Chaffee County Women Who Care donate $10,500
Chaffee County Hospitality (CCH) was awarded $10,500 as the fourth quarter, 2020 gift from Chaffee County Women Who Care.
At the October 13 Women Who Care meeting, three 5-minute presentations were made for non-profit organizations in Chaffee County. Luz Diaz-Porter, a member of Women Who Care, spoke on behalf of CCH outlining the non- profit’s needs and how the money would be used if they were chosen. When the votes were tallied, CCH was declared the recipient of the $10,500 award.
The money will be used to provide emergency winter shelter for men, women, and families in Chaffee County who have no access to housing or shelter in the dangerously cold winter months.
The shelter for men is at The Lighthouse, 346 G Street, and for women at First Christian Church, 302 Fourth Street, both in Salida. Entire families who need shelter are housed in a local motel. The shelters have paid supervision during the 8:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. hours of operation. The total budget for the 2020-2021 season is $76,000 which is used to pay the night staff and to purchase cold weather supplies and sleeping bags, tents, etc.
CCH is a newly formed non-profit organization, though some of the sheltering services have been provided in the past on a more informal basis.
Rev. Tom Abbott, President of CCH, said this about the $10,500 contribution, “I am not sure how to thank the Women Who Care for choosing Chaffee County Hospitality Inc. for their October charity, but we are exceedingly grateful. Your gift will go a long way toward helping us provide shelter for our homeless neighbors through the winter months.”
Chaffee County Women Who Care has been awarding grants to local charities since October of 2018. Chaffee County women who are interested in joining can send an email to [email protected] to request more information.