, The Lodge at Garden of the Gods Club collected donations to benefit Pikes Peak United Way's Waldo Canyon Fire Victim Assistance Fund, which will support relief and recovery efforts for families and individuals affected by the fire and for the community as a whole,” a press release states. Club members and guests contributed more than $5,000, and Sunrise Company donated an additional $5,000, for a total of more than $10,000 raised.

    Westside Pioneer article