Aspen Acres Fire Community Resources and Donation Drive

07/30/2026

For those facing immediate needs, help is available. Save and share these resources to connect individuals and families affected by the wildfires with cleanup support, direct assistance, emergency gift cards and other essential services.

United Way of Southern Colorado remains committed to standing with our communities for as long as recovery takes. That's why we continue to raise funds to support long-term needs. Visit www unitedwaysoco.org/emergencyinfo to donate or learn more.

07/28/2026

🎉 We're officially open in our new home!

Beginning today, the United Way of Southern Colorado Wildfire Donation & Distribution Center is now operating from the:

📍 Recovery Assistance Center
2670 Delphinium Street
Pueblo, CO

🕛 Monday -Wednesday
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

While our address has changed, our commitment to supporting families impacted by the Southern Colorado wildfires remains stronger than ever.

Thank you, Southern Colorado, for continuing to stand with your neighbors as recovery continues.

❤️ United is the Way.

07/27/2026

What an incredible and fulfilling day for Aspen Acres Fire Community Resources & Donation Drive! ❤️

Today, I loaded up an entire truck full of donations and delivered them to Cañon City for the Free Garage Sale event, beautifully coordinated by Pat Sheets and graciously hosted by VFW Post 4061 Canon City CO. Seeing so many community members come together to ensure those affected by the Aspen Acres Fire had access to much-needed items was truly inspiring.

From there, I had the privilege of joining the wonderful Kurt Dennison to deliver hay and ranching supplies to a local rancher who has generously opened their property as a safe haven for a large number of livestock evacuated from the fire area. P.S. Thank you Kurt for braving the 105° heat with me!

Witnessing neighbors helping neighbors—both people and animals—was a powerful reminder of what community is all about.

I simply want to say thank you.

Thank you to every volunteer who has given their time, every donor who has contributed supplies, every business and organization that has opened their doors, and every member of our community who has supported these efforts in any way. Your generosity, encouragement, and compassion have turned an overwhelming situation into one filled with hope.

None of this would have been possible without each and every one of you. Because of this incredible community, we have been able to make a real and meaningful impact on the lives of our neighbors in need. Let’s keep it going!

From the bottom of my heart—thank you for believing in this mission and for standing together as one community. ❤️

07/26/2026

🚨 FREE GARAGE SALE DAY 🚨

Aspen Acres Fire Community Resources & Donation Drive is honored to support Pat Sheets and MaKenzie Deherrera in their efforts to provide for our community during this difficult time.

📍 Location: VFW Post 4061 – Cañon City
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM- 5:00 PM

Calling all evacuees and individuals affected by the Aspen Acres Fire!

We invite you to come shop FREE of charge for donated clothing, household essentials, toiletries, baby items, and other much-needed supplies. Our goal is to help families and individuals begin replacing what they’ve lost and provide support during recovery.

❤️ Everything is completely FREE—no cost, no judgment, just neighbors helping neighbors.

🌟 A HUGE thank you to Pat Sheets for the countless hours spent coordinating and organizing this outstanding event. Your dedication, compassion, and commitment to serving our community have made this day possible.

🇺🇸 A sincere thank you to VFW Post 4061 in Cañon City for generously opening your doors and providing the space to host such an impactful community event. Your support and partnership mean more than words can express.

Please help us spread the word by sharing this post so we can reach every evacuee and individual affected by the Aspen Acres Fire who may benefit from these resources.

Together, we are proving that when our community comes together, we are stronger.

07/24/2026

📦 Big news! The Donation & Distribution Center is moving!

As we continue transitioning from emergency response into long-term recovery, the United Way of Southern Colorado Wildfire Donation & Distribution Center is moving to a new home.

📅 Beginning Tuesday, July 28, you'll find us at:

📍 Recovery Assistance Center
2670 Delphinium Street
Pueblo, CO

🕛 Hours
Beginning Tuesday, July 28
Monday - Friday
12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

Thank you to every volunteer, donor, and partner who helped make our Taos Road location such an incredible success. We look forward to continuing to serve our community from our new location.

❤️ United is the Way.

07/24/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Bon Pet Supply for their incredible generosity and support of the Aspen Acres Fire Community Resources & Donation Drive!

Your thoughtful donations will make a meaningful difference for families and beloved pets impacted by the Aspen Acres Fire. Community partners like you remind us that when we come together, we can accomplish amazing things and bring hope to those who need it most.

We are truly grateful for your kindness, compassion, and commitment to helping our community recover. Thank you for standing with us and showing what community is all about!

Please join us in thanking Bon Pet Supply for their outstanding support! 👏❤️

07/24/2026

🎒📚 Community School Supply Drive Is Underway! 📚🎒

As our community continues to recover and rebuild, we're excited to officially launch our Community School Supply Drive! Together, we're working to help local students and families start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed.

A heartfelt thank you to United Way of Southern Colorado for partnering with us and helping make this effort a reality. Your support, collaboration, and dedication to our community are making a meaningful impact, and we're honored to work alongside you.

We're also thrilled about the exciting possibilities of expanding our partnerships as more organizations come together to support local children and families. When we work together, we can accomplish so much more!

📌 Community school supply drive events are in the works for the coming weeks, so stay tuned for upcoming event dates, collection opportunities, and community updates!

📍 Donation Collection: Now through August 16th. Please see our donation drive flyer for current collection locations, hours, and needs.

🤝 Interested in becoming a collection site, donating supplies, volunteering, or partnering with us? We'd love to connect!

📌 Contact Information: Valerie Newlin
📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Phone: (719) 659-5463
💬 You can also send us a Facebook message anytime.

Thank you to every individual, business, and organization helping invest in the future of our students. Together, we're building a stronger community—one backpack, one partnership, and one student at a time. We can't wait to share more exciting updates and see what we can accomplish together! ❤️

07/22/2026

Hello everyone,

I want to sincerely apologize for the lack of posts and updates over the past week. I’ve been dealing with a personal health issue that required my full attention, but I am deeply grateful for your patience and understanding during this brief pause.

Operations and regular updates should resume starting tomorrow!

In the meantime, if anyone has any questions, needs assistance, or is looking for available resources, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you all again for your incredible kindness, ongoing support, and the profound impact you continue to make in helping our neighbors in need. You all are truly amazing! 🖤

Send a message to learn more

07/18/2026

🔥 Aspen Acres Fire Update | July 17, 2026

The Aspen Acres Fire continues to challenge firefighters across Pueblo and Custer counties, growing to 99,820 acres while remaining 36% contained. More than 850 structures, including at least 337 homes, have been destroyed as over 1,800 firefighters work around the clock to strengthen containment lines and protect nearby communities.

Although crews have made significant progress, the wildfire remains an active threat. Residents are urged to follow evacuation orders, monitor official updates, and avoid restricted areas as changing weather conditions could increase fire activity.

📌 To know more, please check the link in the comments.