A stop at The Denver Post’s Cheyenne Frontier Days Train bound for Cheyenne on Saturday morning wasn’t just a welcome respite for Gov. John Hickenlooper. He used the time to muster financial support for those affected by the tragic event at the Century Aurora 16 theater.
The money he collects will be offered as a match to donations received through .
“His goal is to raise as much as he can,” says Cheryl Haggstrom, executive vice president of GivingFirst.org’s parent organization, the . “At the time that he boarded the train, he had close to $200,000 in hand. We are thrilled that we can partner with him on this; it is going to make a tremendous difference.”
Hickenlooper did not make the trip to Cheyenne.
Haggstrom says those visiting GivingFirst.org will find a list of nonprofit organizations that will be providing aid and that donors can select the agency or agencies to which they want to direct their funds.
They include Aurora Mental Health Center, Mental Health America of Colorado, Metro Crisis Services and Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance.
, meanwhile, is hosting a Blanket Blitz for Aurora on Sunday. There will be two locations where volunteers will be making blankets to be distributed to children affected by the shooting: Parker Library, 10851 S. Crossroads Drive in Parker, and 5605 S. Lee St. in Littleton. Sessions run from 1 to 4 p.m., and attendees are asked to bring lengths of polar fleece and sharp sewing scissors.
The is hosting an afternoon of healing from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at 15528 E. Hampden Circle in Aurora. It is free and open to the public, although contributions of bottled water, juice and other refreshments are encouraged.
has crisis counselors on duty around the clock to help people cope; they can be reached at 303-617-2300. Children’s Hospital Colorado also has a family support line: 720-777-2300.
Other support-service providers include Aurora therapist who is offering a free initial counseling session to children and families; the Trauma Treatment Center of Colorado’s Dr. Lee Baker (303-790-5585); and the , where a coalition of caregiving organizations will be holding a series of open-door support groups, starting at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Heartlight Center is at 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave. in Aurora.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/getitwrite
