Organizers of the Summit County Cares campaign are seeking donations to meet the goal for the annual fundraiser, which ends Friday. The campaign began on Nov. 1, 2010 and has raised $25,000 of its $45,000 target. One-hundred percent of the money raised goes to emergency assistance: helping families stay in their homes, keeping heat and electricity on and providing any medical care they need. Donations also benefit clients of Advocates for Victims of Assault, the Summit Community Care Clinic and Social Services.

Last year, Summit County Cares raised $39,000 of its $40,000 goal. The $39,000 lasted until this past September and helped 350 parents and children. Anita Overmyer, development and volunteer director of the Family & Intercultural Resources Center helping organize the drive, said goal is to make money raised from the Summit County Cares campaign last throughout the whole year.

“We saw a 40 percent increase in rent assistance last year,” Overmyer said. “That's why our goal for this year has increased. Without this money we can't pay bills. This is a critical fundraiser.”

Overmyer said Grand Lodge on Peak 7 has put a challenge out to businesses, offering to match up to $5,000 in donations. She said the extra $10,000 would help Summit County Cares get that much closer to its goal.

“We do take donations year round, but now is the time to raise funds for people facing emergency situations.”

Real people, real needs

To illustrate the kinds of situations where the emergency assistance fund can help, Overmyer provided some actual case studies:

Maria is a single mother with a 14-year-old daughter and a sister with special needs. Maria and her family have been living in Summit County for over eight years, and Maria has been working for a local resort for over five. After being laid off from work for a month, Maria found herself unable to support her family. She began using local food banks, community dinners and gift certificates to FIRC's thrift store, Summit Thrift & Treasure in Dillon, to provide for her family. Still, Maria was unable to cover rent and facing homelessness — a situation she has never experienced. FIRC was able to provide $475 to cover her December rent so her family could stay in their home.

Maria said she's very grateful to all of the donors.

“Thank you so much for helping my family in this time of need. We would be homeless if it weren't for this assistance. My disabled sister and young daughter would have suffered greatly. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.”

In another case, a single mother of five children — two of whom have special needs and two of currently serving in the military — turned to FIRC after her electricity and heat had been disconnected for two days. The family's food was going bad and the house was so cold at night the family had to sleep in the same bed. Her youngest son with special needs couldn't comprehend why the house was dark and cold.

A successful mortgage broker until her company collapsed three years ago, the mother recently became unexpectedly unemployed. Soon, she will be starting a new job.

“I just needed to make it through this month. Without FIRC's help, I don't know how I would have gotten my children through this situation. It's very humbling to have everything one day and now be in a situation like this, another. With my deepest gratitude, thank you to all who donated to this fund. I don't think donors realize the true impact their money can make on a family's life. I just needed a little help to get back on my feet.”

To donate or learn more, visit www.summitfirc.org. You can also donate directly through a fund set up through the Summit Foundation: www.summitfoundation.org.