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Holiday Fund returns, seeks non-profit applicants

Staff Report

The Post Independent, Citizen Telegram and the Valley Journal are sponsoring the second annual Holiday Fund in conjunction with the Two River’s Community Foundation.”We will kick it off with a $2,000 donation, and $3 of each swap ad placed through the end of the year will go toward the fund,” said Michael Bennett, publisher of the three sponsoring newspapers. “Our goal is to raise $10,000.”Valley non-profit organizations may submit requests to receive Holiday Fund donations by Monday, Oct. 31. Letters stating the organization’s name, grant request, purpose for the monies and who will benefit from the fund should be submitted to Michael Bennett, Post Independent, 2014 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601.The first Holiday Fund raised $5,575, which went directly to assist those in need and supported the following organizations: LIFT-UP, Advocate Safehouse, Rifle Church Group, Colorado West Substance Abuse Treatment Center, Feed My Sheep Ministry, YouthZone, Colorado Mountain College Foundation, KDNK Community Radio, and Symphony in the Valley.Last year, LIFT-UP received more than $1,000 to purchase items for its annual holiday food distribution. “We try and help everyone have a great holiday,” said Mike Powell, LIFT-UP executive director. “Ultimately, it’s not LIFT-UP that helps everyone, it’s the community. We’re just the tool, like a carpenter uses a hammer.”Colorado West Substance Abuse Treatment Center was granted nearly $500 to purchase work clothing and shoes for clients. With Holiday Fund monies, Feed My Sheep Ministry bought 25 homeless people two pairs of long underwear each. Bennett said he is encouraged by the valley’s response to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts this fall, and hopes people will extend their generosity to local nonprofit organizations during the holidays.”The area has come together to support the hurricane relief effort with money, services and goods,” Bennett said. “Although in comparison the needs of Garfield County seem small, there are still many organizations that need funding.”Powell agreed.”It’s tough to make it as a non-profit,” he said. “We’re hoping that people aren’t tapped out after Hurricane Katrina. The reality is all non-profits were hurt after 9/11. We’re hopeful we can survive this one as well.”Holiday Fund donation checks can be made payable to the Two Rivers Community Foundation, with check memos indicating “Post Independent Holiday Fund.” Donations are tax-deductible and can be delivered in person or sent to: Post Independent, 2014 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601; Citizen Telegram, 132 E. Third St., Rifle, CO 81650; or Valley Journal, 467 Main St., Carbondale, CO 81623.Holiday Fund donation checks can be made payable to the Two Rivers Community Foundation, with check memos indicating “Post Independent Holiday Fund.” Donations are tax-deductible and can be delivered in person or sent to: Post Independent, 2014 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO 81601; Citizen Telegram, 132 E. Third St., Rifle, CO 81650; or Valley Journal, 467 Main St., Carbondale, CO 81623.


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