Marshall Fire Designated Fund Update: March 2022
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church (CTS) in Louisville, CO established a Marshall Fire Fund on December 31, 2021, to financially support survivors of the devastating Marshall Fire in a way that has no strings and is beyond the official channels of support like insurance and government agencies.
To date we have received approximately $189,000 in monetary gifts and gift cards from as far away as Singapore. We have distributed $107,000 to survivors through a combination of responding to requests as well as unsolicited gifts to those in our family who have lost their homes or have been displaced for a period of time. CTS and the Rocky Mountain Synod have combined to cover administrative expenses so that 100% of the Marshall Fire Fund donations go to survivors. For those who have been a part of this generosity – THANK YOU!
Our fund vision is to distribute up to 50% of our monthly balance to the most impacted folks and up to 25% to other survivor needs including outreach to survivors outside of CTS for as long as we have funds within the three-year journey of recovery and rebuilding that we anticipate. Ongoing contributions allow us to continue this ministry which has been a very tangible sign of care to our brothers and sisters. If you would like to contribute to this ministry, you can use CTS’ online giving portal or make checks out to Christ the Servant with “MFDF” in the memo and sent to CTS at 506 Via Appia, Louisville, CO 80027. Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder, the Rocky Mountain Synod, and Lutheran Disaster Response are also taking donations.
As people of faith, we know that there is no such thing as “just praying.” Beyond money, please know that your prayers are sustaining us.
Thank you and God Bless
Marshall Fire Fund Committee
CTS Lutheran Church
Note and Request from Christ the Servant in Louisville
Thank you all so much for your willingness to help survivors in our community at Christ the Servant. We have had a lull in our needs, but this week we have 2 families moving home and/or unpacking soft goods which have been cleaned from smoke damage.
If you have volunteers eager to help, we could use their help this week and next week. With this falling during spring break for our community, many of our volunteers are unavailable. That said, for teens who are home during spring break, this is a great opportunity to help.
The sign up genius has been updated with opportunities to fill the following needs:
- Provide a meal! We need 7 meals this week!
- Unpack soft goods and restore items to rooms and closets
- Hang curtains, make up beds, put away toys
- Inventory non-salvageable items (kid clothes) for insurance
- Pack up items at an airbnb and help get the the house ready for move-out
- Assist with delivery of items to the dump, CHARM, donation centers
- Organize quilts and prayer shawls donated to survivors at Christ the Servant
Christ the Servant survivors and volunteers are grateful to our friends at other churches for the ongoing support we have received. We thank you for caring for us.
Peace to you,
Whitney Hillestad (she/her/hers)
CTS Chrysalis Team, Volunteer Coordinator
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church
ctschrysalisteam@gmail.com
Current Opportunities
Bethlehem Lutheran Church has been partnered with Christ the Servant (Louisville) and Trinity (Boulder) through the synod program Connect. Pray. Love. Our partner week is April 10-16 (Holy Week). Watch the Weekly Email for ways we can connect with, pray for, and love our neighbors.
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, our most affected ELCA congregation in Louisville, has begun “a long-term, survivor-centered care plan to support the survivors of the Marshall Fire” called The Chrysalis Initiative.
Background
The Marshall Fire swept through the communities of Superior and Louisville on December 30, 2021. As of January 4, 2022, more than 15 families holding membership in the Rocky Mountain Synod (RMS) and 2 families of RMS pastors were among the hundreds who lost their homes.
The Rocky Mountain Synod has formed a Disaster Response Team which oversees and disperses synod funding for disaster survivors, works in partnership with other community disaster response groups, and seeks opportunities for our congregations to serve.
On-Going Opportunities to Serve
To volunteer through Bethlehem Lutheran or the Boulder-Broomfield Conference: https://forms.gle/Fuze9aDEMbAkhUcg8
To volunteer to support recovery efforts: https://coloradoresponds.communityos.org/
On-Going Opportunities to Donate
To donate materials, food, water, and services (discounted, free, or otherwise): https://bouldercounty.wufoo.com/forms/donations/ or https://sistercarmen.org/marshall-fire-relief/
Rocky Mountain Synod Fire Relief Donation: https://tithe.ly/give?c=64074
Christ the Servant Lutheran Church Donation: https://secure.myvanco.com/YJYT/campaign/C-11TKH
Boulder County Wildfire Fund (managed by Community Foundation Boulder County): https://www.coloradogives.org/COfires
If you would like to help provide housing in response to this disaster, Airbnb’s Open Homes Program helps connect those who have been displaced with willing hosts in the area. They are accepting new host sign-ups at https://www.airbnb.com/
BLC 