|
||||
|
December 13, 2001
By Katharhynn Heidelberg It’s been a mixed bag of blessings for area charities this holiday season. While some report a drastic drop in monetary contributions in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, others are experiencing greater generosity this season. The United Way of Southwest Colorado has definitely suffered a contribution shortfall. "This has been one of the hardest campaigns we’ve had," said Tara Coghlan Ammon, United Way coordinator for Montezuma County. "Volunteerism has been really good, but the amount of money coming in has been way down," she said, adding that some contributors are only able to give about half of what they contributed last year. Ammon attributes the decline in donations to the terrorist attacks. "A lot of people are sending money in that direction (New York City relief efforts), and then there’s the fear of war — people are hanging on to the rest of what they have," she said. United Way, which gives money to various county programs such as Renew, the Piñon Project and the Boy Scouts, relies on meeting its annual fundraising goal, which is set according to projected county needs. The goal is usually met by the end of the United Way’s fundraising season in October. This year, the needs tally for county programs was $100,000, and United Way is still $12,000 short, according to Ammon. If the goal is not met by January, Ammon said United Way will be forced to reduce the amount of funding it provides to local agencies. "I don’t want to have to do that," she said. "The whole thing is just really sad, but I’m not ready to give up yet." United Way is still accepting donations, and offers a quarterly billing option. This option, which splits a donation into three payments, "is an easier way for people to give a large amount," Ammon said. Those interested in making any contribution can contact her at 882-8069. The picture is not quite so grim for other charities. The Community Christmas Project is enjoying area-wide munificence this year, according to coordinator Mary Cook. "The community has really pitched in this year," she said. "I don’t know if the Sept. 11 thing has woken them up, or what, but this community takes care of its own." She added that, in the four years she has been involved with the project, "it just gets better and better. I’m really excited." She also had high praise for area businesses: "All the companies that help us out — it’s just amazing." The Community Christmas Project solicits applications from needy families each year, and after a screening process and interviews, selects those most in need. "There are not as many children in need this year — which is great!" Cook added. Donations may be arranged by phoning 564-9006. The Community Christmas Project is also holding a dance and silent auction Aaturday, starting at 9 and continuing until 1 a.m. Sunday, at the Elks Lodge. The event features the entertainment of Ellis Miller, and the public is welcome for a donation of $10 per couple. The Christian Emergency Shelter had faced desperate times in November, when donations were way down and the shelter was practically penniless. But the crisis is over for now, according to Fred Thomas, president of the shelter’s board of directors. "Most of our needs are for people to help us and for money — what charity isn’t that way?" he said. "We were really hurting" in November, but subsequent publicity about the shelter’s lack of funds helped, he said. "As a result, it just got us out of a real crunch. . . Sometimes, people don’t remember, but they are quick to respond — that’s our situation." The shelter south of Cortez provides a meal and a warm bed to alcoholics and street persons who have nowhere to go during winter months. It is designed to help prevent hypothermia deaths often associated with the toxic mix of alcoholism and cold temperatures. Thomas cited local law enforcement, the city of Cortez, and other entities as having aided the effort. Law officers this year have been able to pick up men missed by shelter volunteers during nightly collection routes, thereby saving multiple trips — and the gas they require — from the shelter into town. An additional boon has been the presence of one full-time staff person, Thomas added. "What they appreciate most is warm stew," Thomas said of the shelter’s clients. The shelter also gives out coats, socks, underwear, towels and toiletries. Yet, all the money in the world is useless without volunteers to keep the shelter going. While "the crisis is over as far as money is concerned," the shelter could use more volunteers, especially on the weekends, Thomas said. Arrangements can be made to donate even just a few hours, by phoning Thomas at 565-4496. The tragedy of Sept. 11 does not seem to have affected the local Humane Society, which works to provide low-cost spaying and neutering of pets. According to Pat Devitt, For Pets’ Sake Humane Society president, December is typically a very generous time and this year has proven no exception. "Cash donations are up; especially at this time of year, people spend a lot with us," Devitt said. The society has already netted "a couple of nice, big donations" for its upcoming annual budget, she added. Devitt said that although some fundraisers this year were disappointing, "December’s usually a good month for us. People usually remember us. We couldn’t survive" without donations. An area business donates pet food, and the Humane Society also has contracts with local boarding facilities, which allow them to board animals at a reduced rate. An upcoming bake sale will help fund the spaying and neutering of local pets. The bake sale will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, at the north entrance of City Market. Donations of cash, or baked goods to sell, will be accepted on-site. For the local Salvation Army, an increase in cash donations is coinciding with an increase in need. "We’re a little ahead of last year," in terms of donations, said Mel Heath, a self-described "soldier" in the organization. "But there seems to be more need this year." The charity is funded in part by an annual "kettle fund" operation conducted during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Volunteers fill the 256 time slots open for bell-ringing and encourage shoppers and passers-by to drop money into the army’s trademark red kettles. "This is the only time of year the Salvation Army solicits funds," Heath said. Proceeds raised through the bell-ringers’ efforts are combined with profits earned year-round from the agency’s thrift store in Dolores. The store building is donated by property owner Corky McClain. "I get a lot of questions about, ‘Where does the money go’?" Heath said, explaining that it stays in the community. The Salvation Army helps those in a pinch with food, clothing, shelter, transportation, utilities, dental concerns, medications, home repairs and counseling. It coordinates with other charities, too, ensuring that services are not duplicated — and that a charity has another organization to turn to when there is a shortfall. "The biggest need that we can’t handle all the time is rent and utilities," Heath said, "and we’re getting a lot of stranded people in town that need bus tickets." The Salvation Army is also registering more and more calls from people of all ages in need of prescription medicine. But for Heath, the area’s generosity is definitely up since Sept. 11. It "has made people aware that there are hurting, needy folks in our area — before and after the disaster. People in the county have always been very generous with time and funds." The Salvation Army’s kettle drive is ongoing outside local stores. Donations may also be mailed to the organization at P.O. Box 824, Cortez.
|
||||
|
Copyright © 2001 the Cortez
Journal. All rights reserved. |
