Dear Editor,

Last year, you were invaluable in helping the Red Cross shelter our neighbors from Grand County and Estes Park who were evacuated due to the massive wildfires in Colorado. When we were in dire need across the state, the mountain communities stepped up immediately and in large numbers -- I think 25-50 of you signed up within the first 24 hours of our plea for help, and in total, we had 75 new / prospective people from Gilpin, Nederland, and the surrounding areas step up. Thank you again for all your help!

The non-congregate sheltering we did last year in hotels was highly irregular because of COVID; typically, the Red Cross provides congregate sheltering on cots in a large space such as a recreation center, etc. Because we know another disaster can strike at a moment’s notice, especially in our great state that is highly vulnerable to wildfires with the pine beetle kill, etc., we are offering free training this coming weekend for traditional Red Cross congregate sheltering. We’d love to have you join us if you can, and we’d appreciate your help in getting the word out to friends and neighbors as well. Please RSVP to Amy Skinner or Richard Brandon (Amy@peaktopeakcounseling.com 303-258-7454 x2) if you can attend so we can have enough supplies.

Shelter Training this Sunday, October 17, we will be offering live, in-person training to become a Red Cross shelter worker along with a hands-on exercise to put your skills into practice. It will be a full day from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday, October 17, at the Gilpin County Rec Center 250 Norton Drive, Black Hawk, Colorado, 80422. RSVP to Amy Skinner or Richard Brandon (Amy@peaktopeakcounseling.com 303-258- 7454 x2).

Thank you,

Joan Cernich

Peak to Peak