Help pouring in for flood-relief efforts

Northern Colorado businesses and nonprofits have raised more than $5 million to help those who’ve lost homes and businesses because of the Great Flood of 2013.

Major and minor contributions began flowing into relief agencies in Larimer and Weld counties almost as quickly as the floodwaters rose, according to a compilation of donations developed by the Business Report.

Cash donations from the oil and gas community, for instance, are at $1.5 million and rising, according to the Colorado Oil and Gas Association, while United Way of Larimer County said it has received cash and commitments for more than $340,000, with donations continuing to flow.

Through Oct. 31, Jax Fish House in Fort Collins is donating 25 cents to flood relief for every oyster sold. But that’s not all. What follows is a partial compilation of community contributions to flood relief through Oct. 1:

• Colorado Oil & Gas Association has donated more than $1.5 million to the Red Cross. The association is made up of 29 companies, including Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Conoco-Phillips, Noble Energy and Xcel Energy. The $1.5 million reported does not include personal donations made by industry employees, some of which are being matched by companies.

• JBS USA has contributed more than $200,000 to the American Red Cross through United Way of Weld County. That is up from the $40,000 reported since Sept. 17. JBS USA challenged corporate employees to contribute to flood relief with the promise to match those contributions dollar for dollar. A JBS spokesperson said the donations still are coming in.

• Bohemian Foundation has pledged up to $750,000 for the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado to be distributed to flood relief efforts in Estes Park, Loveland, the Poudre River and surrounding communities. The funds will be matched dollar-for-dollar through Oct. 31.

• Encana Corp. issued charity grants in Weld and Boulder counties, totaling $250,000. A pledge to match employee donations up to $25,000 also was initiated. Recipients of the grants included Weld County United Way and Foothills United Way.

• Greeley radio station KUNC-FM 91.5 donated $10,657 to the Foothills Flood Relief Fund. Funds were raised by pledging to donate 50 percent of all ticket sales for Ira Glass’ Reinventing Radio on Sept. 21.

• Sandra Moffett of SHE Productions, and Jeri and Paul Stark, founders of Whitebird Productions, raised $5,000 through Floodstock 2013, a two-day flood-relief music benefit that was held Sept. 28-29. The donation was presented to the United Way of Larimer County.

• Bank of Colorado in Weld County has offered to match donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Contributions will be given to the Weld County Flood Relief Fund.

• Broadcast media across Colorado raised more than $1.1 million during “Colorado Flood Relief,” a live fundraiser that took place Sept. 18. An interview with Gov. John Hickenlooper and a message from Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning were broadcast via radio and television, spurring donations. Hosted by Rocky Mountain PBS, Encana Corp. underwrote the event in addition to its contribution. Participating stations included Rocky Mountain PBS, Colorado Public Television, KUNC, KUVO in Denver, KGNU in Boulder, KRCC in Colorado Springs, KAFM in Grand Junction and KVNF in Paonia, joined by commercial television stations KCNC, KDVR, KMGH, KUSA and KWGN in Denver, KKTV in Colorado Springs, KKCO and KJCT in Grand Junction, Azteca Colorado, KDEN Telemundo and Entravision. The money was distributed to the American Red Cross, Community Food Share, serving Boulder and Broomfield counties, The Food Bank for Larimer County and Weld Food Bank.

• Oskar Blues Brewery, based in Lyons, established an online fundraiser that brought in $19,415 in funds from 121 donors. Additionally, the Oskar Blues CAN’d Aid Foundation has been collecting donations for Colorado flood relief. To date, the foundation has raised more than $45,000. Oskar Blues locations also donating $1 for every beer sold through Oct. 13, and the brewery also has plans to donate a percentage of revenue to flood relief efforts.

• Whole Foods Market stores in Colorado, Utah, Idaho and New Mexico donated 5 percent of all sales on Sept. 26 to flood relief efforts. Together, the stores raised $89,694 for the American Red Cross.

• Colorado State University raised $23,100 through its Colorado Disaster Relief program, CSUCARES, by way of internal donations and specialty T-shirt sales. These funds are redistributed as grants to CSU faculty, staff and students directly affected by the flood. Grants can be applied for at advancing.colostate.edu/CSUCARES/APPLY. Awards will vary depending on availability and need, but generally do not exceed $2000. The CSUCARES program was established last year after the High Park Fire.

• Jax Fish House in Fort Collins is donating 25 cents of every oyster sold to flood relief through Oct. 31. It is planning a fundraising event to be held in October.

• Denkai Sanctuary in Weld County has teamed with Colorado Horsecare Foodbank and raised $17,000 for animal food purchases and aid to help those affected by the flood.

• Gannett’s Fort Collins Coloradoan and 9News partnered to donate $10,000 to the Red Cross.

• Odell Brewery is planning a farm-to-fork benefit dinner to be held at the brewery, with 100 percent of all ticket sales being given to flood relief efforts.

• Fish Restaurant in Fort Collins will donate 12 percent of all sales on Oct. 4 to flood relief.

• Verizon Wireless approved $20,000 in disaster relief to be given to the American Red Cross. It also has provided a “text to donate” campaign for Verizon carriers, with proceedsd going to the Red Cross. Customers can text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Up to five $10 donations can be made through the text campaign, according to a statement from the company. Additionally, the Verizon Foundation will match employee donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,000 per employee.

• Royal Bank of Canada announced a $25,000 donation by RBC Foundation USA to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for Colorado flood relief and humanitarian efforts.

• New Belgium Brewery will host a 5 Point Film on the Road event Oct. 5 at Civic Center Park in Fort Collins. The event will include a community tailgate party with local food, New Belgium beers, music and lawn games. A series of short films will be shown from dark until 10 p.m. The event is free, however, donations are being accepted and will be given to United Way of Larimer County for long-term flood recovery.

• United Way of Larimer County received $240,000 for its long-term relief program as of Sept. 27, with an additional commitment of $100,000.

• The Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld County and United Way of Weld County have established a long-term recovery fund to help victims in Weld County. The fund has reached $701,818 and applications will be available Oct. 4.

• Budweiser Events Center in Loveland is teaming with the Colorado Flood Foundation to host a Neighbors Helping Neighbors Benefit Concert on Oct. 17, with a goal to raise at least $100,000 for flood victims. Concert tickets are $20 per person and 100 percent of all sales will go to the foundation.

• Banner Health employees have contributed $45,375 to flood relief since Sept. 16. The total is made up of donations to Banner’s Support Our Staff annual giving campaign, as well as additional donations in direct response to the flood.

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