Funds are available for flood relief projects

RI Director Andy Smallwood and Rotarians of Zones 21b and 27 and beyond:

Imagine… Please imagine if you can … the unimaginable disaster in Colorado.  Yet some of us in Boulder and along the Colorado Front Range found ourselves without the most basic necessities that we take for granted every day; things as basic as brushing our teeth, drinking clean water, driving our cars, feeling secure with safe roads and bridges, having a warm and comfortable home and shelter  -  all gone in a few days.  An entire mobile home park is destroyed with a population of hard working folks who have little means for alternative housing, no insurance, or ability to go to work.  Several lost their lives and many lost the security of home, perhaps forever.  The suffering and hardship that follows displaced communities and disrupted support systems are harsh on all, especially our children.       Abbas Rajabi, District 5450, Colorado Flood Disaster Fund Committee

As Rotarians our concerns and compassion go to our fellow Front Range Coloradoans that have been impacted by the recent unprecedented flood disaster. To provide a safe and credible opportunity for Rotarians and others to contribute to the disaster relief effort, District 5450 and District 5440 have established funds to collect contributions.

To contribute to the District 5450 fund please click on:  www.drcf.denverrotary.org.  If you would like to send a check, made it payable to the Denver Rotary Club Foundation with “Flood Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo line and mail to:

            Colorado Rotary Flood Disaster Relief Fund

            c/o The Denver Rotary Club Foundation

            1900 Grant Street, Suite 850

            Denver, CO  80203

To contribute to the District 5440 fund:  Please send a check made payable to “District 5440 Foundation” with “Colorado Disaster Relief Fund” noted in the memo line and mail to:

PDG George McIlvanie

District 5440 Foundation

2823 Olive Drive

Cheyenne, WY 82001-5736

If your contribution is less than $250.00 your cancelled check is your receipt.  Both The Denver Rotary Club Foundation (Federal Tax ID 23-7154562) and the District 5440 Foundation (Federal Tax ID 45-4168435) are 501(c)(3) not for profit organizations.

       Portions of our Districts have been heavily impacted by the massive flooding, mud slides and high water.  The flooding covered 4500 square miles (equal to the entire State of Connecticut) and isolated many communities.  There was widespread destruction of infrastructure.  Over 18,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged.  The cost estimates are approaching 20 billion dollars.  We are slowly recovering, however there is much work to be done and it may literally take years for some of our communities to be back to normal.

While it is still too soon to get a complete picture of the long term devastating impact on people and property in Colorado from the recent flooding, Rotarians from all over have expressed their willingness to help however they can. At this time the most important assistance from Rotary and Rotarians will be financial. 

This is a time that will test our resolve as citizens and Rotarians.  We are pleased that several Rotary Clubs and many Rotarians have already made considerable effort to help those in need and we convey a heartfelt thank you to those Clubs and Rotarians.

Any assistance you can give will be greatly appreciated.

Dan Himelspach                                                         Julie Phares

District Governor D5450                                           District Governor D5440

DG13-14@DisputeManagementInc.com                   jap@insurance-associates.com