Black Forest Together raised more than $14,000 at its first-ever fundraising event held Oct. 7 in Black Forest, Colorado.The grassroots nonprofit raised a total of $14,081 from the weekend event – $8,330 from donations. The remaining $5,751 came from meals, a silent auction and hat sales.The funds will help cover BFTís operating expenses.Hosted at the Black Forest Community Center, the fundraiser drew about 230 community members; including volunteers of the organization. Eddie and Nancy Bracken created BFT in August 2013 to help the community recover from the Black Forest Fire that raged through the area in June 2013 ó burning 14,280 acres, 22.31 square miles and 509 homes.It was the most destructive fire in the stateís history.ìThe day after the fire (began) … (Eddie) looked at me and said, ëWe have got to do something to help these people.í I said, ëYes, we do,íî said Nancy Bracken, whose home was just a half-mile from the destruction.The Brackens were joined by 60 Black Forest residents willing to donate their time to help their hometown literally rise from the ashes.ìSix months later, we were up to 600 volunteers. Itís wonderful having the community here, four-and-a-half years later, and to have people in this room who were volunteers then and are still volunteers now,î Nancy Bracken said.Invited by his friend, Calandra Vargas, who lives north of Black Forest; El Paso County Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez Jr. also attended the event.ìI recall the devastation that took place and understand how recovery from disasters can be long and costly, and I wanted to support (Black Forest Together) efforts,î said Gonzalez, who represents the countyís District 4, which includes Fountain, Security/Widefield and portions of Colorado Springs.ìBlack Forest Together is a great example of community engagement that is working for the betterment of all affected,î Gonzalez said.The organization has completed more than 250 recovery and fire mitigation projects to date. In 2016, BFT completed 72 projects and put in 4,000 volunteer hours, said Eddie Bracken, BFT chairman.Black Forest Togetherís Annual Report for 2016 states that 172 acres of green forest were mitigated last year. This includes 35 acres of land at La Foret, a nearby unincorporated area known best for its historic conference and retreat venue nestled in the forest.Volunteers have also transplanted about 350 trees through the summer of 2017, Eddie Bracken said.ìThe work over the years is an outstanding example of a unified community and of their resiliency. …†But it also highlighted that there is still a long way to go for a full recovery, and that fire threat mitigation is a never-ending effort to protect against another fire,î Gonzalez said.For the last four years, BFT worked to restore Black Forest. Now, itís turning its focus to fire mitigation, said Bill Mantia, vice president and recovery projects director. ìWeíre coordinating with fire districts, fire services, homeowners associations and the community at large to talk about how to prevent fires,î Mantia said.Mantia lost his home and a rental property on 20 acres in the 2013 fire. After all 20 of his acres were burned, he spent the next six months recovering before he joined BFT.With his home and rental property rebuilt, Mantia can focus on serving his community.ìWe ask that people volunteer or donate,î he said. ìThis is all about community and how we can help each other. This cannot be done without volunteers.îIn a post on the organizationís website, Black Forest Together thanked the community, the donors and volunteers for the success of the Oct. 7 event.With funds from government-issued grants, such as those from the Department of Natural Resources and Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, running low, Black Forest Together must rely on volunteers and the community now more than ever.ìThe bottom line is we need support for our immediate needs,î Eddie Bracken said.Without funds, the organization may be forced to close its doors and liquidate its assets.However, Mantia said the money raised from the fundraising event is expected to keep BFT operational through the summer of 2018.ìWe will continue to apply for corporate and foundation grants, as well as private and commercial donations and sponsorships to supplement these funds,î he said.The county is willing to help, too.ìThe county will continue to work with Black Forest Together and others through the resident commissioner (Darryl Glenn) on recovery and mitigation efforts,î Gonzales said.†ìWe will continue our collaborative efforts with residents and … identifying grant opportunities, as well as continue supporting initiatives such as the free-to-residents ëslash/mulchí program in Black Forest.îTo volunteer or donate, visit Black Forest Together at http://blackforesttogether.org.
