Dear Editor,

The Board of the High Country Auxiliary (HCA) would like to express our sincere gratitude to all who contributed to the resounding success of our recent flea market! When you donated your items, and then purchased other tools, household items, toys and more, you helped us earn over $6000 for the HCA!

Here’s a huge shout out to the volunteers – community members and firefighters - who coordinated the event, set up the tables, assisted the customers, received and counted donations, helped us clean up and haul multiple loads of the left over items to Goodwill, Denver Rescue Mission, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Of course, that was after volunteers from Ermel’s Thrift Store and Friends of Charlie’s Place selected what they could use locally.  

For those of you not familiar with the High Country Auxiliary, we are a volunteer organization that provides support for our local first responders. We provide meals when there is an extended fire call, and for the day long fire training classes. We also support the organizations with equipment and supplies to supplement their budgets.

The Gilpin Ambulance requested, and we paid for, nine emergency call alert systems for Gilpin County senior citizens. The Gilpin Sheriff’s Office is making frequent use of the drones we purchased for them and were even able to pinpoint the location of a remote fire in our county within minutes of getting the drone in the air – potentially saving us from a much larger wildfire!  Timberline Fire is getting updated cold weather, high visibility gear, and also supplies for their on-scene medical kits.  

These purchases are made possible through our annual fundraisers – the Pancake Breakfast at the Gilpin County Fair, and our Flea Market. But by far the largest source of funds that we put to work in your community are the donations that come from our generous residents.  

As you make your year-end donations, please consider donating to HCA. You can find us in the Colorado Gives Day fundraisers in November and December. Or simply mail a check to our PO Box 232, Black Hawk, CO 80422.

If you are eligible to make Qualified Charitable Distributions from your IRA, or would like to donate appreciated stocks and securities, we can work with you. HCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (#23-7101032).   

As volunteers ourselves, we are so very proud to be part of this amazing community, and want to express our thanks to everyone who makes the High Country Auxiliary, and our fundraisers, a success!

Nancy Larson, HCA Treasurer

Terri Miller, President

Michelle Sullivan, Vice President

Clare Stone, Secretary (and phenomenal coordinator of the Flea Market!)

Eddie Miller, Member at Large

High Country Auxiliary, Gilpin County